Ford has created a one-off, eye-searing yellow Shelby GT350 Mustang that pays homage to the “Ole Yeller” P-51 Mustang fighter plane piloted by owner Bob H in more than 1,000 air show performances over two decades.
Ford borrowed the pony car’s name from the famous World War II P-51 Mustang fighter plane when the car was introduced in 1964, and Ole Yeller reinforces the link between the car and the plane with its garish yellow paint and radioactive green accents. Confederate Motorcycles also uses the P-51 name for one of its incredible motorcycles.
The donation of Ole Yeller marks the ninth straight year Ford has provided a car for the Gathering Of Eagles charity auction at the annual Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin. So far the donated cars have contributed $3 million to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s youth education programs, and Ole Yeller should add considerable bump to that amount.
Ford’s Ole Yeller wears unique carbon fiber body components and mirrors, along with specially designed Recaro seats, and sill plates, floor mats and aviation-inspired instruments. All new Mustangs’ speedometers read “Ground Speed” in a reference to the name’s aviation roots.
“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,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors.
Piloting Ole Yeller in 1985, Hoover the prop plane record for coast-to-coast travel at 5 hours and 20 minutes. R. A. “Bob” Hoover, is widely considered the founding father of modern aerobatics and thrilled airshow fans piloting “Ole Yeller” for more than 20 years.