Ford Performance and drifting champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. have unveiled a road-going replica of a Spitfire at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, called the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT.
This RTR wide-body-equipped Eagle Squadron Mustang GT will help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force while celebrating the 20th year of Ford’s participation in the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture event.
Complementing its elaborate wide-body kit and aero extras, is an eye-catching camouflage exterior which draws inspiration from the Spitfire fighters used by the Eagle Squadron. Apart from the custom upholstered Recaro sport seats, and an RTR Tactical Performance Suspension Package which includes MagneRide adjustable dampers, there are Eagle Squadron logos throughout, as well as a very special hand-engraved shift knob using the aluminium from a Spitfire.
Thanks to a supercharger fitted to its 5.0-litre V8 motor, power soars to 522kw and 826nm. The ‘Coyote V8’ is connected to a 6-speed manual transmission which sends power to the rear wheels through a Ford Performance rear axle. It rides on 20-inch RTR Aero 7 forged wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555 tyres.
As driver Gittin puts it, “Beyond its menacing looks, this powerful and hungry beast mimics the brute force and maneuverability of an original Royal Air Force fighter jet,” said Gittin. “I really can’t wait to pilot it up the summit at Goodwood.”
Ford plans to auction the Eagle Squadron on July 26 at an annual fund-raising event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; with all the money raised going towards the Experimental Aircraft Association’s youth aviation education programs. To sweeten the pot, the top bidder gets an all-expense-paid trip to 2018 Ford Woodward Dream Cruise next month. To date, over US$3million have been raised for this cause, with the Eagle Squadron marking Ford’s 10th customized Mustang.
Also worth a look: the Ford Transit Custom and the Ford Escort Mk1 RS Returns as 800kg Track Weapon.
FAQ
Q: What does the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT cost in South Africa?
The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT was a one-off auction car that sold in the US for charity, so there's no official South African pricing, but similar RTR Mustang builds typically start around R2,500,000 when imported and converted to right-hand drive.
Q: How much power does the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT make?
The supercharged 5.0-litre Coyote V8 pumps out a hefty 522kW and 826Nm, making it significantly more powerful than the standard Mustang GT's 331kW output.
Q: Is the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT available to buy in South Africa?
No, the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT was a unique one-off vehicle created for charity auction, but RTR does offer similar wide-body Mustang packages that can be imported to South Africa through specialist dealers.
Q: What makes the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT special compared to a regular Mustang?
Beyond the 522kW supercharged engine, it features a complete RTR wide-body kit, MagneRide suspension, custom Recaro seats, and unique Eagle Squadron styling including a shift knob made from actual Spitfire aircraft aluminium.
Should You Buy It?
You can't buy the original Eagle Squadron Mustang GT since it was a one-off charity auction car, but if you're after similar performance and looks, RTR's regular Mustang packages offer excellent value. The best high-performance Mustang under R2,000,000 in South Africa is the standard Mustang GT with aftermarket mods, which can match the Eagle Squadron's drama for half the price. Unless you've got serious cash burning a hole in your pocket and need that Spitfire connection, stick with a locally-available GT and spend the savings on track days.
