Modified Mustangs & Fords Editor's Choice
Scott Jewett's
'70 Cougar Eliminator
As we have in years past, Modified Mustangs & Fords had the honor of picking an editor's choice vehicle from the display field. This year we bestowed our award to Scott Jewett's stunning '70 Cougar Eliminator. Everyone knows about the Shelby GT350H from the Hertz "Rent-a-Racer" program, but did you know that Hertz had other cars in that specialty program? Scott's Eliminator was one of only 100 specially equipped (note the automatic and sunroof options) Cougars sold to Hertz for the program. Besides our editor's choice award Scott's Eliminator earned him the Best Cougar award as well.
National Parts Depot's Lee Iacocca Award
On the Web:
www.silversprings.com
www.npdlink.com
www.iacoccafoundation.org
For the third year in a row National Parts Depot has bestowed the Lee Iacocca Award for Dedication and Preservation of an American Automotive Tradition upon some very deserving people-people who tirelessly spend their personal time promoting and growing our hobby. This year the award was presented to a close personal friend of ours, Patricia Rego. Pat and her husband Merv actually saw their first Mustang at the New York World's Fair when the car was introduced to the world in 1964 and have been involved ever since. From restoring Mustangs for their daughters to drive, to opening their own restoration and parts business and starting their own Mustang club in New Jersey, Pat has been a part of it all.
Since relocating to Florida she has been on the Mustang Club of America board of directors and has been the show chairperson running (almost single-handedly) the annual Mustangs & Mustangs car and airplane show (the second largest Mustang show behind Silver Springs) at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida, for more years than we can remember. While currently driving a '90 "7-Up" Mustang convertible, she has a big-block '67 Mustang convertible waiting in the wings for her next restoration project.
Falcons, Comets, Mavericks,...
Falcons, Comets, Mavericks, Thunderbirds, Cougars, Cobras, Shelbys, and other specialty marques traditionally have had their own specific parking locations at the show every year. From the "Tiger Den" for the Sunbeam Tiger owners to the "Thunderbird Nest," well, you get the picture....
....It's a great way for regional...
....It's a great way for regional groups to meet up and have mini-meets, conduct club business, or even just have a chance to park like vehicles together and put on a great display for those that may not know much about these interesting and desirable cars.
You just never know what you're...
You just never know what you're going to see from year to year at any show, which is why we cringe when people tell us they're going to skip a year of going to Silver Springs, Carlisle All-Ford, and so on. For example, not only is a '64 Comet Cyclone a relatively rare piece of iron, but when was the last time you saw one on display next to a '63 Galaxie lightweight? Our thanks to Gerald Cook, owner of the Comet, and Bill Dismuke, owner of the Galaxie lightweight, for bringing these rare beauties out for us Ford fanatics to see in person.
Bill Ziel's '66 Mustang convertible...
Bill Ziel's '66 Mustang convertible might look stock on the outside, save for the Torque Thrust wheel upgrade, but one peek under the hood at the aluminum-headed small-block and you'll realize Bill's drop top is packing a little more grin inducing punch when the right foot goes to the floor.
Here's more rare iron that...
Here's more rare iron that made us glad we braved the cold. Keith and Sue Dodson's '70 Torino Cobra 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air car was a sight to behold. The Shaker-equipped Cobra Jet mandated a lot of special equipment like the Competition Suspension, Hurst shifted Top Loader four-speed, and more.
Another group of Fords that...
Another group of Fords that usually have a great showing of support is the truck owners. From modern Harley and Lightning trucks to classic Broncos, Rancheros, and F-series, the "truck row" usually has some serious eye candy to look over. We really dug this '56 F-100 of Auggie Whelan, which was powered by a 390 FE big-block.
It's always encouraging to...
It's always encouraging to see people bring in-progress projects. We wish all shows had classes for them. It's great to see a classic Ford or Mustang being revived, such as Eric Avant's '69 Mach 1. This is also why we brought our Generation Gap '68 fastback to display this year, complete with gray primer and unfinished bodywork for all to see.
Probably the talk of the show,...
Probably the talk of the show, at least from the Mustang point of view, had to be this slick black big-block four-speed fastback. The '67, owned by Dr. David Shuck, is similar to what he owned in high school. The good doctor put the restoration efforts in the hand of his nephew Andrew Huffaker, who performed the work back in Texas (David lives in Florida). The finished car was shipped out just a few weeks prior and Andrew came to Florida for the Silver Springs show too. Even though the car is complete now, if you want some interesting reading check out Andrew's build blog at http://1967mustangfastbackgt.blogspot.com.
Some of National Parts Depot's...
Some of National Parts Depot's key product suppliers come down every year to do tech seminars, offer show specials, and display their latest products. Regulars include Stainless Steel Brakes, TMI Upholstery, Eaton Detroit Springs, and Heacock Classic Insurance. This year NPD welcomed Classic Instruments to the show as a first-time exhibitor and award presenter. Their gauge kits currently fit '67-'68 Mustangs, but in our chat with company president John McLeod we found out a '65-'66 gauge panel is in the works. We'll certainly let you know when that's available.