Those of us living in the Sunshine State get to enjoy our cars year-round. Unlike snowbound enthusiasts in Minnesota, Floridians never have to garage rides for the winter. Better yet, we usually have a choice of multiple car shows every weekend. One of the biggest and best of those choices is Florida's second largest show of the year, (following the legendary Turkey Run), the Daytona Spring event held every March. While it is not a Ford-specific event, there is always an amazing collection of Blue Oval favorites to enjoy. Mustangs typically dominate the choices with restored originals, restomods, Pro Streets, KR's and Shelby GT's on display in the infield. An equally large number were in the Car Corral, with many owners looking to trade.
The Sunshine State Cougar...
The Sunshine State Cougar Club brought out dozens of examples of their favorite ride with original and custom versions in the line up.
From Ormond Beach, Florida,...
From Ormond Beach, Florida, Bill Dean displayed his '69 Mach 1 with a long list of modifications, not the least of which was the 351 Windsor bored out to 408. The 17-inch Coy wheels do a great job of filling the wheel wells.
Lots of interesting cars were...
Lots of interesting cars were for sale in the Car Corral like this '65 K-Code with only 55,000 miles. The asking price was $27,900.
While Mustangs may be popular, the real key to this show is the variety. Ford pickup trucks ranged from rat rods to land speed record holders with everything in between. From F-100s to Rancheros, every color and style of Ford utility vehicles was on display. There was an equally fascinating gathering of camouflaged Fords ranging from '86 Thunderbirds masquerading as 1950 Ford Shoe boxes to a '65 Mustang convertible using late-model Miata underpinnings. An old favorite, there was a sizable number of kit Cobras were on hand as well. If you're into exotics, you could even see pristine examples of DeTomaso Mangustas and Panteras in the infield. However, if something from the Fifties was more to your liking, radical Mercury lead sleds and conservatively customized early Fords brought back memories for those of us drawing on Social Security.
Featured at the Vicari Motorsports...
Featured at the Vicari Motorsports Auction, this '70 Mustang Mach 1 restomod was equipped with a 351 a Windsor and five-speed transmission. It was loaded with options and rolled on 17" & 18" Cobra wheels.
Pristine examples of performance...
Pristine examples of performance cars from the sixties were on hand, like this Shelby GT 350.
We couldn't find the owner...
We couldn't find the owner but based on the roll cage inside and the rear tires with separate ZIP codes, this Pro Street Mustang must really move.
In addition to the thousand vehicles on display in show field, the almost nine hundred vehicles in the Car Corral, and the vehicles in the Vicari Motorsports Auction, the Daytona Spring show is also famous for its huge collection of vendors-this year more than eight hundred-selling thousands of new and used parts needed for that restoration project back home. Once you found what you needed, parts-hauling golf carts made it easy to transport your treasures to the parking lot. Many of the vendors and manufacturers at the event used Mustangs to showcase their products, recognizing the popularity of the cars. The final good-time essential for spectators was the endless variety of food available, ensuring your tank never ran on empty.
If a full weekend of enjoying a beautiful collection of Ford vehicles is your goal, put both Daytona events on your calendar now. For more information, check out the web site www.daytonabeachcarshows.com.
Blue and white fastback. No...
Blue and white fastback. No data.
Mike Liddell displayed his...
Mike Liddell displayed his clean '72 Mustang equipped with a 302 and automatic. The low mileage car was priced at $11,500.
This clean '73 Mustang Mach...
This clean '73 Mustang Mach 1 was equipped with a 351 Cleveland and automatic, selling for $15,900.
Bargains were available like...
Bargains were available like this Oxford White '90 Mustang LX convertible, equipped with a 5.0 V-8, five-speed transmission, and air-conditioning, all for $6,800.
Shelby GT 500 KR. No data...
Shelby GT 500 KR. No data.
Throwing a little nostalgia...
Throwing a little nostalgia into the mix, how about this restomod '32 Ford convertible for a modern approach to vintage transportation?
John Maffucci owns the World's...
John Maffucci owns the World's Fastest F-100. His Mustang-powered '55 pickup used a 4.6L Cammer motor and a Cobra Eaton supercharger to achieve 144 miles an hour at the Maxton Mile. The independent rear suspension makes it an autocross winner as well.
Black and blue F-100. No ...
Black and blue F-100. No data.
Rat rods hugging the asphalt...
Rat rods hugging the asphalt show a whole different approach to customizing. This pair attracted quite a bit of attention throughout the weekend.
Ranchero. No data.
With its front end on the...
With its front end on the ground, this vintage Ford has that sought after California rake. We just hope there are airbags installed in case he encounters a speed bump on the way home!
Lots of beautiful examples...
Lots of beautiful examples of early Ford pickups were on display.
Loaded with all the typical...
Loaded with all the typical fifties accessories like Briz ribbed bumpers, Appleton spotlights, Lakes pipes, and more, this Ford Shoebox is actually an Eighties model T-Bird in disguise. Check www.easyrods.com for details.
Another clever impostor is...
Another clever impostor is this Mustang convertible replica that uses authentic Mustang sheet metal, trimmed to fit a Miata chassis. The two-seater looks vintage but drives modern. See www.m1stangsmc.com for more info.
This '65 427 Cobra replica...
This '65 427 Cobra replica was built by Unique Motors in Gadsden, Alabama. It runs a 427 big block, turning 12.31 and a quarter-mile, with the owner stating that he started in second gear because there wasn't enough traction in first! $32,500 took it home.
A genuine rarity, this '00...
A genuine rarity, this '00 Qvale Mangusta is a coupe, a Targa, and convertible, all in one. Remove the center portion of the top and the 'Rototop' rear window folds down into the trunk. With the 281 CID V-8 and 5-speed propelling the car to sixty in 5.5 seconds, the Mangusta (Mongoose) was designed to be a Cobra killer.
This beautiful red and black...
This beautiful red and black Pantera is an example of Italian styling blended with a big American V-8. When driving a Pantera, nothing sounds sweeter than the mid-engine, 351 Cleveland, rumbling just behind your head.
Whether it's traditional flames...
Whether it's traditional flames or a mail-slot windshields, the Mercury lead sleds were iconic cars of their day and many of the best were on display at the show.
Sporting Ford's first overhead...
Sporting Ford's first overhead valve V-8, the 1954 was quick and the clean lines of the two-door hardtop still look good today. Add a Continental kit, Olds taillights, and twin pipes and you have a vintage custom that's hard to beat.
Many manufacturers, like Mr....
Many manufacturers, like Mr. Gasket, recognize the popularity of Mustangs to showcase their products.
Hundreds of vendors had thousands...
Hundreds of vendors had thousands of parts for sale, guaranteed to expedite the rebuild of that project vehicle back in the garage.