No, Not A P-51... But This One's Cool, Too

This year's EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh promises to be a big event -- not just for aircraft lovers, but for automotive gearheads, too.

In addition to raffling off a special-edition Ford pickup truck, the EAA will also conduct an auction on Thursday, July 27 -- during the annual "Gathering of Eagles" fundraiser for the Young Eagles program -- that's sure to appeal to muscle-car aficionados.

And what, you may ask, will the EAA be auctioning off? Well, that requires some explanation... and a little automotive history.

In 1966 -- two years after the original Ford Mustang was unleased onto American Roads -- racing legend Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation created a series of high-performance, special-edition Shelby Mustangs that could be rented by automobile enthusiasts. Ford supplied the Mustangs, Shelby added extra performance and style... and Hertz made the cars available to the public. With only 1000 Shelby GT350H Mustangs produced, these are now among the most sought-after collector cars in the world.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Shelby GT350H, Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles, and The Hertz Corporation are creating 500 performance-modified Shelby GT-H Mustangs. Like its predecessor, the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H will be instantly recognizable, with black exterior paint set off with gold racing stripes, a hallmark of Hertz's vehicle history dating back to the 1920s.

True to tradition, all of those cars will be available exclusively to rent through Hertz -- except for one, that is.

"As part of its support of EAA and its programs, Ford Motor Company, in conjunction with Hertz and Shelby Automobiles, is providing a dazzling addition to this year's Gathering of Eagles auction," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "Aviation enthusiasts enjoy performance both in the air and on the ground, and this Shelby GT-H Mustang certainly will draw much deserved attention for its style and power."

"Ford wanted to do something special to support EAA's programs that build aviation's future," said Jill Fannon, manager of Ford Global Events and Marketing. "This is an incredible opportunity to enjoy a new Mustang that has all the legendary Shelby style and performance, and we're happy to make it happen during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh."

In addition to attendees of the Gathering of Eagles event, there are also a limited number of opportunities for those unable to attend in person to bid on the Shelby GT-H Mustang. Full information is available online at the FMI link below.

FMI: www.airventure.org/gathering