Blue Oval donated one-of-a-kind Shelby GT350 "Ole Yeller" Mustang sells for $295,000 at the recent Gathering of Eagles charity auction held at AirVenture Oshkosh 2016.

2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang

Ford Mustang and the EAA

Beginning in 1953, the Experimental Aircraft Association has sponsored a week-long annual celebration of aviation that, since 1970, has been held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Among its many supporters, Ford Motor Company is also its exclusive automotive partner.

This year, Ford created another one-of-a kind special edition Mustang, joining eight others it's constructed in the past. Like those, this iteration also crossed the block at a charity auction that was held, this year, on July 28th.

As with the previous auctions, the entire proceeds from the sale benefit the EAA Young Eagles program which, since 1992, has provided free introductory flights to 2 million young people. Hank Menke, president and CEO of OFS Brands in Huntingburg, Indiana was the winner with his bid of $295,000 netting him a one-of-a-kind stunning example of a Shelby GT350 nicknamed "Ole Yeller" that pays homage to the famous North American P-51D Mustang and Bob Hoover, renowned United States Air Force fighter pilot and air show performer.

auction image of the 2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang

P-51D Mustang "Ole Yeller" and Bob Hoover

"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. "The Shelby GT350 Mustang, with its nimbleness, speed and aerodynamics, provided us with the perfect platform to create this tribute to the P-51D aircraft."

auctioneer describing interior of 2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang

2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang "Ole Yeller"

As the ninth "one-of-a-kind" pony car, the Ole Yeller Mustang features a custom yellow non-production paint that evokes the livery of Hoover's yellow P-51D that still holds the prop plane record for coast-to-coast travel set in 1985 at 5 hours and 20 minutes.

The exterior features custom "Ole Yeller" accents and badging, along with custom carbon fiber components and mirrors projecting images of the aircraft. Interior modifications include aviation-inspired gauges, custom Recaro seats, unique sill plates and floor mats with unique logos.

"Ole Yeller" Shelby GT350 components include:

• 5.2L Ti-VCT V8 engine with Flat Plane Crank
• Tremec 6-speed manual transmission
• Specially tuned sport suspension
• Six-piston Brembo brakes

Sponsors supporting the build of the "Ole Yeller" edition Shelby Mustang GT350 include MAD industries, Ford Performance, Brembo, Carbon 2 Carbon, BASF Refinish, Pirelli Tires, Diode Dynamics, Rigid Industries LED Lighting, sPOD Power Distribution & Switching Components, 3M Window Films, PIAA, APR Performance, Rosen Electronics, FOCAL/The Source AV, Odyssey Battery, Recaro, Northern Engraving, Miko, American & Efird, Takata Holdings, Inc., Forgiato Wheels, Coverkings, L&G Enterprises and Signature Performance Tire & Wheel.

2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang

Past AirVenture Mustangs

Previous one-of-a kind Young Eagles Mustangs also sold at auction include:

2008 - Mustang AV8R, with cues from the F-22 "Raptor"
2009 - AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Mustang crafted in honor of World War II aircraft
2010 - SR-71 "Blackbird" Mustang by Carroll Shelby and Jack Roush
2011 - "Blue Angels" Mustang celebrating 100 years of United States naval aviation
2012 - "Red Tails" Mustang paid homage to P-51 Mustang Tuskegee Airmen pilots
2013 - "Thunderbirds" Mustang, celebrated 60th years of the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds
2014 - "F-35 Lightning" Mustang, with design cues from the F-35 Lightning fighter jet
2015 - "Apollo" Edition Mustang, evoking the livery of the Saturn V Apollo launch rocket

Note: Collectively, Ford auction vehicles have now raised over $3 million since 2008 to support the Young Eagles program. To stay connected to all Ford EAA AirVenture news, connect with the Ford EAA AirVenture team on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/FordAirventure or visit http://www.FordAirventure.com.