Mustang’s Moon Shot

Ford Motor Co.'s latest special-edition Mustang sports car takes the program's 8-year-old aviation theme to a new level with this year's Apollo-inspired model.

The one-off Apollo Edition Mustang will be auctioned off later this month at the Gathering of Eagles charity event in Oshkosh, Wis. Proceeds will go toward the Experimental Aircraft Assn.'s youth education programs, which has provided free flights to more than 1.9 million young people to encourage them to pursue careers in aviation.

The Apollo Mustang features a two-tone black and white paint job with red accents, alloy wheels, carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker moldings and U.S.A. decals.

The underbody's light-emitting diodes are meant to symbolize a shuttle re-entering the atmosphere. Interior highlights include performance gauges, unique sill plates, a modified instrument cluster and embroidered badging on various fabrics and surfaces.

Power comes from a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that produces 627 hp and 540 lb-ft of torque. Other goodies include a Ford Performance supercharger, sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes, 21-inch Forgiato performance wheels and a side and rear exhaust system.