Great Mustangs

By Justin Couture

It probably isn’t a big surprise to hear that the United States Air Force is having trouble with recruitment. In the wake of a few other (less than successful) campaigns, the U.S.A.F. has commissioned Galpin Auto Sports – best known for its Pimp My Ride creations – to build a pair of custom modified vehicles to capture the attention of would-be enlisters

The Vapor is based on the Dodge Challenger. Inspired by Knight Rider’s KITT, the Vapor's main goal is to fly under the radar. Its all-black exterior features Galpin’s “Stealth” body kit, radar-absorbing paint, custom carbon fibre wheels, plus a custom exhaust system that allows the car to be driven in silence. Other gadgety features include steering wheels for driver and passenger, proximity sensors, and a 360-degree camera that has a vision range of a quarter mile.

The U.S.A.F.'s second car, the X-1, is based on the Ford Mustang GT Coupe, but it’s been decked out with scissor doors, a body kit and a tuned engine that kicks out 500 horsepower. But the real differences are found inside. The Mustang’s cabin was gutted and replaced with a jet-fighter style layout, complete with three LCD screens for night and thermal vision displays, a joystick in place of the steering wheel and an ejection seat.

The two vehicles will make their rounds across the United States this year, highlighting the U.S. Air Force’s 2009 Super Car Tour. It’s set to stop at Air Force-sponsored motorsports events including the DUB magazine auto show, Hot Import Nights, Battle of the Imports and Formula Drift races.

 The X-1's interior

- For more images of the X-1, click here.

- For more images of the Vapor, click here.