Combining his love of aviation with an ability to get maximum performance from a Ford V-8 engine, Roush created the P-51A Mustang – a 510-horsepower road rocket named for America’s most-powerful World War II-era fighter plane.
Starting with a standard Mustang GT, the Roush crew in Livonia, Michigan, went to work improving its 4.6-liter V-8, which already produces a healthy 300 horsepower from the Ford factory. After stripping it to the block and modifying it with a motorhead’s dream list of exotic parts, including a ROUSHcharger supercharger, technicians were able to boost output to 510 horsepower. The aircraft-inspired supercar also received Roush’s Stage 3 suspension upgrades, competition-grade four-wheel disc brake rotors, and 18-inch chromed alloy wheels. Aerodynamic Roush body panels were fitted to the exterior, and the passenger compartment received leather sports seating and other equipment specific to the P-51A model.
The silver-and-black body mimics the fuselage of a typical WWII fighter plane. All Roush P-51As wear red-and-yellow checkered fender badges that commemorate the 357th Fighter Group – Mustang pilots whose 695 air victories over England and Germany ranked the highest in the 8th Air Force. During the car’s debut at the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in Las Vegas in 2007, Jack Roush announced he would only build 100 P-51A Mustangs, but dealer response convinced him to increase production to 151 units a month later.
Roush donated car no. 104 to Concord-based Speedway Children’s Charities to aid its fundraising efforts. Tom Mack Classics will sell the P-51A, which currently has only 25 miles on the odometer, at no reserve on Friday, Sept. 11, during its one-day Auction @ AutoFair. Tom Mack estimates the sale of the Mustang (lot no. 225) will take place around 7:00 p.m.
The Fall Food Lion AutoFair annually attracts more than 120,000 visitors to Lowe’s Motor Speedway. It features more than 50 car club displays and more than 7,000 vendor spaces that offer a huge array of automotive parts and memorabilia.
More than 2,000 collectible vehicles of all makes and models will be available for sale in the car corral that rings the 1.5-mile superspeedway.
Food Lion AutoFair hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults. Tickets are $10 for adults while children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Parking for the event is $5.
For more information, contact the Lowe’s Motor Speedway events department at (704) 455-3205 or visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
