Youth Education Fundraiser Soars with Auction of One-of-a-Kind “Ole Yeller” Shelby GT350 Mustang
Certain cars–like the Ford Mustang–can change a person’s life. While that impact typically pertains to the life-changing experience of driving the car, it can also make a difference in the lives of those who benefit from the car–without even laying a hand on it.
One specific car–a one-of-a-kind Ford “Ole Yeller” Shelby GT350 Mustang–is making a difference to those in Wisconsin’s Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) educational programs. Last month, the EAA AirVentureOskosh 2016 aviation celebration was held; the festival included the auction of the bright yellow Mustang, created to pay homage to the historic P-51D Mustang fighter plane.
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“This year’s one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang honors two aviation greats, the iconic and historic P-51D Mustang fighter plane, and highly decorated fighter pilot, test pilot and air show performer, Bob Hoover, who is referred to by many as one of the greatest pilots ever to have lived,” explained Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors.
The “Ole Yeller” Shelby GT350 Mustang up for auction was the ninth in an annual series of one-of-a-kind cars created by Ford to support EAA youth education that have collectively raised over $3 million in the past years. This year’s sunshine-bright model had a unique, aviation-inspired interior with custom accents, badging, and components made to resemble aircract elements.
But, it’s what was under the hood that brought in the big bids: a 5.2-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine with Flat Plane Crank paired to a special sport-tuned TREMEC® 6-speed manual transmission. Needless to say, this is one of the brand’s most powerful engines ever produced.
The lucky–and generous…and wealthy–man who took the “Ole Yeller” Mustang home was Hank Menke, president and CEO of an Indiana branding company. His bid of $295,000 will help launch the futures of many aviation hopefuls for years to come.
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