Scottsdale, AZ (February 5, 2008) -- Ford Motor Company and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation rocked the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event with the auction of their matching limited edition Shelby GT Mustang and Stratocaster. This year the duo raised $550,000, nearly matching last year''s $600,000.
The event, held January 12-20, had a record-number 280,000 attendants who spent more than $88 million. On Saturday, January 19, the limited edition 40th Anniversary Ford Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustang coupe -- with matching Fender Stratocaster guitar -- raised $550,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The 540-horsepower Mustang is one of approximately 1,000 built, and is the first and only car offered with a “segment-exclusive” glass roof complete with Shelby’s signature racing stripes frosted on the glass.
The Stratocaster, first of a 100-piece limited edition run (serial number 000), features a replica of Carroll Shelby’s autograph, the Cobra logo, Shelby hood stripes and a hand-painted “GT500KR” body graphic. The guitar’s neck has a “Powered by Ford” custom graphic on the back, and the fingerboard has “GT500KR” and “Shelby” mother of pearl inlays at the 7th and 12th frets. The hardshell case is custom-embroidered with Ford and Shelby graphics.
“Fender is extremely proud to partner with Ford during this year’s Barrett-Jackson event, both from a charitable perspective and in an effort to spread the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll within the Ford environment,” said Brian Tedeschi, FMIC business affairs manager. “We’re ecstatic that we were able to help Ford raise more than half a million dollars for charity, as well as make a little noise at Barrett-Jackson by providing entertainment and musical experiences to car enthusiasts from around the world.”
Throughout the week-long event, Fender’s specially created environment within the Ford booth featured hourly live musical performances and daily Stratocaster giveaways. Guests could also play guitars and basses, recording their sounds into Ford USB flash drives that could be played back in Ford vehicles equipped with the Microsoft SYNC audio system. There was also a “Fender-ized” Ford Mustang customized with a prototype Fender car audio system developed by Fender Licensing partner Panasonic Audio Systems and a built-in Fender G-DEC® 30 guitar amplifier in the trunk.
For more information: Fender and Ford.
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