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The 2009 Daytona Turkey Rod RunA Thanksgiving Tradition That's Hard to Beat! From the January, 2010 issue of Modified Mustangs & Fords By Joe Greeves Photography by Joe Greeves
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Everyone gathers Friday and... Everyone gathers Friday and Saturday afternoon, hoping to hear their number called for the door prize giveaways. The Turkey Run has been attracting automotive fans from around the country and around the world for the last thirty-six years. Starting out as a small gathering of the Daytona Beach Street Rods in the early Seventies, the event has outgrown a half-dozen venues and now regularly fills the infield of the Daytona International Speedway over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend. Although we've always enjoyed the event, we don't want to mislead you. This show is certainly not limited to vehicles of the Blue Oval persuasion. With 4,810 vehicles on display however, you will often see a bigger variety of Fords at the Turkey Run then you will at many Ford-only shows. Everything from modern Cobras to vintage Deuce Coupes were on display, with restored originals, pro streets, one-of-a-kind customs, Ford-based kit cars, and more adding to the fun. Wear comfortable shoes if you want to see them all. But that's only one third of this event's attraction. This year, some of the world's... This year, some of the world's most recognizable Super Heroes gathered together to assist the Marine Corps and its Toys for Tots campaign. The amazing collection of vehicles is joined by an equally amazing collection of vendors selling virtually everything automotive. All three thousand vendor spaces were filled meaning you could find almost every type of new and used performance and custom accessory, as well. From owner's manuals for your Edsel to new fiberglass fenders for your F-100, your purchases were only limited by your stamina. Should you locate that perfect set of 20" wide Mickey Thompson tires for your T-Bucket back in the garage--and your wife didn't share your unbridled enthusiasm for the find--there were golf cart transporters that could haul your treasures to the parking lot. Besides the sprawling collection of cars and vendors, the third attraction of this event is the Turkey Run Car Corral that always offers a huge selection of cool customs for sale. The fifteen hundred vehicles at this year's show made it one of the largest classic car lots anywhere. With all the external charm... With all the external charm of a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, this fiberglass replica was equipped with new millennium technology under the skin. The V-8 crate motor under the hood assured it could handle modern traffic while the leather seats and complex sound system pampered its occupants. But we've saved the best for last. In addition to the customs on display, Vendor's Row, and Car Corral, the laid back format of this event is what makes it truly unique. There are no trophies or judges and it's not about winning anything. The "Run" is synonymous with fun. Pull in, park, give your car a quick wipe, and then head off to enjoy the show. The family reunion atmosphere, where friends come to meet friends, keeps this show growing year after year. If you're interested in attending this legendary event, the Thanksgiving weekend dates are Nov. 25-28, 2010. For comprehensive information that includes directions, entry blanks, admission cost, lodging, event schedules, and more, access their web site at www.turkeyrun.com.  Every inch of this 1957 Ford...  Every inch of this 1957 Ford has been meticulously restored, then outfitted with a 427 Genesis Side Oiler, 4-speed Top Loader...  ...air ride suspension, four-wheel...  ...air ride suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, full stereo, and custom paint. The asking price was $75,000.  We were never able to get...  We were never able to get the full performance details on Ricky Radney's Mustang Pro Street but it's safe to assume it's running lots faster now than it did when it rolled off the assembly line in 1973.  It doesn't take much to make...  It doesn't take much to make these older Ford convertibles into show winners. A little dechroming, custom paint and big wheels on this '62 are all it takes to capture a trophy for your mantel piece.  It's hard to beat the lines...  It's hard to beat the lines of the early Mercury Comets. The '65 two-door hardtops are special favorites and the bright orange paint attracts spectators like a magnet.  This owner was selling his...  This owner was selling his authentic, 1967 Shelby GT 500 KR convertible, equipped with factory 4-speed and air conditioning. The price tag? $150,000.  A nice Silver blue 351 Ram...  A nice Silver blue 351 Ram Air Mach 1 Mustang.  The clean lines of this '51...  The clean lines of this '51 Ford "Shoebox" are emphasized, thanks to the single grille bar, nosed hood, and shaved door handles. The Appleton spotlights and Oldsmobile wheel covers are the perfect period accents.  If you were searching for...  If you were searching for a clean, '66 Fastback equipped with air-conditioning, Rally Pac, and Styled Steel wheels with Red Line tires, this one could have been yours for $29,000.  Lots of upgrades occurred...  Lots of upgrades occurred to this '54 Ford, beginning with the 460 V-8, C6 transmission, and 9-inch Ford rear. The tilt front end allows spectators to admire the new power plant.  A perfect tanning machine...  A perfect tanning machine for Florida's sunny weather, this black and yellow Cougar Eliminator was popular enough so that the owner had to add "Not For Sale" to the windshield.  "Fun Ride" was the description...  "Fun Ride" was the description on the windshield of this '52 Ford show car. Sporting a custom chopped top, Cadillac tail lenses, bubble skirts, mural, and multiple exhaust outlets, this vintage Ford had an asking price of $26,500.  Red and Ruth Raleigh from...  Red and Ruth Raleigh from Cape Coral, Florida displayed their rare and beautifully restored '54 Ford Crestline Skyliner.  Lots of innovative customs...  Lots of innovative customs were on display at the Turkey Run like this unique '58 Ford station wagon, complete with orange paint and custom graphics, multiple body modifications, and deeply tinted windows for privacy.  Ford customizers in the Fifties...  Ford customizers in the Fifties had lots of favorite tricks like the '54 Pontiac grille bar, Briz bumpers, bubble skirts, and Lakes pipes shown on this chopped '50 2-door.  The name on the side is "La...  The name on the side is "La Creme De Menthe" and the license plate says "SICK 51", both good descriptions of this radically customized '51 Mercury.  Albert and Judy Gordy, from...  Albert and Judy Gordy, from Callahan, Florida added some tasteful flames, a big motor, and fat rear tires to their '64 1/2 Mustang, making it the perfect weekend cruiser.  The Mustang GT500 looked good...  The Mustang GT500 looked good back in 1967 and its timeless good looks are still eye-catching today.  This Ford Torino convertible...  This Ford Torino convertible was the official pace car for the 52nd running of the Indianapolis 500, back in May of 1960.  Everyone seems to have a warm...  Everyone seems to have a warm spot for the early Ford 2-doors. This custom '51 is owned by Jim and Brenda Preston from Englewood, Florida.  This cream-colored '65 Mustang...  This cream-colored '65 Mustang fastback is owned by Greg Toth, from Coral Springs, Florida.  Bill Hinkle's '65 Mustang...  Bill Hinkle's '65 Mustang runs a 289 V-8, 4-speed transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, and 9 inch rear. 65.  The raised hood on this '65...  The raised hood on this '65 Mustang indicates there's some additional work done to the 289 V-8. It features a five-speed transmission and 9 inch rear. The price? $18,500 or best offer.  If you had your heart set...  If you had your heart set on a vintage Ford but gave up on finding real steel, several replica manufacturers were on hand with fiberglass versions of your favorite Blue Oval. This '36 Ford Roadster roller from Davikki went for $13,400.  The '34 Ford 5-Window coupe...  The '34 Ford 5-Window coupe was also a fiberglass replica, selling for $12,995.  Rolling in, all the way from...  Rolling in, all the way from Cadmus, MI, Chuck and Ella Kuney put their Cobra replica on display.  Loaded with all the period...  Loaded with all the period customizing tricks common in the fifties, this custom painted, chopped Mercury convertible sports a smoothed hood with rounded corners, frenched headlights, floating grille, and '55 Pontiac side trim.  Norman Brown from Islamorada,...  Norman Brown from Islamorada, Florida displayed his elegant '37 Ford, complete with modern power train and subtle two-tone paint job.  There were several versions...  There were several versions of the Easy Rods "Shoebox" conversion giving your late-model Thunderbird the look of a vintage Ford. "Blue Angel" is owned by Rich and Maggie Taintor and is fitted with a Corvette grille, dummy spotlights, custom wheels, and Nassau Blue paint job.  "Black Oval" is the giveaway...  "Black Oval" is the giveaway truck to be awarded to some lucky attendee at the F-100 Super Nationals in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, May 2010.  For more than two decades,...  For more than two decades, Phil & Nancy Elder have treated their '70 Competition Yellow Cougar like a member of the family. The rejuvenated 351 Cleveland under the hood keeps them traveling in style.
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