One-of-a-kind Mustang sells for $398,000 in charity benefit auction

AMARILLO, Texas, Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Amarillo auctioneer Spanky Assiter sells a lot of unique – and expensive – cars as the official auctioneer of Barrett-Jackson, whose ultra-high-end automobile auctions are frequently featured on the SPEED Network. But even for Assiter, it's not every day you get $398,000 for a current model Ford Mustang.

It wasn't just any Mustang, to be sure. It was the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Edition, created by Ford to be auctioned at the Experimental Aircraft Association's recent AirVenture Show in Oshkosh, Wisc. Decorated to match the famous F-16 Falcons flown by the USAF Thunderbirds – with a red, white and blue exterior – it has a glass roof, 22-inch wheels and a painted belly pan matching the bottoms of the jets. And it carries the Serial Number #0001.

"It was really something to see. Ford builds a car every year to be sold at auction to benefit the EAA AirVentures Young Eagles organization, which encourages interest in aviation among young people and has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.7 million youth since 1992," said Assiter. "The Thunderbirds theme had special meaning this year because it commemorates the flight team's 60^th anniversary, and it was a privilege to conduct the auction."

Bidding on the Mustang opened at $50,000 and rose rapidly before beginning to thin out as it passed the $300,000 mark. "This wasn't just about the car, though it's truly an item worthy of the most elite collections. But this is also an annual event where bidders are passionate about the cause," said Assiter.

In all, the auction of 18 items brought a total of $1.129 million for the Young Eagles program, said Assiter, who now returns to his day-to-day work of selling vehicles, equipment, land, homes and other assets for his Amarillo-based company, Assiter Auctioneers. Upcoming auctions include the lender-ordered sale of the 16,000-acre Chapman's McLean Ranch, as well as Surprise Valley Ranch in San Miguel County, N.M. Individuals seeking additional information may call 800-283-8005 or visit assiter.com.

For more information:
Carl Carter, 205-823-3273

SOURCE Assiter Auctioneers