Presidential Power

Shelby GT350 auction benefits George W. Bush Institute’s military charity

By Steve Turner
Photos by Brian Henniker and courtesy of Gooding & Company

If you are a fan of presidential collectibles and fast cars, there’s an auction taking place at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that just might interest you. Signed by President George W. Bush, this rare Mustang’s sale will benefit the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative, which is designed to help post-9/11 veterans and military families transition from military service to civilian life.

“I thank the Sondland-Durant Foundation, Ford Motor Company, Gooding & Company, and Jay Leno for their generosity in supporting the Military Service Initiative at the Bush Center,” President George W. Bush said. “I also want to thank whoever buys this beautiful car for contributing to a worthy cause. You are helping ensure that our transitioning veterans and their families get the support they need and deserve, and I’m grateful.”

Jay Leno is offering his support for the initiative by hosting the auction of this Track Package-optioned 2016 Shelby GT350 at Pebble Beach.

“This is one of the most exotic engines ever produced by a major American manufacturer plus the fact that it’s going into the most American of cars,” Jay Leno said. “I am proud to help auction this car off where the proceeds will go to helping our veterans.”

Yes the Flat-Plane-Crank 5.2-liter engine in the new GT350 is enough to make this car an American exotic, but the fact that this is a preproduction unit signed by a former president makes it all the more rare.

The auction will take place Saturday, August 15 at 5:00 p.m., and if you can’t make it to Pebble Beach for the auction, you can watch the livestream right here.

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