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Ford me to the moon: Mustang meets Apollo (pictures)

Ford's one-of-a-kind Apollo Edition Mustang, to be auctioned at the Experimental Aircraft Association's Gathering of Eagles gala, is a thing of beauty.

Michelle Starr
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
Michelle Starr
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The one-of-a-kind 2015 Mustang has been modelled after the Saturn V rocket, which ferried the Apollo modules -- and human passengers -- out beyond low-Earth orbit, and from thence the moon. To date, it's the only rocket ever built that's capable of doing so.

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The car's body is white, with black on the roof and hood. This is reminiscent of the Saturn V's roll pattern markings. These black-and-white patterns are painted on rockets to make it easier to gauge if the rocket is rolling

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The underside of the car is fitted with LEDs that glow bright orange -- symbolising the heat generated when a module returning from space generates heat re-entering Earth's atmosphere.

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The rear of the car bears a specially designed "Apollo Edition" badge, modelled after the official NASA Apollo logo.

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The front splitter -- a plate designed to reduce lift at high speeds, usually seen on racing cars -- is made from carbon fibre.

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Markings on the Mustang's body echo those on the Saturn V rocket. "UNITED STATES" is painted down the middle section of the rocket.

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The rocket also bears the American flag -- seen here on the car's side.

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Like the front splitter, the rear diffuser, rocker moldings and accent treatments are also carbon fibre.

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The instrument cluster and performance gauges have been specially designed.

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The front seats are embroidered with a special Apollo project logo.

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Meanwhile, the rear seat is embroidered with the complete set of collectible Apollo mission patches.

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The Apollo Edition Mustang will be on display all week in the Ford hangar at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015. It will be auctioned at the Gathering of Eagles gala on July 23.

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