Driving the F-16: Ford designs 2014 Mustang GT after the Falcon for charity

2014 Ford GT honours USAF

Ford Motor Company has created its annual one-off charity car - the 2014 Ford Mustang GT USAF Thunderbirds Edition. Ford has been creating a unique Mustang every year since 2008 in honour of the US Air Force. This year's Mustang draws inspiration from the 60th anniversary of the celebrated U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

Designed to look menacing, the USAF Thunderbirds Mustang GT shares its looks with the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, with radiant white paint and red and blue accents. The car also carries USAF decals. The special-edition car will be at the auction block at the Eagles charity event in Wisconsin on August 1, during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Young Eagles organisation, a charity that runs a young pilot training programme.

As expected, this Mustang has undergone a number of aesthetic changes to be visually in line with the Thunderbirds' legendary Falcons. To match the F-16's canopy over the cockpit, the Mustang comes with glass roof panes. Widebody fenders, rear deck spoiler and 22-inch Forgiato wheels are unique cosmetic changes. Another addition is a belly-pan that runs underneath the car, painted to match the underside of the F-16.

On the inside, the Mustang becomes a two-seater just like the aircraft. The Recaro bucket seats get embroidered Thunderbirds elements. Few other changes include a customised navigation screen, instrument cluster, unique door-sill plates and puddle lamps that project the aircraft silhouette when the doors open.

In the performance department, a number of Ford Racing components including a supercharger and a high-flow exhaust have been added to the chassis and the car's 5.0-liter V-8.

This one-of-a-kind edition, VIN 0001, also packs a punch under the hood. Performance is taken to a whole new level thanks to the Ford Racing supercharger, suspension handling assembly and Brembo brakes.

"The dedication and excellence displayed by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds are qualities we also celebrate at Ford," said Edsel B Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors. "With this year's beautiful U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang, we've captured the recognisable symbols of their stature and paired it with the innovation our Ford design and engineering teams build into all of our products. Through this project, we take great pride in continuing our support for EAA and the Young Eagles organisation," Ford added.