What Is the Ford Mustang Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition?

“Sleek” is the name of the game with this celebratory Mustang, the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition. Based on the 2009 Mustang GT platform, it offers wholly unique body kitting, wheels, and a custom-stitched interior. With only 45 of these coachbuilt special anniversary cars made, this Mustang is one of the rarest S197 editions around. It was only available at Galpin Ford in Los Angeles, California; having been the largest Ford dealer in the world for 30 years running, they see a lot of noteworthy cars and trucks from the Blue Oval.

A Unique and Ultra-Rare Special Edition Mustang

The economic recession was hitting the auto industry hard in 2009. Ford wasn't in a position to make a limited production car that would properly celebrate 45 years of the Mustang (as the 40th Anniversary car had done, offering upgrades like a unique paint color and special body stripes). Instead, all of the V6 and GT trim cars for the 2009 model year received celebratory fender badges that displayed a galloping pony, horseshoe, and "45th Anniversary" text. It was a small touch that paid tribute in a way that was a product of the times.

But a group of enthusiasts had their minds set out to make something special: the Iacocca Silver 45th Edition Mustang, a much more involved celebration of this milestone for the car. It was a stunning collaboration between Lee Iacocca, Michael Leone, and Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters that created a car that looks like nothing else on the road.

To be sure, this Mustang is just as focused on performance as it is on style, as Mr. Iacocca would have it no other way. It came with Ford’s modular 3-valve 4.6-liter V8 engine, making 300 hp (or 400 hp with the optional supercharger). Plus, it came only with the 5-speed manual transmission. A Ford Racing Handling package and upgraded suspension help to improve the handling capability and get all that horsepower to the ground effectively.

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Mustang Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Exterior

The exterior is unmistakable for any other car and is surely one of the most attractive ways to showcase the color silver on a Mustang. There are Iacocca Design 20” chrome wheels, sunken headlights, a lowered stance, and a unique grille. It’s a fastback design that actually doesn’t feature a usable trunk (though we’re not sure what’s actually in that space under the rear decklid). Rear window louvers and unique body kitting bring the whole thing together, giving this Mustang a concept car-like aura. It’s topped off with Iacocca badging, including an Iacocca “I” rear center cap emblem and an Iacocca front badge that shows a charging Mustang that looks like it’s running right at you. It all comes together in a sleek, luxurious way that’s almost vaguely reminiscent of Bentleys from the time.

Mustang Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Interior

The interior featured unique black leather seats, with a distinctive diamond and V-style stitch pattern. Both the front and rear headrests have that same Iacocca horse logo, where the mustang looks like it’s actually escaping the emblem itself. Besides that, there’s an Iacocca “I” center logo on the steering wheel and “Iacocca” aluminum door sills on both sides. As you’d expect for such an important limited-run car, there’s also a large plaque atop the center dashboard, featuring the serial number and Lee Iacocca’s signature.

Mustang Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Price

In terms of price, this was a pretty expensive pony. The original dealer price at Galpin Ford was $89,950, but the first example (car number 001) sold at auction for $125,000. A 2018 Barrett-Jackson auction saw another Iacocca Silver Edition sell for $64,900. It’s impossible to predict collectible car trends (otherwise we’d all be very wealthy), but this S197 doesn’t seem as likely to covet a high bid as other Mustangs or vehicles from the time. However, for the ultimate Iacocca fans or those that want the sleekest looking 5th generation Mustang around, it could be hard to pass up one of these Iacocca specials if one pops up for sale.

Sources: Touring Galpin Auto Sports Proves to be a Gas for Visitors, Ford | 2009 Ford Mustang Lee Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition, MustangSpecs | A Look Back: Lee Iacocca Debuts Silver 45th Edition Ford Mustang, MotorTrend

Image Credit: Ford | Mustangs Daily | Barrett-Jackson | Concept Carz