Ford 'Old Crow' Mustang GT Pays Tribute To P-51, Packs 710 HP
And it’s heading to auction on July 25th.
During World War II, triple ace pilot Colonel Bud Anderson nicknamed his P-51 Mustang fighter plane “The Old Crowe” after the bottom-shelf bourbon whiskey with the same name. Anderson served two tours of combat during WWII as a member of the 363rd Fighter Squadron and 30 years total in the armed forces. Now, 77 years after Anderson’s first year of service, Ford is honoring the legendary vet the only way it knows how: with a one-off Mustang.
The “Old Crow” Mustang GT (first teased in June) is a collaboration between Ford and Roush. It wears a ton exterior upgrades, as you noticed, most notably a P-51-inspired paint scheme. The new visuals sit atop Roush rear fascia aerofoils, a Ford Performance front racing spoiler, a 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 rear spoiler, custom heat extractors on the hood, and blue rainbow-tinted exhaust tips inspired by the plane with which this Mustang shares its namesake. But the upgrades aren’t just skin deep.
Underhood, the Roush-supercharged 5.0-liter V8 packs a whopping 710 horsepower (529 kilowatts) and 610 pound-feet (827 Newton-meters) of torque. Ford’s factory MagneRide damping system comes standard, but Roush upgraded the internals with a new air induction system and X pipe, while Ford Performance tacked on an active exhaust. The entire upgraded pony car sits on a set of custom 20-inch lightweight Roush wheels wrapped in 275/35R Continental ExtremeContact sport tires.
Inside, much like the exterior, a military-inspired cabin gives customers the feeling of a fighter jet cockpit. Handsome military green leather coats the dash and part of the door panels, canvas brown leather covers the seats (with Sparco four-point harnesses) and sections of the doors, too. A red shifter nob and door handles, meanwhile, help offset the look, while the “P-51” wordmark adorns the passenger-side dashboard. And in case you’re wondering, there are no seats in the back.
“Heroes like Col. Bud Anderson have become true living legends in the 75 years since the Allied invasion of Normandy,” said Craig Metros, Ford design director. “Ford is proud to team up with Roush Performance to honor Col. Anderson and all of the brave servicemen and servicewomen who risked their lives during World War II, all while raising funds for the Experimental Aircraft Association, which helps make flying more accessible to America’s youth.”
The custom Mustang hits the auction block at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2019 AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 25th. Ford doesn’t have an estimate as to much it might go for, but all proceeds will benefit the EAA’s youth and adult aviation programs.
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Ford and Roush Performance today unveil the 2019 “Old Crow” Mustang GT, a charity collaboration project which pays homage to World War II triple ace pilot Colonel Bud Anderson of the U.S. Army Air Force and the legendary P-51 Mustang fighter planes he flew in combat – nicknamed “Old Crow.”
This one-of-one Mustang will be auctioned at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2019 AirVenture air show on July 25 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. All proceeds will be donated to support EAA’s youth and adult aviation programs, many of which help prepare the next generation of America’s great pilots.
Built by Roush Performance, the “Old Crow” Mustang GT features a custom paint scheme and badging replicating Col. Anderson’s iconic P-51 Mustang fighter plane. A custom Roush grille with P-51 Mustang badge adorns the front, the words “Old Crow” are written on the hood and an authentic Eighth Air Force emblem badge adorns the decklid panel.
Performance in the “Old Crow” Mustang GT comes by way of a Ford and Roush Performance TVS R2650 supercharger, which boosts the 5.0-liter V8 engine to 710 horsepower and 610 lb.-ft. of torque. Other performance upgrades include a Roush Performance cold air induction system and X pipe, plus a custom active exhaust system from Ford Performance.
The “Old Crow” Mustang uses Ford’s MagneRide® damping system and puts power to the ground through a set of custom 20-inch lightweight Roush wheels wrapped in 275/35R Continental ExtremeContact sport tires.
Exterior enhancements include Roush rear fascia aerofoils, Ford Performance front racing spoiler, 2020 Mustang Shelby® GT500® rear spoiler, custom heat extractors on the hood and blue rainbow tinted exhaust tips that emulate the exhaust on the P-51 Mustang planes.
Inside the cabin, a fully custom, aircraft-inspired interior features unique military-themed green leather and canvas and red shifter nob and door handles. “P-51” is written on the passenger-side dashboard. The vehicle includes Sparco four-point harness as well as aluminum rear seat-delete.
“Heroes like Col. Bud Anderson have become true living legends in the 75 years since the Allied invasion of Normandy,” said Craig Metros, Ford design director. “Ford is proud to team up with Roush Performance to honor Col. Anderson and all of the brave servicemen and servicewomen who risked their lives during World War II, all while raising funds for the Experimental Aircraft Association, which helps make flying more accessible to America’s youth.”
Col. Anderson achieved more than 16 aerial victories in Europe during World War II. He flew 116 combat missions, including a six-hour mission on D-Day. He was never struck by enemy fire or forced to withdraw from an aerial engagement during his career. Col. Anderson’s service earned him more than 25 decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Air Medal.
Roush Enterprises founder and aviation enthusiast Jack Roush, Sr. honored Col. Anderson in 1994 by fully re-creating an authentic P-51 Mustang aircraft with the same badging and paint scheme as the Anderson’s “Old Crow” Mustang plane.
“It is truly special to have the opportunity to honor a great American hero and a truly great friend of mine such as Col. Bud Anderson,” said Roush, Sr.. “My father instilled in me a love of aviation and a deep respect for the brave pilots and airmen of World War II. Building this incredible ‘Old Crow’ Mustang, especially to support the next generation of America’s pilots, has been a very rewarding opportunity and one that we’re proud to share with the world.”
The “Old Crow” Mustang GT will be displayed during EAA’s AirVenture show from July 22-28. EAA AirVenture guests can get an up-close look before the car is auctioned on July 25 at the annual EAA AirVenture auction – The Gathering.
EAA AirVenture attracts more than 600,000 aviation enthusiasts to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin every year. Ford has supported EAA AirVenture for 21 years, building and donating 11 custom-designed vehicles to help raise more than $3.5 million to date.
These include the 2018 Eagle Squadron Mustang, 2016 “Ole Yeller” Mustang and 2015 Mustang Apollo Edition. Ford’s highest-selling vehicle auctioned at AirVenture is the 2008 Mustang AV8R, which sold for $500,000.
“Ford and Roush Performance are helping build the next generation of aviation through their support of EAA, AirVenture and The Gathering,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “This project not only will be a highlight of The Gathering; its impact will help EAA reach those who are pursuing their own dreams of flight.”
Bidding at “The Gathering” auction is open to all interested parties. Bids can be made in person or remotely online.
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