WINNER OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY DRAG RACE TO RECEIVE MUSTANG “PINK SLIP” AT BARRETT-JACKSON PALM BEACH AUCTION
Ford Also to Auction Cars with Proceeds to Benefit to “Salute to Education” Program
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 27, 2008 – Ford Motor Company and the South Florida Ford Dealers will give the pink slip for a 2008 V6 Ford Mustang to the winner of a series of simulated drag races on Saturday, March 29, 2008, during the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on March 29 in West Palm Beach, Fla. In addition, Ford will sell six high profile vehicles during the weekend event with proceeds to benefit Salute to Education. SPEED will broadcast the sale of approximately 600 cars at No Reserve during its auction coverage in the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
“Barrett-Jackson events are designed to give enthusiasts a ‘total experience’ that is unmatched,” said Steve Davis, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction. “In addition to the fantastic cars that will roll across the block at No Reserve, we’ve worked with partners to create interactive experiences like Ford’s drag race. It gives everyone an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to roar down a simulated drag strip in a real car. And someone will win the ultimate souvenir, the title to a new Mustang.”
Ford has created a “drag strip” at the event with a pair of actual V6 Mustangs in front of an NHRA style “Christmas tree” set of lights that simulate a quarter mile drag strip. Individuals enter a drawing for the chance to compete in a series of eliminations where the winner is determined by a combination of reaction and elapsed time. On Saturday, a series of rounds will be held from the best times until two people face off to win a new V6 Ford Mustang that will include Ford Racing’s FR1 power upgrade package and FR3 Handling Pack. The drag race winner will be crowned around 4 PM on Saturday; they will then receive instructions and credit to take to their local dealer to select their V6 Ford Mustang.
“The relationship between Ford Motor Company and Barrett-Jackson in Southern Florida has been beneficial for everyone,” said Rob Johnston, Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company Florida Region. “We’re showing some of our latest products, selling several cars for charity and have our fantastic drag racing experience. This interactive display will put people into one of the most exciting seats in the house, behind the wheel of a V6 Mustang. Once the dust settles, someone will even get to take one of these fast ponies home thanks to our South Florida Ford dealers.”
The V6 Mustang is part Ford’s “steed for every need” program. The pony car comes in both coupe and convertible body styles, with a 4-liter engine that produces 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The engine can be paired with a 5-speed manual 5-speed automatic or transmission. The credit from Ford is for a base V6 car and the winner can choose from a variety of colors at the local dealer.
In addition to displaying an array of production and custom Fords, the Company is sending six vehicles across the block with all proceeds to benefit charity. These include two of the KITT Ford Shelby Mustangs used in NBC’s “Knight Rider” pilot (Lot #665 and 665.1), a 2008 ROUSH P-51A Mustang (Lot #667), a 2005 SALEEN Mustang prototype/development car (Lot 48), a 2007 “Dub Edition” Lincoln MKZ (Lot #367.1) and a custom 2006 Mercury Milan Voga “Miami Auto Show vehicle” (Lot #926) will be sold at No Reserve.
Ford Motor Company, participating Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers and Ford Motor Credit fund Salute to Education. Through programs such as Salute to Education, more than $7 million has been given to high school students over the last 16 years to jumpstart their education with scholarships for college.
With all proceeds benefiting Salute to Education, the cars will join a long list of cars in Palm Beach that will be auctioned for charity including several from the hit HBO series “The Sopranos.” On March 26, Barrett-Jackson hosted their annual Opening Night Gala to raise money for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During the 2007 Palm Beach event, Barrett-Jackson raised over $500,000 for various charities.
About Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more information.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 245,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
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