[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/700bhp-eagle-squadron-ford-mustang\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/700bhp-eagle-squadron-ford-mustang\/","headline":"700bhp Eagle Squadron Ford Mustang","name":"700bhp Eagle Squadron Ford Mustang","description":"A one-off 700bhp Eagle Squadron Ford Mustang is set for Goodwood The Eagle Squadrons were part of the Royal Air Force and were populated with American volunteer pilots. These squadrons operated in World War II just before the USA eventually entered into the war in 1941. The squadrons were partly the inspiration of Charles Sweeney, a London businessman, and partly the desire of American citizens to fight what they rightly saw as a world threat. Sweeney originally began his recruitment […]","datePublished":"2018-07-05","dateModified":"2018-12-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/eagle-squadron-ford-mustang-gt-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/eagle-squadron-ford-mustang-gt-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/700bhp-eagle-squadron-ford-mustang\/","about":["AMERICAN CARS","Ford","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":523,"keywords":["ford mustang","Limited edition ford mustang","RAF Eagle Squadron"],"articleBody":"A one-off 700bhp Eagle Squadron Ford Mustang is set for GoodwoodThe Eagle Squadrons were part of the Royal Air Force and were populated with American volunteer pilots. These squadrons operated in World War II just before the USA eventually entered into the war in 1941. The squadrons were partly the inspiration of Charles Sweeney, a London businessman, and partly the desire of American citizens to fight what they rightly saw as a world threat.Sweeney originally began his recruitment campaign with the French Air Force prior to France succumbing to the German invasion. Upon the USA entering the war, the Eagle Squadrons were absorbed by the American Eighth Air Force (of the USAAF) and became the 4th Fighter Group.In this the RAF\u2019s centenary year, Ford has decided to honour these brave men with the one-off Eagle Squadron Ford Mustang as a tribute to those that made up the three Eagle Squadrons. The unique Mustang is based on a heavily modified Mustang GT with a carbon-fibre wide-body kit and an impressive 700bhp \u2013 an increase of 256bhp over the GT thanks to a supercharger added to the 5-litre V8 engine.A Tactical Performance suspension kit helps to control all that power. Curiously enough, the original Mustang has its own connections with World War II aircraft, having been named after the P-51 Mustang fighter-bomber.The car comes courtesy of Vaughn Gittin Jnr\u2019s RTR Vehicles (tuning) and Ford Performance, who have combined to produce this very special car, strikingly decked out in RAF wartime colours. The Mustang will appropriately debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 12.The festival is based at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, and within this large space is RAF Westhampnett, where many USA air squadrons were based during WWII. So it seems to be the perfect venue and will no doubt generate much interest in the real life Eagle Squadrons (there is also a film called Eagle Squadron made in 1942 based on the American pilots\u2019 story and their involvement in the Battle of Britain and our coastal defences).On July 12, those lucky enough to be at Goodwood can see the one-off Mustang driven by world drifting champion Vaughn Gittin Jnr as he powers the Ford along the Duke of Richmond\u2019s driveway which is just over a mile in length. This will be the only chance to see the Mustang in action – the rest of the festival will see it become a static object to garner admiration. It\u2019s certainly been a good period for Ford and Mustang, as the Eagle Squadron model arrives hot on the heels of the very fine Steve McQueen Mustang Bullitt movie tribute announced earlier this year.Following Goodwood, the Eagle Squadron Mustang will be put up for auction at the Experimental Aircraft Association\u2019s AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at the end of July. So rather like the original Eagle Squadrons, the car will be in action for a whirlwind of a short time and will surely be remembered and appreciated for long after. Proceeds of the auction will go towards youth education programmes in the area.Images: motortrend.com, autoexpress.co.uk"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"700bhp Eagle Squadron Ford Mustang","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/700bhp-eagle-squadron-ford-mustang\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]