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Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Signed by Former President George W. Bush Fetches $885,000

Ah, the almighty Ford Mustang and its badass 5.2-liter flat-plane V8. Sure, we like classic muscle cars, but the 2016 GT350 is a beauty of its own. Add a little bit of celebrity salt and pepper on top, on you may end up with a hell of a charity auction.
Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Signed by Former President George Bush Fetches $885,000 1 photo
Photo: Ford
You may recall our former president, George W. Bush, the U.S. leader who has launched the famous War on Terror, an international military campaign that included the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some have praised his military calls, others have criticized them, but it would appear he is trying to wash down some of the controversies nowadays.

We’re referring to the George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative, an organization that honors the service and sacrifice of veterans and military families post-September 11, 2001, by improving their well-being and helping unleash their potential. At least that’s how the PR talk goes like.

For the auction in question, the former president has commissioned Jay Leno - a renown car enthusiast who also has a soft spot for military veterans. Ford allocated the 2016 Shelby GT350 preproduction unit to the retired television star through Sondland Durant Foundation in support of the Bush’s Institute.

Wait, the celebrity factor goes even deeper with this one. In June, Henry Ford III joined Bush for a walk-around of the car at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. With the occasion, the former President of the U.S. drove the Shelby GT350 and signed the car’s dash.

Leno drove the Shelby GT350 onto the auction block and, together with Henry Ford III, helped amp up the bidding excitement. Peter W. Chiarelli, a retired U.S. general who served as the 32nd vice chief of staff of the Army, was also on the auction block and carried out his offer to perform push-ups for additional funds donated. As we mentioned, bidding for the Shelby reached an impressive $700,000, which was increased to $885,000 by donations from auction guests.

We said it before, we’ll say it again. Famous people truly have the power to make this world a better place and we can't but tip our hats in front of those who do it already.
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