Recently, at the Gather of Eagles charity event, Ford Motor Company donated its one-of-a-kind “Ole Yeller” Mustang, which was sold to the winning bidder, Hank Menke, for $295,000. This auction was held during the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, the Experimental Aircraft Association EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016.

The money received from this aviation-inspired Ford Mustang is being donated towards EAA youth education. One of the many programs that benefits from the proceeds is the Young Eagles program, which gives free introductory flights to millions of young people interested in being pilots.

The Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang has many custom features including yellow exterior finish with “Ole Yeller” badging and accents, exclusive carbon fiber components and mirrors showing images of the aircraft. The interior also has custom features, including uniquely designed Recaro seats, sill plates, and floor mats that have special logos and aviation-inspired gauges.

This one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang was designed to honor fighter pilot Bob Hoover, who many claim to be one of the best pilots to ever live, and also the historic P-51D Mustang fighter plane. The Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang is the ninth one-of-a-kind vehicle that Ford has designed and engineered for the auction. The Ford vehicles donated at EAA AirVenture events combined have raised more than $3 million in support of EAA youth education.

Ford Motor Company plans on continuing its support for EAA youth educational programs to help grow the next generation of pilots and considers it a project the company takes great pride in.