The Iacocca Mustang: From Concept to Collector

The creation of the 2009 Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang was unlike any other special edition Mustang before it. Each of the 45 cars was the result of a unique collaboration between visionaries, designers, craftsmen, and Ford itself. Here's how these legendary cars came to life:

1. The Vision

The project was conceived to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Ford Mustang, a vehicle originally championed by Lee Iacocca during his time at Ford. Rather than simply putting his name on a standard edition, Iacocca wanted something truly special—a car that paid homage to the Mustang's roots while looking boldly into the future. Working with long-time collaborator Michael Leone, a concept was developed that combined modern Ford engineering with custom bodywork, hand-built craftsmanship, and unmistakable presence.

2. Ford and the Donor Chassis

The base for every Iacocca Mustang began with a 2009 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe, complete with the 4.6L V8 engine and 5-speed manual Tremec TR-3650 transmission. These cars were purchased directly from Ford, then shipped for coachbuilding.

3. Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters

From Ford, the donor cars were delivered to Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters in Fountain Valley, California. Known for their expertise in high-end coachbuilding and prototype development, Metalcrafters was responsible for the entire transformation:

The factory body panels were removed.
Custom fastback rooflines were handcrafted in aluminum.
Unique front and rear fascias were sculpted.
Interiors were trimmed in diamond-stitched black leather.
Performance and handling were enhanced using Ford Racing components.
Each car was hand-finished and test-driven before delivery.

No two cars were identical; many were optioned with upgrades such as Whipple superchargers or Brembo brake packages at the customer’s request.

4. Sales and Distribution

Unlike standard Ford production cars, the Iacocca Mustangs were not sold through traditional dealerships nationwide. Instead, all 45 units were exclusively sold through Galpin Ford in Southern California, one of the largest and most well-known Ford dealers in the country. Each car came with a Certificate of Authenticity, a numbered dash plaque, and, in many cases, a letter or signature from Lee Iacocca himself.

5. Legacy and Rarity

Of the 45 cars built:

All were painted in Iacocca Silver, a custom-blended color not available on any other Mustang.
Most remained in the U.S., but a few were exported to international collectors.
Fewer than half are believed to be supercharged.

The result is a truly unique Mustang that bridges past and future, production and coachbuilt, mass appeal and exclusivity.

Today, the Iacocca Mustang stands as one of the rarest and most collectible special editions Ford has ever produced.

Want to learn more? Explore our Vehicle Registry to see each car’s story unfold.