Update: Ford to produce limited run of Daytona 500 Mustang Pace Cars

Earlier we reported that Ford's 2011 Mustang would pace the 2010 Daytona 500. It was first thought that Ford would only produce one of the cars, and that it would be available in auction for one lucky person.

Ford announced today that they would be building 50 of the cars for public consumption. Each will feature the Daytona 500 paint scheme, special wheels, unique interior, and a host of parts from the Ford Racing catalog.

The actual pace car will be auctioned off at this week's Barrett-Jackson, and all proceeds will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

PRESS RELEASE:

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 19, 2010 – For the first time ever, American's favorite muscle car will pace 'The Great American Race.'

For the first time in 40 years, a Ford Motor Company car will be pacing the field for the NASCAR season-opening Daytona 500 when the 2011 Mustang GT, powered by the all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine, officially starts the race on Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway.

"Having the opportunity to pace America's biggest auto race with a Ford icon like the 2011 Mustang GT is truly an honor," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. "And to have the new 5.0-liter engine powering the car will be a great way to demonstrate its power and class-leading fuel economy."

This latest version of Ford's legendary muscle car will be a Race Red glass roof coupe with an all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine capable of producing 412 horsepower, while delivering a class-leading 25 mpg on the highway.

The one-of-a-kind model will feature a special Daytona 500 paint scheme, Ford Racing suspension, strut tower brace and mufflers, unique painted wheels, and special interior treatment, including specially branded lit sill plates.

The 2011 Mustang GT Daytona 500 Pace Car model is one of only 50 special editions that will be built and sold to the public.

"Everybody loves Mustang," Allison continued. "That was evident last year from the fan reaction when we announced it was going to be our new model in the NASCAR Nationwide Series starting later this year. This is just another way to showcase a true American icon in its most natural environment."

The last time a Ford served as pace car for the Daytona 500 was 1970 when a Ford Torino GT convertible led the field to the green flag.

And while Mustang may be a rookie when it comes to pacing the Daytona 500, its 45-year history is firmly entrenched in racing and winning championships. Mustang captured championships last year in the Grand-Am KONI and SCCA SPEED World Challenge, in addition to leading Robert Hight to his first NHRA Funny Car championship.

Another element that makes this year's pace car even more unique is that it will be auctioned off for charity before the actual race. Later this week (Jan. 23), the Mustang GT Daytona 500 Pace Car will be offered at the annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction, which is taking place in Scottsdale, Ariz. Seven-time Daytona 500 champion Richard Petty, the newest member of the Ford Racing family, will be on site to help hand over the car to the winning bidder.

All proceeds over the manufacturer's suggested retail price from the pace car auction will go to help cure childhood diabetes through a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

First 2010 Shelby GT500 and a pair of concept Mustangs to be auctioned at Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson

It just wouldn't be a proper Barrett-Jackson auction without some Mustangs going up for sale, and the upcoming Palm Beach auction will be no exception. Along with the very first 2010 Shelby GT500, which was originally supposed to be auctioned off in Scottsdale in January, will be two concept Mustangs that debuted at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.

The two concepts, both a coupe and convertible, ushered in the current retro design of the Mustang. Each features a 400hp V8 and 5 speed transmission, and Brembo brakes. And both hold a special place in history as cars that accurately previewed a production car.


PRESS RELEASE:

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 16, 2009 – Ford Motor Company will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Mustang by auctioning the first retail 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and a pair of Mustang GT concept cars during the 7th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction on April 9-11, 2009. The three historic Mustangs will be sold for charity and are among 400-plus collector vehicles to be auctioned at No Reserve during the automotive lifestyle event at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. SPEED will provide live, high-definition TV coverage of the auction once again.

"It's rare for a concept vehicle, especially one as iconic as the Ford Mustang, to be sold to the public," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "Giving enthusiasts an opportunity to take home the ultimate keepsake is an admirable way to mark the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, which will be celebrated a few days after our event."

All proceeds above MSRP from the sale of the Shelby GT500 will be donated to The Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. The two Mustang concepts will be auctioned to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

"During the last three years, Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised more than $2 million for charity through the auction of Ford vehicles," noted Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company's president, The Americas. "Ford and Barrett-Jackson will continue this important tradition at this year's Palm Beach auction. The winning bidders for these fantastic Mustangs will be contributing to worthy causes while purchasing automotive history."

The first 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 (Lot #665) is the latest in high-performance cars and features a color scheme and equipment personally chosen by Carroll Shelby. Clad in Kona Blue with white stripes, this GT500 has world-class handling, aggressive styling, and extreme levels of horsepower and torque that are unparalleled in its segment.

The two Mustang concepts on the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach docket debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and have traveled to more than 50 auto shows around the world. The fresh design foreshadowed a new direction for the 2005 model year that is still relevant in today's Mustangs.

The Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept (Lot #655) features a distinct "showbar" with a rim of billet-aluminum trim picking up where the instrument panel and console trim leave off. The dazzling red car is pure muscle from its 20-inch wheels and cross-drilled Brembo brakes to the sharp accent line that runs the length of the body and culminates in a "C-scoop" behind the door cutline. The convertible's interior, awash in supple red and charcoal leather, includes perforated surfaces on the seat backs, as well as a billet-aluminum shifter for the 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-point racing-style seatbelts and unique instrument gauges that resemble a fine watch with its face removed.

"This car began with a significantly modified Ford Thunderbird rear-wheel-drive architecture," noted Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "The platform was sectioned to achieve the proper proportion and the front-end geometry is all original. This is truly a piece of history that represents the transition to an entirely new Mustang."

The Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept (Lot #655.1) has a glass roof and lush red and charcoal leather interior accented by billet-aluminum hardware. Its upward rake angle makes the car appear to be in motion even while at a standstill. The styling matches its convertible sibling. The functional hood scoops help the supercharged engine breathe as it churns out nearly 400 horsepower.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the "World's Greatest Collector Car Events™" in Scottsdale, Palm Beach and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

50th Anniversary Hurst Viper revealed, to be auctioned for charity

Hurst is on a roll, first bringing out the Hurst Challenger and now a Hurst version of the Dodge Viper. The Hurst Viper has been built to celebrate the brand's 50th anniversary of building specialty performance vehicles under the brand of Hurst Performance.

Since adding more power to the already adequate 600hp 8.4L V-10 is a little silly (well to some anyway), most of the upgrades are purely aesthetics. The Hurst/Viper, of which only 50 will be made, comes only in two color combos that commemorate the official colors of the company: Black with Gold stripes or White with Gold Stripes.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Hurst car without a Hurst shifter, so these special Vipers will be fitted with the company's new HARD-DRIVE gold anodized pistol grip shifter. Also from the company catalogue are Hurst 19- and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. The interior is shrink wrapped in Katzkin charcoal leather that's embroidered with the Hurst logo and touched off with gold stitching and perforated leather inserts.

A little has been done in the performance category, as Hurst added a Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension. The first of 50 examples of the Hurst Viper will be auctioned off this week at the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to Victory Junction, which runs a camping facility for chronically ill children.

PRESS RELEASE

HURST RELEASES FIRST PHOTOS OF THE HURST/VIPER

Irvine, Calif. (January 9th, 2008) - Hurst Performance Vehicles today releases photos of the 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper. This very special Viper is SERIAL #01 of only 50 to be built by the legendary Hurst Performance Vehicle Group. It features unique flat gold paint with gloss black stripes and black chrome Hurst wheels and detailing. This vehicle will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 17th, 2009 with the proceeds donated to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility for children for chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

The production Hurst/Viper vehicles will feature the new Hurst HARD-DRIVE® gold anodized pistol-grip shifter, Hurst 19" and 20" polished aluminum wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension with Eibach springs. The interior features a special Katzkin charcoal leather with Hurst embroidered logos, gold thread detailing and perforated leather inserts. In honor of the Golden Anniversary the vehicle will be available exclusively in Hurst's legendary color combinations of Black with Gold stripes and White with Gold stripes. HURST/Vipers are available for individual order though Hurst Performance Vehicles and Woodhouse Dodge.

About Hurst Performance
Founded in 1958, Hurst Performance is one of the most recognized and revered names in the automotive performance arena. The Hurst brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering high performance products and vehicles for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. Hurst was one of the first specialty companies to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary Hurst/Olds 442. For more information please visit www.Hurst-Performance.com.

About The Woodhouse Auto Family
Woodhouse Auto Family is a successful family-owned business which has sold vehicles in all 50 states. The Woodhouse Auto Family consists of 7 dealership franchises in the Omaha, Nebraska metro area. Woodhouse Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep have consistently been in the top 10 sales position for the Pentastar Corporation. In addition, Woodhouse has been a leader in new Dodge Viper sales for the past 8 years. With an extensive background in racing and performance Woodhouse also leads in performance modifications of the Dodge Viper SRT10.

About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages 6 to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with 22 partner hospitals. Victory Junction's mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. For more information, visit www.victoryjunction.org.