Dearborn, MI ‐ There is arguably no better way to ‘Get Your Heart Racing’ faster than by jumping into the driver’s seat of the all new 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 and unleashing its 662 heartpounding horsepower towards a top speed north of 200 mph. No better way, that is, unless the Shelby GT500 is a one‐of‐a‐kind vehicle unlike any other on the road.
Executives from Henry Ford Health System and Ford Motor Company gathered at the Lingenfelter Collection in Brighton, MI this month to announce that a unique 1‐of‐1 version of this Super ‘Stang will be produced and made available exclusively via an auction to be held at the Henry Ford’s Get Your Heart Racing fundraiser on September 22, 2012 at the ultra‐private Ford test track in Dearborn.
“Even with his rich racing pedigree, it’s hard to imagine what Henry Ford might have thought had he ever encountered such a massively powerful vehicle as the 2013 Shelby GT500,” said John Felice, general manager Ford and Lincoln Marketing. “However, we’re fairly certain he’d be thrilled that the vehicle carried the Ford oval AND that it was being auctioned to support the critically important work of saving lives.”
Get Your Heart Racing is more than just Henry Ford Health System’s most successful fundraiser – it’s a car enthusiast’s dream come true ‐‐ an exclusive opportunity to experience Dearborn’s renown test track and proving grounds with hot laps, drag races, wet pad tests, coned driving challenges and off‐road
experiences. Visit www.getyourheartracing.org to watch a three minute video from last year’s event and learn more about the specific driving elements and ticket opportunities.
Following the driving events, guests will kick back at the Pit Party to watch a drifting and driving demonstration hosted by world‐class professional drivers. Then they can hang out with the drivers and enjoy amazing food, beverages and entertainment. And, one very lucky participant will win a brand new
tricked‐out Ford Focus – how’s that for the ultimate door prize raffle!
“The September 22 date needs to be etched into the minds of any auto and Ford enthusiasts who have always wanted to experience the Ford test track, but never had the opportunity – that is, until now,” said Sandy Hudson, Senior Development Officer at Henry Ford Health System. “Spend the afternoon in a veritable auto nirvana and then, in the evening, let the pros take over and show us all how it’s really done. Like the Shelby GT 500 that we’ll auction, this event is truly one of a kind.”
• Henry Ford Health System and Ford Motor Company join forces on the 2012 “Get Your Heart Racing” fundraiser at the Ford Dearborn test track on September 22, 2012.
• A unique and muscular 1‐of‐1 Ford Shelby GT500 will be auctioned with revenue supporting the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute. A customized Ford Focus will be given as a door prize.
• Event will offer a multitude of performance driving activities and exhibitions.
The 1‐of‐1 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, customized by Ford designer and former Henry Ford patient Melvin Betancourt, features a stunning white exterior paint scheme with contrasting white graphics and 20” white wheels. The racing‐inspired cockpit boasts white leather Recaro seats stitched with a black contrast thread for an overall design theme that is worthy of this car’s outstanding heritage.
The Ford Focus “giveaway” vehicle is also a one‐of‐a –kind vehicle outfitted with “Euro Series” body kit from aftermarket specialist, 3d Carbon. The vehicle exudes confidence with an aggressive stance and styling cues including a rear spoiler, custom exhaust and black tuxedo metallic paint with solid white asymmetrical competition stripes and high performance 20‐inch Forgiato wheels.
“Shelby” driving tickets for the full day’s driving events including the Pit Party are $1,000 each or $1,750 for a two person team. Tickets for the evening Pit Party are $250. Both tickets include sumptuous food, beverage, music, the drifting demonstration, the chance to win the Ford Focus and the opportunity to tour the legendary track and mingle with professional drivers. Event proceeds benefit the important work of the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute at Henry Ford Health System. A portion of the ticket purchase is tax deductible.
All guests will be able to bid on a range of fabulous auction items including the 1‐of‐1 Shelby GT500. Phone bidders are also welcome for the vehicle auction.
For more information, please visit www.getyourheartracing.org .
About the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute:
With a history that spans more than 90 years, the institute has earned international recognition as a leader and innovator in comprehensive cardiovascular care, research and education. Established in 1946, the cardiac training program is one of the longest running in the U.S., and the first in Michigan. The
program is one of only three in Michigan for advanced heart failure treatment options and one of the few programs in the U.S. offering robot-assisted laparoscopic aortic surgery.
About the Lingenfelter Collection:
What started out as five cars packed into a modest three-car garage has since grown into a beautiful collection of more than 150 unique cars in a 40,000 square foot space. Today, the Collection holds a variety of Corvettes, muscle cars, and exotics. Several vehicles in the Collection are among the most rare automobiles in the world, including a Bugatti Veyron, an Enzo Ferrari, and a Lamborghini Reventón. While the collection currently is not open to the public, it is available for corporate and charity events, silent and live auctions, and car-club specialty showings. For more information please visit www.thelingenfeltercollection.com or call (248) 486-5342 Ext. 10.
Get Your Heart Racing One-of-One Auction Vehicle The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Overview
Ford didn’t just up the ante with the new 2013 GT500, they went all in and created a Mustang designed to make the competition slink way from the table. The result is the most powerful Pony ever with 662hp and 600lb-ft of torque and a top speed over 200mph.
To achieve this amazing level of performance, Ford’s SVT Team bored out the GT500’s 5.4-liter aluminum block V-8 to 5.8 liters. Engineers refined, tuned and tweaked the cylinder block, the heads and many other components to squeeze every possible bit of additional muscle out of an already powerful V8. Their efforts resulted in a powerplant that produces over 100 more horsepower hp and 90 lb-ft more torque than the outgoing 2012 model. This isn’t just the most muscular factory Mustang engine ever built. It is the most powerful production V-8 on the planet.
From an exterior perspective, the aggressive good look of the 2013 Shelby GT500 is also highly functional. The front fascia was designed to maximize down force while minimizing drag and providing enhanced cooling. The front end also features a new front splitter and front grills that work together to provide increased downforce and keep the tires firmly planted on the road even when speeds are in the triple digit range.
The 2013 GT500 Special Edition Auction Car
For the 2012 Get Your Heart Racing Charity Auction on September 22, 2012, the Henry Ford Hospital has once again called on the special creative talents of Ford designer Melvin Betancourt. A former patient of the Henry Ford Hospital, Melvin feels that he owes his life to the hospital and the surgery that they performed on him. In an effort to thank the dedicated team at Henry Ford Hospital, he’s focused all of his design talents on creating a very special edition 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 for the benefit of the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the legendary Shelby GT500. So, Melvin wanted to create a one-of-a-kind Shelby that was true to the spirit of the original, but with a modern, sophisticated level of performance and appearance. Finished in a special white exterior paint scheme that features unique white exterior paint and contrasting white graphics and 20” white wheels – the exterior appearance is nothing short of breathtaking.
The racing-inspired cockpit boasts special white leather Recaro seats stitched with a black contrast thread for a truly unique look to complete an overall design theme that is worthy of this legendary car’s outstanding heritage.
With uncompromised performance, handling, and luxury – the 2013 Shelby GT500 will satisfy the most sophisticated and discerning automotive enthusiast. This is a very special one-of-a-kind vehicle that would even make Carroll Shelby smile today!
Amazing Get Your Heart Racing Ford Focus Door Prize!
2012 Custom Ford Focus
The all-new Ford Focus sets a new standard in the small car segment. A product of Ford Motor Company’s One Ford strategy, Focus is a truly global vehicle that offers more technologies and features than many expensive European cars, while delivering up to 40 mpg on the highway. The new Ford Focus combines contemporary, dynamic design, outstanding driver engagement, unmatched levels of technology, exhilarating performance and impressive fuel economy. Now, a very special edition of the 2012 Ford Focus will be given to one lucky contributor who purchases a ticket for the 2012 Get Your Heart Racing Charity Auction on September 22, 2012 that will benefit Henry Ford Hospital.
This one-of-a-kind Focus has been outfitted with “Euro Series” body kit from aftermarket design specialist, 3d Carbon. The result is a vehicle that exudes confidence with an aggressive stance and styling cues that include a rear spoiler, custom exhaust and black tuxedo metallic paint with solid white asymmetrical competition stripes. High-performance 20-inch Forgiato wheels help deliver road-hugging performance and add a finishing touch to the bold, aerodynamic look. The interior design complements the unique exterior with black leather that features white contrast 220 thread stitching.