The "Old Crow" Mustang GT takes off for "The Gathering."

• The Ford and Roush Performance team for the «Old Crow» Mustang GT salutes military veterans.
• «Old Crow» draws inspiration from the P-51 Mustang that fought in World War II.
• The special Mustang will appear at auction during the 2019 AirVenture show in Wisconsin this week.

Ford's own Mustang GT, inspired by the P-51 Mustang fighter jet flown by triple ace Colonel Bud Anderson of the United States Air Force, is about to hit the road. Ford and Roush Performance are behind this special Mustang GT, nicknamed «Old Crow.» The special Mustang was built to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. It's like Anderson's P-51 Mustang (without the six 50 cal): beautiful, fast, and with incredible power.

One crazy ace

We better get this out of the way right now: Jack Roush is kind of nuts, especially when it comes to airplanes. As I recall, he had two failures, maybe three. One of them should have killed him when he jumped into the middle of the lake, except that one of the lake people saw him, came out and saved him. So, given Jack's love of Fords, over-powered engines, and airplanes (in that order), making a version of the last Mustang like the famous WWII Mustang makes sense.

Roush is also a longtime friend of Anderson's.

«The »Old Raven" Mustang GT is taking flight.

A one-of-a-kind Mustang (sadly, it won't even be a limited production model) will be auctioned off at the Experimental Aircraft Association's 2019 AirVenture show on Thursday, July 25, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Do you know about Oshkosh? Well, just in case you don't know, the one word answer is GO! You really should check it out. It's like Goodwood combined with Pebble Beach combined with vintage racing at Laguna Seca, only for airplanes. They call it «The Gathering» and it's the perfect place for an «Old Crow» Mustang GT.

«This year's design is especially fitting to celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the special place we reserve for heroes like Col. Anderson and countless others who have demonstrated unparalleled valor and sacrifice,» said Craig Metros, Ford design director. «Many on the Ford design team are challenged each year to pay tribute to our war heroes by creating a special vehicle to support the next generation of aviators.».

Proceeds from the auction benefit the Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Fund, which encourages young and aspiring pilots.

The P-51 Mustang is a single-seat, single engine fighter aircraft originally produced in 1940 by North American Aviation. The aircraft saw action in World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts.

Old Crow Mustang GT: power and performance characteristics

«Old Crow» Mustang GT has a custom paint scheme and badge that echoes Colonel Anderson's iconic P-51 Mustang fighter. The front grille is customized by Roush with the P-51 Mustang badge; the words «Old Crow» are painted on the hood and a beautiful Eighth Air Force emblem adorns the panel. Like the P-51 it emulates, the «Old Crow» Mustang GT features power and performance thanks to a Ford supercharger and Roush Performance TVS R2650. This helps squeeze 710 horsepower and 610 lb-ft. of torque from the 5.0-liter V8 engine. There's also a cold air intake system and X pipe from Roush Performance, as well as a special active exhaust system from Ford Performance.

Thankfully, the chassis transitions with Ford's MagneRide damping system. All that considerable power and torque reach the ground thanks to a set of 20-inch Roush wheels and sporty Continental ExtremeContact 275 / 35R tires. In keeping with its namesake, aerodynamics were at the top of the list. There are Roush rear aerodynamic surfaces, a Ford Performance front racing spoiler; a rear spoiler from a 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500, sleek custom heat sinks on the hood, and blue iridescent exhaust tips that mimic the P-51's exhaust.

Inside, the Old Crow is a far cry from the spartan military vehicle of 70-plus years ago. It is fully decorated in aviation style and adorned with green leather and military-themed canvases, as well as a red knob and door handles. «P-51» adorns the passenger side dashboard. «Old Crow» even includes Sparco four-point suspension, as well as a nice-touch aluminum rear seat-removal.

Colonel Bud Anderson.

In person and how to bet

«Old Crow» Mustang GT will be on display during the AirVenture show from now through the 18th. AirVenture attracts more than 600,000 aviation enthusiasts (like propeller heads) to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin each year. That's more than Woodstock, more than the Indy 500. Like I said, it's a big deal. Those interested in betting on the Old Crow can call 920-426-6573 or e-mail: [email protected].