This past Sunday evening, Ford made headlines by putting the very first 2024 Mustang Dark Horse up for auction at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. This particular car, which bears the coveted VIN 001, fetched an impressive winning bid of $350,000. The proceeds from this auction will be channeled to JDRF to support vital type 1 diabetes research efforts.
While the Mustang Dark Horse is already known for its higher retail price compared to other more common trims of the Mustang, the premium for the first example is even more remarkable. To illustrate, last year, the inaugural model of this same Mustang generation was sold for an astonishing $565,000 during the same charitable event. Evidently, collectors place immense value on owning the very first model of an entire line, rather than just the first of a special edition model. It’s worth noting that the base price for a standard Dark Horse stands at a little over $61,000, making the $350,000 winning bid an extraordinary figure.
What sets this inaugural Dark Horse apart is its host of premium features, all carefully selected by Ford. This includes a manual transmission (in lieu of the optional 10-speed automatic), custom painted stripes, Recaro seats, and the highly-regarded Handling Package. These choices reflect Ford’s intention to tailor the first of its sports model to sportiest specifications that it offers.
From our professional perspective, the Dark Horse truly stands out as the ultimate performer in the Mustang lineup. Moreover, we wholeheartedly support Ford’s decision to include the manual transmission, Recaro seats, and Handling Package on this exclusive example. While it may not represent as radical a departure from the standard model as the GT350 and GT500 do, it is still an outstanding machine in its own right.
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