Like I said, there's usually...
Like I said, there's usually plenty of classic Ford iron in the bracket classes and you'll see plenty of great Ford muscle at the NMRA Ford Expo. When was the last time you saw a '69 Boss 429 in drag trim chop down the Christmas tree?
As one of the longest running all-Ford events, the annual Ford Expo only got better when it was combined with the NMRA series in 2005. Since then, the event has become one of the broadest-reaching events in the NMRA series, offering up mini-meets and reunions each year for various Ford nameplates, plus a ginormous all-Ford show, the original Ford Expo nostalgia racing, and now the awesome heads-up racing of the NMRA. Put it all together and you have an event weekend that any Ford fan could find something to drool over.
While we see many classic...
While we see many classic Fords in such classes as Open Comp and the ET bracket ranks, it's truly nice to see a classic Ford do well in the heads-up classes as well. An occasional Mustang fastback or SportsRoof will run in Pro or Outlaw, but this year we've seen consistent butt whooping from Don Bowles in NMRA Hot Street with his Maverick. Running a 400ci Dart mill with plenty of help from the Roush guys, Don consistently puts the yellow Mav into the mid-8-second zone at more than 150 mph, which was good enough for him to go all the way to the winner's circle in Ohio, putting Ben Mens and his late-model Mustang in the runner-up slot.
This year marks the 31st annual event, now called the Exedy Racing Clutch NMRA Ford Expo, held at National Trails Raceway this past September, and was certainly no different. From the great Y-blocks, FEs, and more of the classic race cars to the turbo'd high-tech NMRA racers, the track was action-packed all weekend. Mini meets for Y-block owners, Capri, and T-birds also marked the display field along with hundreds of cars in the NMRA All-Ford Auto Show & Shine. As usual, the vendor midway was full of manufacturers and dealers with parts galore. From classic Mustang door panels to nitrous bottle refills and everything in between, you could find it on the midway. Throw in the famous Embry Riddle 300mph jet dragster attempting to break the Ohio land speed record and you have a perfect Ford family weekend. Be sure to keep Labor Day weekend 2010 wide open so you can attend the 32nd annual event and see the action first-hand. Don't miss it!
The annual Y-block shootout...
The annual Y-block shootout is not to be missed for die-hard Ford enthusiasts. Every year Y-block fanatics come from far and wide to run their beautiful classic Ford rides down the 1,320 for the title of Y-Block Shootout Champion. To read more about the Y-Block Shootout and to see some great photos of these classics be sure to check out the website at www.y-blocksforever.com.
While we certainly love our...
While we certainly love our Mustangs around here, we also have a hankerin' for a garage full of Ford's best and one of those would certainly be a Torino. In particular, an early GT would be tops on our list and Bob Exline's '70 GT is a perfect example. Bob did the paint and engine work in his own home shop, spraying an exquisite shade called Wild Strawberry Metallic Pearl, and built a mean 351 Cleveland with CHI aluminum heads, an Edelbrock Air Gap intake, and a Demon 650 to feed it. A Tremec five-speed swap helps the 3.70-geared 9-inch keep the revs down when Bob is cruising the Torino. Bob's Torino took home a Top 20 Ford award for his efforts.
If Ron Schoch's stunning '65...
If Ron Schoch's stunning '65 fastback looks familiar, then you might have been at the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas. We were there and we can tell you we were drawn to it like a fly to stink. Ron's Mustang was a SEMA project car and has some topnotch modifications, including the glass, door handles, and other tidbits from an '05 Mustang (his car is where we got the idea to use the same door handles on our '68 Mustang project). Underhood is a Kuntz 347 stroker backed by a Tremec T5 and the car sits on a Rod & Custom Mustang II frontend kit and Control Freak Suspension's IRS system out back. Paint is DuPont Hot Hues Bombay Blue. Ron's '65 took home a Top 20 Ford and 1st Place Best Engine awards.
The Excedy Racing Clutch NMRA...
The Excedy Racing Clutch NMRA Ford Expo
Speaking of Torinos, when was the last time you saw a Torino wagon, complete with woodgrain panels, sporting a 428 Cobra Jet Shaker setup? We can only imagine the original owner sulking into the dealer to purchase the family truckster and then slip in the 428 and four-speed at the last minute, unbeknownst to the Mrs. What? You wouldn't do that too?
Early Fairlanes were where...
Early Fairlanes were where the famous Ford small-block got its start, even being called the "Fairlane V-8" in its adolescence. First coming to market as a 221ci engine, then bumped up to the 260ci, which was also the first V-8 in the Falcon and Mustang, and eventually maturing into the 289 and 302 small-block that Ford used right up until the early 2000s in the Explorer. Shannon Davis' '63 Fairlane is powered by one of these venerable engines, a '64 289 with '63 Hi-Po heads, a rare Edelbrock X-F8 cross ram intake and two Holley 550cfm four-barrel carbs. Keeping the classic vibe flowing to the rear, Shannon rows a Top Loader four-speed and there's a 4.57-geared 9-inch out back twisting the Pro Trac P275/60R15s. Shannon's ride took a Best Ford Muscle Classic award.
Modified Mustangs & Fords Editor's Choice
Doug Ford's '68 Mustang Fastback
Now with a last name like Ford you'd expect Doug Ford of Nelsonville, Ohio, to be a Ford guy right? Well, after talking with him for the better part of a half hour we can honestly say that's an understatement. His first car was a '68 Mustang Sprint coupe and he's one of a few people (myself included) who can say they've always owned a Mustang (or two). From those early beginnings, Doug's love of Fords grew. As he and his wallet matured, he was able to enjoy many Mustangs, including much sought-after R-codes and Shelby models, but as one would come in, another would leave, never really having a "collection" if you will. One of his prized rides was an ERA Cobra replica with a 427 Tunnel Port for motivation. At the same time a '67 G.T. 350 was keeping it company in the Ford garage. Doug had dreams of dropping the Tunnel Port monster into the Shelby, but couldn't bring himself to modify it.
One day trouble on the horizon for ERA, in the name of a dropped valve, meant a rebuild of the 427 FE. It was already a Dove block and heads, but with the damage done, a 428CJ crank and rods found their new home inside the Dove casting along with new 0.030-inch overbore pistons, bringing the all-aluminum mill to 460ci. It was a screamer in the lightweight replica for sure. Not long after, problems rose anew when Doug saw smoke pouring from one of the Cobra's side pipes. The sweet smell of coolant meant one thing-head gaskets. Doug was also experiencing problems on the home front and with a divorce looming decided to put the wounded engine aside on a stand in the garage.
Once things settled down at home, Doug started thinking about his FE again. With the ERA long gone he once again had visions of a Tunnel Port-powered Mustang, a tribute if you will to the Shelby Super Snake Mustang. This time he took the engine to Legends in Athens, Ohio, where Randy Haning got the FE monster back on track a second time. Meanwhile Doug's hunt for a Mustang netted him a '68 fastback rolling shell locally. His good friend, Chuck Shields, of Chuck's Body Shop in The Plains, Ohio, took care of the poor bodywork from the previous owner, making the fastback slick and straight. The 6-year restoration of the fastback was just finished this past year and Doug has been enjoying the fruits of his labor since. But remember what we said about Doug being a Ford guy? Well he truly does have a nice collection going now with an '07 G.T. 500, a '77 Cobra II drag car, a '68 coupe (similar to his first car), and a '95 SVT Cobra Mustang, plus his F-series daily driver too. Besides bestowing our Editor's Choice award upon his sweet '68 fastback Doug also took home a Top 20 Ford, and a 2nd Place Best Engine award.