Air Force pony car retired after decade of recruitment
A new craft has landed at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. And it's not packing wings but rather wheels.
Called the X-1 Mustang, the car, which indeed is one of Ford's iconic pony cars, was built in 2009 and modeled after the first aircraft to break the speed of sound. That feat occurred in 1947 under the control of U.S. Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager, who flew to over 1,600 mph.
This project was one of a pair of custom-built cars commissioned by the Air Force Recruiting Service in 2009. Galphin Auto Sports of Van Nuys, California, took on the build, which features a cockpit-styled cabin.
The X-1 Mustang has an ejection seat in the middle and a simulated flight stick. Other touches inspired by the skies include a concealed, motorized steering wheel, GPS transponder and night and thermal vision displays. Forward thrust comes by way of a 500-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 engine.
After a decade of being on the road, traveling and touring the U.S. to be shown to the public — as well as officers and enlisted airmen — the special steed is coming to rest at the museum. It'll be parked in the ground's Kettering Hall, with two additional Recruiting Service vehicles: a Stealth-inspired Dodge Challenger and a motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers.
Lego Fiat 500
Mamma Mia! Lego has released a new kit that allows enthusiasts to build the ever cheery and always charming classic Fiat 500.
The vehicle is part of the toy brand's Creator Expert set and is modeled after the iconic 1965 500F. The 960-piece model only comes in a Cool Yellow color and measures 4 inches wide by 9 inches long.
The model features a functioning folding canvas sunroof, white wall tires and an opening hood. Pop it and you'll find the stowed spare tire. Both cabin doors open to reveal a detailed dash and seats that pull forward, allowing access to the tiny back seat.
Around the back of the little runabout, the rear hatch does open and reveals a detailed engine, which, in full scale, would be 499 cubic centimeters in size. There's also a rear luggage rack complete with a cute little suitcase. It's covered in stickers from travels around the Mediterranean.
All that cruising through the Italian countryside is sure to spark some creativity and Lego has accounted for this when imagination strikes. Included is a folding easel, brush, paint palette and even a faux painting of the little car parked in front of the Colosseum in Rome.
Three different stickers are included to use for the license plate, mimicking the ones you'd see on cars in Italy, Denmark and Germany. The set is on sale now for $89.99.
Ferrari Grand Tour
Company founder Enzo Ferrari's birthday was on Feb. 18 and in celebration, the brand's museum is taking guests on a whirlwind worldwide tour.
However, the entire tour takes place right at its location in Modena, Italy, where a new exhibit showcases the international connections and global fervor Ferrari has had over the years.
Five cities spanning multiple continents are represented and each speak to different regions that have significance to the iconic brand. Vehicles on display are pulled from Ferrari's stable of grand tourers — bigger, comfy, yet sporty cruisers that would be a surefire delight to zip cross country to actually visit these sights.
Each area gets an arch and accompanying multimedia presentation. The Paris arch speaks to such events as the International Motor Show where numerous unveilings occurred, included the 1954 Ferrari 375 MM, a one-off commissioned from Pininfarina by Roberto Rossellini as a gift for his wife, Ingrid Bergman.
Moving over to the United Kingdom, the Goodward arch displays an iconic Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Coming stateside, the U.S. area has cars that speak to celebs and their cars.
Asia and Shanghai highlight a 2006 599 GTB Fiorano with bodywork decorated by the artist Lu Hao in the style of Song Dynasty porcelain. Ferraris are right at home in Abu Dhabi, in the Middle East, where luxury and passion for the Prancing Horse burns red hot. This area showcases an all-wheel-drive FF that was unveiled in 2011 at Ferrari World, a theme park located in the exotic city.
Finally, bringing things closer to home is Rome, in the brand's home country of Italy.
• Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.