SANTA MONICA, CA. -- Ford attracted over 1000 Mustang enthusiasts to an invitation only chance to be the first on their block to see the new Mustang for 2010 at its unveiling in the Barker Hanger at Santa Monica airport.
They joined racing legends like Carroll Shelby, Jack Roush, Susan St. James, John and Ashley and Ford executives Mark Fields, Executive Vice President, and President of the Americas, as well as current racers, including World Champion Ford Racing Mustang Drift Car driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. to revel in all things Mustang on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show.
To make sure all Mustang fans got to join in even if they couldn’t make it to Santa Monica, Ford arranged a tape-delayed national broadcast on the SPEED network and a simultaneous link with Mustang Club of America hosted events at nine regional movie theaters, where Mustang enthusiasts got to see a special live feed prior to the broadcast.
"This is the day true Mustang fans have been waiting for," said Paul Randle, chief engineer for the 2010 Mustang. "Our loyal Mustang customers have been counting down the days until we unveil the new generation of this iconic American muscle car, and now it's our turn to surprise and delight."
"This is a great opportunity to partner with Ford and offer SPEED viewers a cool and unique first look at the latest offering from a truly iconic American brand," said SPEED President Hunter Nickell, whose daily driver is a 2006 Mustang GT. "We're going to have a lot of fun with this event."
Mustang Club of America groups across the country - including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Tulsa, Detroit, Phoenix, Denver, Columbus, Ohio, and Tampa - held reveal events in local movie theaters. Guests at the event in Santa Monica at in the movie theaters received a limited-edition 1:18th scale die-cast 2010 Mustang as well as other prizes. Many locations organized Mustang car shows before the reveal broadcast.
"Mustang is more than just a car: It's an icon," said Fritz Wilkie, brand manager for Mustang. "Mustang Nation is a culture built on the stories and passion of more than 9 million Mustang owners. It seemed only fitting to share this exciting moment with the people who made Mustang what it is today."
To keep enthusiasts in the loop, Ford has set up an online space where they can see more images of their favorite car and find out more information about features and news. Or if you missed the reveal, it’s on the webiste.
Go to: www.the2010mustang.com.
Now, the car. At first glance the 2010 Mustang doesn’t look radically different than the current version but it sports subtly crisper lines that enhance its already bold stance and bearing.
The car's 45-year heritage was clearly in the mind of the designers who didn’t want the car to stray too far from its stable mates. While it is clearly looking more aggressive, it’s still refined. The Mustang isn’t a brute but it is masculine and buff. The stylists took a turn on the interior and as they did with the exterior design they achieved an understated, purposeful look that is both pleasing and functional. The new Mustang isn’t a bare bones horse, it receives the latest in technology including available SYNC, voice-activated navigation and a rearview camera system.
Chassis and powertrain improvements pioneered on Ford's extensive racing and special programs have been rolled into the 2010 Mustang as well. The new pony car promises to deliver more power and better handling, thanks to the development work on the 2008-2009 Mustang Bullitt and lessons learned through the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge series.
But back to the party.
The Mustang reveal at Barker Hangar began with a Mustang Club of America car show highlighting the 45 years of Mustang. Owners from each year Mustangs have been built are slated for display. It was hard to leave the line up of lovingly restored cars to go inside for the show. The Mustang Club members did a great job in choosing the cars.
"We're thrilled to be a part of this celebration. The Mustang is legendary and we're all excited to see what's next," said Mustang Club of America president Bill Johnson. "This will be a unique display as well because we have many Mustangs featuring all different years, models, customization, colors and pedigree - a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Once inside the crowd was treated to some of the human legends that made Ford Racing a formidable competitor. Some of the legends who lined up for the crowd:
* Carroll Shelby, world-renowned automotive designer, constructor and driver famous for his Shelby Cobra and high-performance Mustangs
* Jack Roush, the founder of Roush Racing, dominated Trans-Am and IMSA road racing in Mustangs during the 1980-90s, including seven class wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona
* John Force, winner of 14 NHRA Funny Car championships, eight of which have come behind the wheel of a Mustang
* Ashley Force, daughter of John Force, is the 2007 NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year and the first woman to win a professional Funny Car drag racing event
* Dorsey Schroeder, a perennial road racing contender in the 1980s and 90s, he won the 1989 SCCA Trans Am championship and 1992 24 Hours of Daytona in a Mustang
* Parnelli Jones, a versatile driver who won races in several different types of cars, including the 1963 Indianapolis 500, he dominated the 1970 SCCA Trans-Am season with five race victories en route to the series championship driving a Mustang
* Scott Pruett, has won races and championships in various forms of racing, including the both the 1986 IMSA GTO and 1987 Trans-Am championship behind the wheel of a Mustang
* Lyn St. James, a two-time winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona and just one of five women who have successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, she also won multiple IMSA GTO races in a Mustang
They were joined onstage by some of the great Mustang racing cars that roared across the tracks of America.
* 1967 SCCA Trans-Am Terlingua Mustang (series champion)
* 1969 Super Boss - the fastest street-legal Mustang of its time; basis of the "Beat the Boss" program enacted by Bob Tasca Sr., which was designed to improve Ford's performance image
* 1969 Bonneville Mustang Mach 1 - driven by Mickey Thompson and Danny Ongais to 295 United States Auto Club land speed endurance records at the Bonneville Salt Flats
* 1970 SCCA Trans-Am Boss 302 - driven by Parnelli Jones to five race victories and the 1970 SCCA Trans Am championship
* 1986 IMSA GTO Mustang - driven by Scott Pruett to four race victories and the 1986 IMSA GTO championship
* Outlaw Super Street Mustang GT - driven by Bill Glidden, son of Ford drag racing legend Bob Glidden, to nine national championships and more than 300 event victories
* 1992 IMSA GTS Mustang - claimed back-to-back class wins in the 1991 and 1992 24 Hours of Daytona
* 1997 All-Sport SCCA Trans-Am Mustang - won 11 of the 12 races in 1997 in the hands of Tommy Kendall to capture its third consecutive series championship
* 1997 NHRA Castrol GTX Mustang Funny Car - driven by legendary drag racer John Force to the first of eight series championships he's won in a Mustang
* NMRA Pro 5.0 Mustang - the world's first small-block Mustang to break the 7.5-second and 190 mph barriers
* 2008 Mustang Challenge FR500S - driven by Andrew Caddell to the inaugural Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup championship
It was a moving event for everyone who attended and an interesting contrast to the pummeling the chief executives of the auto companies were receiving in Washington, DC that week. If there’s any doubt that people care about whether the Detroit 3 survive then Ford should send every member of Congress a tape of the SPEED broadcast. Or better yet, how about a drive in a new Mustang with Drift Car driver Vaughn Gittin Jr? That should get their motors running.
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