"I've often said that there was never a Mustang built that I didn't like, and that includes both the car and the airplane," said Jack Roush, an aviation enthusiast who owns two P-51 Mustang warbirds.
Now Roush is adding the P-51 nomenclature to a new Mustang from Roush Performance. Revealed at last November s SEMA Show, the Roush P-51A Mustang boasts 510 horsepower and 510 lb. ft. of torque.
Easily the highest horsepower Mustang ever produced by Roush, the P-51A represents the first time that internal engine components have been upgraded by technicians at Roush s Livonia, Michigan, facility. It was determined that the only way to give the P-51A moniker its due was to rebuild the 4.6L engine with a forged steel crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons with increased dish to lower compression, and forged steel H-Beam connecting rods. These upgraded parts were necessary for the stock Ford engine to be able to withstand the additional power generated by the newest iteration of the Roushcharger supercharger system.
Additional modifications include a custom aluminum upper and lower intake manifold for a high capacity air-to-water intercooler. Roush also installs a custom fuel rail and high-flow fuel injectors, a high-flow capacity fuel system, and a dual throttle body.
Other Roush P-51A components include a Roush aerobody kit, white-face gauges, short-throw shifter, billet aluminum pedals, Roush sport leather seating with P-51A embroidery, 18-inch five-spoke wheels, and Stage 3 suspension components.
The yellow and red accent colors come from the 357th Fighters Group, whose victory totals in air-to-air combat were the most of any P-51 group in the Eighth Air Force during World War II.
The Roush P-51A is slated to begin production in the first quarter of 2008 and will be limited to 100 vehicles. Pricing had not been set at press time. Visit www.roushperformance.com for more information.