• Last production unit of the 50 Years Limited Edition Ford Mustang, carrying badge No. 1,964, will be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson, with all proceeds going to Get Your Heart Racing, a fundraising event supporting Henry Ford Health System’s Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute

• Winning bidder will receive a VIP package to the Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where a preproduction unit of the 50 Years Limited Edition Mustang will serve as official pace car

• A 50 Years Limited Edition Mustang will be shown at the Get Your Heart Racing Pit Party, a spectacular fundraiser to be held at Eastern Market in Detroit, Friday, Sept. 12

Henry Ford Health System’s Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute will be the beneficiary when the coveted final production 50 Years Limited Edition 2015 Ford Mustang, badge No. 1,964, is offered at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction Sept. 25-27. Ford will build only 1,964 units of the 50 Years Limited Edition Mustang fastback in honor of the year the pony car debuted.

“Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “The visceral look, sound and performance of Mustang resonates with people, even if they’ve never driven one. Mustang is definitely more than just a car – it is the heart and soul of Ford Motor Company.”

That makes it all the more fitting that this rare 50 Years Limited Edition Mustang will be auctioned as part of the annual Get Your Heart Racing program to raise funds for the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute at Henry Ford Health System.

Each limited-edition car features a plaque on the instrument panel engraved with a serial number and the signature of Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford. A version of this Mustang will be displayed publicly at the Get Your Heart Racing Pit Party sponsored by Crest Automotive Group, Friday, Sept. 12 at Eastern Market in Detroit.

50 Years Limited Edition Ford Mustang
Based on the all-new 2015 Mustang GT fastback with performance package, the 50 Years Limited Edition model is designed to provide customers with outstanding performance and a unique appearance that will be instantly recognizable. Complete vehicle specs and images of the base car can be found here.

One enthusiast has the opportunity to become the owner of one of the rarest of this limited stock, and it’s likely many of the most serious Mustang fans will be involved in the bidding.

Barrett-Jackson auction and Ford Championship Weekend
After the Get Your Heart Racing Pit Party in Detroit, attention turns to Las Vegas for the Barrett-Jackson auction. Mustang No. 1,964 can be built to the customer’s specifications including being produced in either Kona Blue or Wimbledon White.

The winning bidder has the option to transform Mustang No. 1,964 into a one-of-a-kind replica of the official Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway pace car, or keep it as stock. According to Barrett-Jackson, pace cars have been among the most desirable vehicles in years past. As a final bonus, the winning bidder can choose to have a free supercharger installed to increase the horsepower of the legendary pony car.

In addition to the pride of owning this custom car, the auction winner will receive a VIP package to the Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 14-16, where a preproduction unit of the 50 Years Limited Edition Mustang will pace the race.

The winning package includes airfare, hotel accommodations and two VIP tickets to the track. As part of the experience, the winning bidder has the opportunity to ride along in the official pace car as a Ford NASCAR driver completes hot laps around Homestead-Miami Speedway prior to the race.

Last year, Get Your Heart Racing auctioned the “movie-star” Mustang that appeared in the Dreamworks box-office smash “Need for Speed” – a film adaptation of the popular video game of the same name. When the Barrett-Jackson auctioneer’s gavel ended the spirited bidding, that Mustang had sold for $300,000, causing the packed house to erupt in cheers.

Get Your Heart Racing
“The Get Your Heart Racing program has become our biggest annual fundraiser, and everybody who participates seems to love it,” said Sandy Hudson, chief development officer, Henry Ford Hospital. “With the help of our sponsors – especially Ford Motor Company – we’re looking to 2014 to be our biggest and best year yet.”

Get Your Heart Racing is co-produced by Henry Ford Health System and Ford Motor Company in support of the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute. Honorary chairpersons of this year’s event are Paul and Lynn Ford Alandt and Raj Nair. The Pit Party at Eastern Market promises scrumptious food and drink, live entertainment, incredible auction items and the opportunity to meet executives from Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford Health System and other business leaders.

For more information on the Get Your Heart Racing program, or to purchase event tickets, please visit www.GetYourHeartRacing.org or contact Kim Streich at 734.246.9639 or kstreic1@HFHS.org.

2014 Get Your Heart Racing sponsors include Ford Motor Company, Crest Automotive Group, Comerica Bank, Continental Catering and Events, Heidie M. Gorno, Superior Ambulance, Novelis, Lear Corporation, Panasonic Automotive Systems of America, Fritz Enterprises, ISIS Medical, Village Ford, Penske Corporation, Powerlink, Dassault Systèmes, Ken and Marilyn Way, Goodyear, Dakkota Integrated Systems, Detroit Manufacturing Systems, Team Detroit, Faurecia, W.F. Whelan Company, the Honorable Sandy and Lisa Baruah, and R.H. Bluestein Company.

Ride-and-drives
Ford will offer ride-and-drives and hot lap experiences for attendees of the Barrett-Jackson auction. The ride-and-drives will feature the 2015 Expedition for the first time this year. Ford’s 2014 lineup, including the Mustang GT, Focus ST and Fiesta ST, will also be available for ride-and-drives. Additionally, professional drivers from Miller Motorsports Park will offer hot laps in the Shelby American-built GT350, GT500 Super Snake and Shelby Focus ST.