| Concept Mustangs at Barrett Jackson |
Ford Motor Company and Barrett Jackson are celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Ford Mustang by auctioning a pair of Mustang GT concept cars which led to the production of the 2005 Mustang GT, and the first production 2010 Shelby GT500. The event will take place at this year's Barrett Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction on April 9-11.
“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.”
Although the auction of the GT500 is actually just for the rights to buy the first production model, the proceeds of all three auctions will go to charity. The two Mustang concept auctions will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation while proceeds above MSRP from the sale of the Shelby GT500 will be donated to The Carroll Shelby Children’s 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 of 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.”
First to come across the block will be lot #655, the Redline Red Metallic Mustang GT Convertible concept built in 2003. “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.”
Just after the sale of the convertible will be the auction for it's sister concept car the Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept, lot #655.1 which 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.
Finally, during lot #665, Barrett Jackson will auction the first production 2010 Shelby GT500. As you may remember this vehicle was slated to cross the block this past January at the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the last moment Ford decided not to go through with it when they found that Carroll Shelby had been unable to attend due to an illness.
Related:
2010 Shelby GT500 Images
2005 Mustang GT Images
2009 Mustangs at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale
2010 Shelby GT500 Unveiling
2010 Shelby GT500 Mustang Order Guide
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