Kansas City, Missouri is smack dab in the middle of the Great Plains, an area frequently referred to as “Tornado Alley” for the regular occurrence of destructive twisters. While these destructive forces are often deadly, there is still something awe-inspiring about the power contained in a single cyclone.

Perhaps that was what inspired Ford to sell a limited edition of the 1970 Mustang Mach 1 known as the “Twister Special”. Two of these rare classic Mustangs will be up for grabs at Mecum’s Kansas City Auction, as well a 2008 tribute model.

Don’t feel bad if you never heard of the Twister Special Mustangs. Ford had a habit of selling area-specific Mustangs including the California Special and the High Country Mustang for Colorado. The Twister Special was only sold in the Kansas City area, and was only available on the Mach 1 package. Just 96 examples were sold, making them rare and rather remarkable.

All Twister Special Mustangs came in Grabber Orange, and while Ford intended for all of them to have the 428 SCJ V8 and Drag Pak, just 48 cars came equipped as such. The rest made due with a 351C engine. With just 96 ever produced, seeing two at a single auction (one a 428, the other a 351) is a rare sight indeed. Add to that a 2008 Twister Tribute Mustang, and you’ve got one auction that is sure to blow you away.

Ya, we went there.