The Ford Eagle Squadron Mustang GT made landfall at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, proving that even American muscle can make a splash at one of the U.K.’s most esteemed auto events. As surprising as it is to see a Mustang get prime placement at the Goodwood House, the one-off Mustang’s debut at the event makes a lot of sense considering the fact that the muscle car was designed to pay tribute to the famed Eagle Squadron and the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary. Following its debut, the Mustang Eagle Squadron Mustang GT is home stateside where it will be auctioned off at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association fundraiser on July 26.

2018 Ford Eagle Squadron Mustang GT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Ford Eagle Squadron Mustang GT
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 700
  • Torque: 610

What Makes the Ford Eagle Squadron Mustang GT Special?

Like past one-off Ford Mustangs that have come before it, the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT isn’t your typical Mustang GT. The body alone is a clear sign of that. How many Mustangs have you seen get dressed up in full military camouflage? Better yet, when was the last time Ford decided that putting the Royal Air Force’s roundel on the hood of the muscle car and the Eagle Squadron crest on the roof would help sell more models? None of these design elements would have been put on the ‘Stang if it wasn’t, at the very least, a limited edition model.

So, here it is, folks. The one-off Eagle Squadron Mustang GT lives up to its name. The aesthetics are in sync with the institutions that serve as the inspirations behind the creation. Even better, Ford tapped professional drifter Vaugh Gittin Jr. to help establish the Mustang’s one-off status. We see how that played out in how visible the RTR carbon fiber widebody kit is. There’s a prominent aftermarket front spoiler on the front, side skirts on the sides, and a Gurney flap added to the existing rear spoiler. Aerodynamic canards and an illuminated RTR grille were also thrown in to give this one-off Mustang a unique look that no other Mustang, not even its one-off predecessors, can claim to have.

The upgrades are just as prominent insider where Recaro racing seats have been put in place of the standard versions. The seats are dressed in custom leather and feature embroidered logos of the Eagle Squadron outfit. The gear shift knob is hand-engraved from parts sourced from F-35 Lightning parts, and to slam home the point of the car’s identity, a hand-engraved badge with aluminum sourced from an actual Spitfire fighter plane is also included.

On the engine front, the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT gets the same 5.0-liter V-8 engine that all Mustang GTs have. The only difference is that Ford added a Ford Performance supercharger kit that helps boost the coupe’s output to 700 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque. It’s still not as fast as an actual Spitfire, but with a six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels, the one-off Mustang will have no problems dusting off all the chumps that try to get in its way.

Finishing off the features of the Mustang is the addition of the RTR Tactical Performance Suspension Package, which includes a bevy of suspension improvements, including MagneRide adjustable dampers. RTR adjustable sway bars are also part of the whole mix, as are Ford Performance lowering springs, and a set of 20-inch RTR Aero 7 forged wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555 tires.

The Eagle Squadron Mustang GT is, of course, not for sale. You do have a chance to go home with it provided that you win at the auction part of the EAA’s annual fundraiser in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A word of caution, though - based on the auction’s history, these one-off Mustangs don’t come cheap. The cheapest one-off sold for more than $200,000, and with all the upgrades made to this model, together with the institutions it draws inspiration from, don’t be surprised if the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT sells for around $350,000 to $400,000.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Mustang.

Read more Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Read more Ford news.