Lee Iacocca, the 'Father of the Mustang,' returns to build a limited edition pony car
The Mustang is No. 5 of only 45 to be built and is specially equipped wîth a 550 horsepower engine
• A personal message from Iacocca will be delivered to the crowd in Las Vegas
One of the most anticipated limited edition versions of the renowned Ford Mustang will be sold at No Reserve to celebrate the pony car's 45th anniversary during the 2nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Las Vegas Oct. 7-10, 2009. The No. 5 Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is one of only 45 to be built and is specially equipped wîth a 550 horsepower engine; as one of the featured cars, the Mustang will cross the auction block at approximately 6:30 p.m. PDT on Friday, Oct. 9. The 2009 Las Vegas event will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and feature approximately 400 collector vehicles for sale, posh lifestyle events and live, high-definition TV coverage from SPEED.
Known as the 'Father of the Mustang,' Iacocca presented the Ford Mustang to the world during a dramatic press conference at the 1964 New York World's Fair. During his time as Ford Division president and general manager, Iacocca made the Mustang a household name. He even tapped veteran racer Carroll Shelby to build special high performance versions of the car. A video from Iacocca to the crowd will air before the car is sold on Oct. 9.
'This is a stunning modern-day muscle car from the visionary who started it all,' said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. 'It's hard to imagine where collector car enthusiasts would be if Lee Iacocca hadn't championed the Ford Mustang project 45 years ago. Now, he has teamed up wîth some of the top automotive talent in the world to produce the 45th Anniversary model. It's an instant collectible.'
Nearly two years in the making, the Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang is a collaborative effort by Iacocca, designer Michael Leone, and Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters. The new business venture is called I Legacy. The Mustangs are being offered exclusively through Galpin Ford in Southern California.
'It has been the most amazing time of my life, working wîth Mr. Iacocca on this car,' said Leone. 'This 45th Anniversary Edition Mustang is a rare, complex, elegant and extraordinary piece of moving artwork. With innovative technology, the visual impact of its fastback design and expert craftsmanship, it is truly exceptional in every way; the only car that can bear the Iacocca name on it. We couldn't be prouder to have the number five car crossing the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas.'
Each of the 45 limited edition Mustangs is custom built by a team of talented artists using composite construction laminates, a reinforced material from the aerospace industry. The hand-crafted vehicles, all painted in a specially created Iacocca silver hue, are fabricated using the finest tooling, wîth each part separately cured in an autoclave.
The Iacocca-designed hood crest is custom built by a distinguished jeweler and every emblem is hand-finished and polished. Front and rear wheels are cast aluminum and chrome plated for a sheen-like finish and the center caps are machined and also chrome plated.
While the exterior fastback design of the Iacocca Silver Mustang is compelling, the mechanical underpinnings are true American muscle. The No. 5 Iacocca Mustang was specially equipped wîth a 550 horsepower engine featuring a Ford Racing polished Supercharger that includes dyno sheets and other documentation. The driver can harness the extra power through a quick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)
Inside the Iacocca Silver Mustang, the interior is resplendent wîth luxurious touches that highlight the car's special heritage. These include Iacocca Diamond Design leather seats wîth embroidery stitching, an Iacocca signature dash plaque wîth serial number, a leather-wrapped §teering wheel wîth 'I' badge and Iacocca-badged aluminum door sill plates.
'The most appealing aspect of the Iacocca Mustang is its sleek appearance,' added Davis. 'Each line is clean, very sharp and seems to flow endlessly wîth the car. And the custom silver color is extremely bold, which embodies the spirit of the Mustang.'
When it crosses the block at No Reserve in Las Vegas, the Iacocca Silver Mustang will join a famous group of Mustangs sold at Barrett-Jackson.
'From first production Ford and Shelby models to one-owner classics, we've sold just about every Mustang possible at Barrett-Jackson,' continued Davis. 'There's a passion and aura surrounding the Mustang brand that is like no other, and it shows when one crosses our auction block. The energy will be through the roof when the Iacocca Mustang is sold in Las Vegas.'
About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces 'The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™' in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance offering for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
Source - Ford
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