Freedom Stang: 1,000 Horses Pay Tribute to Vets

Freedom Stang: 1,000 Horses Pay Tribute to Vets

It all started as a way to honor his father and father-in-law for their service to the country. Before long, Scott Perry’s Mustang tribute project took on a whole life of its own. Scott had several ideas for his pony but he mentioned it got out of hand. In a good way of course!

“My career has allowed me to work around a lot of veterans and active duty personnel,” Scott explained. “I’ve worked around countless people who have served, or are serving, our country, so my project evolved to pay tribute to all veterans from all branches.”

Scott decided that he wanted to travel the country paying respect to veterans and personally thanking them for their contributions to the United States. In order to do so in style, and bring attention to a worthy cause, he decided to modify a 2011 Mustang GT California Special to bring him to each destination. If you’re going to spend a lot of time on the road, you can bet you’re going to want to be driving a fun ride, so Scott upped the power of the Mustang to over 1,000 horsepower through the build.

With 22 veterans per day taking their own lives, Scott Perry is on a mission to thank veterans for their service and spread the word that they are appreciated – in a really attention-grabbing way.

Heart and Soul

The Mustang is powered by a Rich Groh Racing engine complete with forged rods and pistons, a billet lower crankshaft gear, and oil pump. The powerplant is complimented by a Vortech V-21 XB110 supercharger and cooler, which features an 8-rib pulley system and 2.75-inch blower pulley. JPC Racing custom fabricated a wastegate setup, as well as a custom cold air intake, and a triple-pump return-style fuel system. The Mustang operates on one of two custom tunes – one to be used with 93 octane pump gas, and the other for E85 fuel. The 5.0L has also been fitted with long-tube headers, paired to high-flow cats and an X-pipe from JPC. Exhaust escapes through Bassani mufflers, giving the Mustang an aggressive growl. Injector Dynamics ID1300 injectors were chosen to feed the hungry beast.

Over 1,000 horsepower of daily driven freedom is pumped out from Scott's California Special. No detail was left undone under the hood either. Carbon fiber inlay is seen throughout the engine compartment accented by more expressions of freedom and patriotism.

Framework for Performance

Ford Performance 3.73 gears reside in the rear, and a Ford 1-piece aluminum driveshaft couples the transmission to the rear differential. A Brembo high-performance brake system brings the staggered Nitto NT555 Z-Rated performance tires to a screeching halt. In the suspension department, the Mustang sports Ford Performance front and rear sway bars, along with an adjustable Panhard bar. Metco lower control arms are accompanied by Steeda upper control arms and sport springs. Tokico D-Spec adjustable struts and shocks were chosen to complete the suspension modification list.

Scott has traveled the country with his Freedom Stang supporting numerous veterans functions. Scott has brought home many awards and trophies but he does it all in thanks to our veterans. Like our veterans, Scott's Mustang can perform on any given occasion. The Lambo-style doors combined with the lowered suspension give this American flag wrapped pony an iconic look.

Interior Look

Inside, passengers are treated to a Kenwood in-dash DVD and navigation system, along with an Innovative Audio custom sub-woofer and amplifier enclosure, which hold Rockford Fosgate T1 12-inch sub-woofers, a Power Series T2500 sub-woofer amplifier and Power Series T4100 mid- and high-range amplifier. A custom carbon fiber sub-woofer box cover and amp enclosure cover were created specifically for Forrest’s Mustang. Mid- and high-range speakers reside in the front and rear of the Mustang, along with a 360.2 signal processor. Scott enlisted the help of Sherwood for a carbon fiber dash and trim kit, as well as a custom strut tower brace cover.

Attention to detail is something everyone that's ever served in the military has learned. Scott knows the importance of details and it's on display in this immaculate interior. Not only does the pony sound good through the pipes, its sound system is second to none.

All The Goodies

TruFiber carbon fiber parts are plentiful on this Mustang, and include a radiator cover, coil covers, and battery covers, an upper intake, master cylinder, and fuse box, rear decklid, door sills, arm rest covers, upper and lower grilles, front chin splitter, and rear spoiler and mirror covers. American Muscle supplied the tail light trim which has been hydro dipped, and the marker light has been blacked out.

American Muscle was also sourced for 18×9 and 18×10 wheels, which were hydro dipped as well. Broussard Wraps of Gonzales, Louisiana, hydro dipped several parts on the California Special, including the hood vents, front windshield trim, upper intake, speaker grilles, and more.

Continuing the customization, AutoBadges custom-airbrushed a running pony logo, as well as the faux gas cap, steering wheel center, door sill plates, engine and dash plaques, and 5.0 badges. Scott decided on a Cervini Stalker hood and Shelby front bumper cover to complete the look. To bring attention to the cause, Scott had his Mustang completely wrapped in an Exotic Vehicle Wraps custom patriotic livery.

Nearly every inch of the of this Mustang says "freedom." Scott tells us how thankful he is for the sacrifices our veterans make everyday defending our freedom!

A Heartfelt Thank You 

While Scott doesn’t choose to support a specific charity, he has a very special mission.“I simply try to participate in as many veteran related events as I can, in an effort to say ‘thank you’ to as many vets as I can,” Scott explains. We stand with Scott and his Freedom Stang, and are thankful for our veterans!

About the author

Eddie Maloney

A resident of Las Vegas, Eddie has been involved in drag racing most of his life. Currently an NHRA tech and photographer, he has served 17 years in the military.
Read My Articles

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