2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang Auctioned Off

• Ford Shelby GT-H auctioned at EAA's "Gathering of Eagles" fundraiser raises $250,000 to benefit Young Eagles youth flight program.
• Barrett-Jackson auctioneer "Spanky," Carroll Shelby and Edsel Ford make history at the first auction of a new GT-H.

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 28 - Marking the 40th anniversary of the Shelby GT350H Ford Mustang, Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles and The Hertz Corporation created 500 Shelby

GT-H Mustangs. All but one of those cars will be available to rent through the Hertz Fun Collection this year.

That remaining car was sold to the highest bidder for $250,000 during the annual "Gathering of Eagles" fundraiser at EAA AirVenture 2006. Proceeds from the fundraiser and the auction benefits EAA's aviation education initiatives, including Young Eagles the most successful youth aviation education program ever created with more than 1.2 million young people flown since 1992.

In 1966, Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation created high-performance, special-edition Shelby Mustangs that could be rented by automobile enthusiasts. Ford Motor Company supplied the Mustangs, Shelby added extra performance and style and Hertz made the cars available to the public. The Shelby GT350H Mustangs are among the most sought-after collector cars in the world.

Like its predecessor, the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H will be instantly recognizable, thanks to several eye-catching styling enhancements that are part of the Shelby Mustang heritage. Each Shelby GT-H will wear black exterior paint set off with gold racing stripes, a hallmark of Hertz's vehicle history dating back to the 1920s.

"Ford Motor Company's support of EAA and its programs, in partnership with Hertz and Shelby Automobiles, is supplying a truly dazzling addition to this year's Gathering of Eagles auction," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "Aviation enthusiasts enjoy performance both in the air and on the ground, and the Shelby GT-H Mustang was a spectacular highlight of the evening."

The "Gathering of Eagles" fundraiser totaled $250,000 for the evening with the donations supporting EAA's aviation education programs that inspire and motivate the next generation of aviators.

"Being the first to auction the new GT-H is history in the making and we felt this was an incredible opportunity for Ford and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh," said Jill Fannon, manager of Ford Events. "Ford wanted to do something special to support EAA's programs that build aviation's future, and what better way than with the hottest Mustang on the street."

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" and EAA's yearly membership convention. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at www.airventure.org.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.