Celebrating the 45th anniversary of Ford’s introduction of the Mustang at the 1964 World’s Fair, there will be only 45 hand sculpted examples of America’s favorite pony car to celebrate the father of the Mustang, Lee Iacocca. The limited edition Mustang was a collaborative effort between the man himself, Iacocca, designer Michael Leone and the Gaffoglio Family from Metalcrafters. If that last name doesn’t ring a bell, those are the California based Argentines that brought the world one off beauties like the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve concept car. The special edition Mustangs will be painted in special shade of grey known as “Iacocca” Silver and will be available sometime in late July.

The car is based on the 2009 Ford Mustang, but the body has been beefed up and smoothed over to create the kind of strikingly bold appearance that you can only get with hand crafted metalwork. These cars will stand out in any blue oval enthusiast’s corral, especially sitting on top of those 20 inch polished five spoke rims. Under the hood, the Iacocca Mustang will be powered by a naturally aspirated 4.6 Liter modular V8 rated at 320 HP, or there is an optional supercharged power plant that makes 400 HP as well as a 14 inch Ford Racing brake kit to bring all that fun to a halt.

Inside the Iacocca Silver Mustang there are luxurious touches like the Iacocca-badged aluminum door sill plates, the Iacocca Diamond Design leather seats with custom embroidery, leather-wrapped steering wheel wearing an "I" badge and an Iacocca signature dash plaque with serial number. These limited edition pony car’s will be available exclusively from the Los Angeles based, Galpin Ford.

UPDATE 02/14/2011: Two years after the Lee Iacocca 45th Anniversary Mustang first made headlines, Lee Iacocca is auctioning off his own personal ride for yet another charitable cause (after the first model was scooped up for $125,000 at the Galpin Ford auction in Las Vegas). This time around, the winning bidder of Iacocca’s own 45th Anniversary Mustang, will not only win the car, but will also get the treat of having lunch with Lee Iacocca himself.

All the proceeds from the auction will be given to Keep Memory Alive, an organization that aims to raise awareness and supports research towards the cure of a number of disorders, including ALS, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, as well as other memory-related disorders.

The bidding is set to start at $80,000, but we’re sure this car will end up with a higher price tag then the first model sold in 2009. After all, it is owned by Lee Iacocca himself.

Updated 03/31/2011: MustangDaily has unveiled a set of new images featuring the Iacocca Mustang in Candy Apple Red exterior paint, a car that was ordered by Galpin Ford for their own private collection.

Press release after the jump.

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2009 Ford Mustang Lee Iacocca Edition

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Press release

Forty-five years after he introduced the original Ford Mustang, launched at a dramatic press conference at the 1964 New York World's Fair, auto industry visionary Lee Iacocca today announced a new version of the famous muscle car – the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang – a breathtaking vehicle that utilizes the latest in Ford performance technology with a style and panache that screams, Mustang fastback. Only 45 "2009½" Iacocca Silver Edition Mustangs – all painted a special "Iacocca" chosen silver hue – will be built.

Nearly two years in the making, the Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang is a collaborative effort by Iacocca, designer Michael Leone, and Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, the world-class coachbuilding and Design Company in Fountain Valley, Calif. The new business venture is called I Legacy, and it will be in concert with Galpin Ford, the exclusive Ford dealership to offer these Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustangs to the public.

In a word, the new Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang is stunning. The lines flow organically from front to rear. The hand-crafted piece of rolling art, with its innovations and impact of the fastback design is truly exceptional in every way. With its sunken headlights, slanted grill and low stance, the car gives you "street attitude."

"Once in a while a car comes along that changes everything, and that was the original Mustang," said Iacocca.

The Silver Edition Mustang perpetuates the Iacocca mystique.

The car begins life on a 2009 Mustang platform, which is then uniquely modified and coachbuilt. While the exterior fastback design of the Iacocca Silver Mustang is compelling, the mechanical underpinnings are true American muscle. Two power plant options will be offered, a normally-aspirated 4.6-liter Ford V8 rated at 320 horsepower and an optional supercharged version that delivers a head-snapping 400 horsepower. Both engines are covered by a factory Ford warranty. Drivers will harness the power through a quick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission.

The car's suspension has been upgraded to keep pace with the power delivery. A Ford Racing Handling Package adds firmer springs and re-valved shock absorbers. A 14-inch Ford Racing Braking Package is optional. All suspension components will be covered under a factory Ford warranty, as well.

Inside the Iacocca Silver Mustang, the interior is resplendent with luxurious touches that highlight the car's special heritage, including Iacocca Diamond Design leather seats with embroidery stitching, an Iacocca signature dash plaque with serial number, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with "I" badge, and Iacocca-badged aluminum door sill plates.

The cars will initially be revealed and then available at a reception in late July, at Southern California's Galpin Ford dealership, the world's largest volume Ford dealer for 19 years, as well as an innovator in the promotion and retail of specialty automobiles. The price is yet to be announced.

The "Father of the Mustang" returns to the legend that started it all.

For more photos, videos and/or information about the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Mustang and I Legacy, please log onto www.ilegacy.com.

For sales inquiries please call Galpin Ford's Iacocca Mustang specialist, Brandon Boeckmann at 1-800-829-0744.

Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang – Specifications


Engines
• 4.6-liter V8 with 320 HP (Ford Racing Cold Air - under WARRANTY)
• 4.6-liter V8 with 400HP Supercharger Optional (Ford Racing Supercharger - under WARRANTY)

Drivetrain
• 5-speed stick shift transmission (there might be automatics)

Suspension
• Ford Racing Handling Package (Ford Racing Package - under WARRANTY)
• 14-inch' Brakes Optional (Ford Racing Package - under WARRANTY)

Wheels & Tires
• Iacocca Design 20" Chrome wheels with "I" Design center cap
• 20''x 9 ½ " (F), 20"x 9 ½ " (R)
• Goodyear Eagle RSA 245 X 45 X R20

Interior
• Iacocca Diamond Design Leather Seats with Embroidery Stitching
• Iacocca Signature Dash Plaque with Serial Number
• Iacocca Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with "I" badge
• Iacocca Aluminum Door Still Plates
• One-Touch Up/Down power Windows
• Two Power Outlets
• Variable-Speed Windshield Wipers
• Rear Window Defroster
• Air-Conditioning

Exterior
• Iacocca DESIGN FASTBACK
• Iacocca Design Hood Emblem
• Iacocca Design Trunk Cap "I" Emblem
• Iacocca Design Trunk Lettering