2011 Silver Springs Mustang & Ford Roundup - Hope Springs Eternal

Editor Baur thought enough of Guy Willis' '68 Mustang coupe that he bestowed his Editor's Choice award to Guy's efforts. The '68 features a Dart-block-based 351 Windsor stroked to 427 ci, and backed by a built C4. The 9-inch out back runs 4.11 gears, and along with the long-tube headers and 3-inch exhaust, you know this car was built for the track. Guy had it dyno tuned and it made 632 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, which is ably handled by the Mickey Thompson ET Streets out back.

Speaking of trucks, you'll find something to like in the truck section, we guarantee it! For us, it just happened to be Bill Erskine's '55 F-100 this year. The black-over-silver scheme is a classic in our books, and the dual-quad equipped FE under the hood means this truck can move too!

A show is a great place to get build ideas, see paint colors/paint schemes, wheels, and more on finished cars. Then you take them back and apply them to your work in progress (we know, we've done it!). Always wondered what it would look like to have your Le Mans style stripes in the engine compartment to match? Well, if you were at Silver Springs this year, you could have seen them on this '65 Mustang convertible of Boyce and Yvonne Sharon. Of course, it helps that they own their own body shop in Plaquemine, Louisiana.

One look at Brian Cole's '65 fastback and you know restomod is alive and well.

The fastback features classic touches like a Shelby front valance and hood up front, and Shelby taillights out back, but they are mixed with some updated rolling stock and a detailed, chrome-laden small-block wearing Edelbrock induction.

If you're a history buff, especially motorsports history, you'll certainly find something of interest at Silver Springs, too. Each year, we spot a historical race car and enjoy talking to the owner to learn more. From early NASCAR to the Total Performance and Ford Drag Team era, there are always historical vehicles with knowledgeable owners willing to share their car's history.

We brought out our Generation Gap project for everyone to see the latest work. While we didn't make our deadline for color, as it sits here, the fastback was in DP-50 epoxy primer with all bodywork completed and the car blocked and just about ready for paint. At next year's show, we not only plan to have the car completed, but drive it to the show!

As in years past, NPD invited some of its key product suppliers to the event, including TMI Products, Classic Auto Air, Classic Instruments, Stainless Steel Brakes, and Eaton Detroit Spring, to display their latest products, hand out promotional materials, and answer tech questions. We took this photo before the show opened, which was about the only break these guys got all weekend.

Each year, NPD celebrates a special model or a model's anniversary on the main concert stage of the show grounds. Oftentimes, a request will go out for specific cars (in the past there have been Saleens, Ford GTs, and more on display). This year, NPD didn't have to go any further than its own collection for the grouping of '56 Lincoln Mark IIs, arguably one of the most expensive cars on the road at the time (Ford lost money on each one sold). They are truly a classic.

Where else but Silver Springs Ford & Mustang Roundup would you see a Pro-Street-style Mustang fastback parked right next to a concours quality Baby Bird? We thought so! You've got to come check out this show, as you never know what's going to show up.

How's this for an interesting find? A real Hertz Shelby GT350, originally an automatic, it's been converted to a four-speed. It's being displayed by Classic Creations of Central Florida (www.classiccreationsfl.com) for a customer's estate, and it's for sale! Come on Florida Lottery!

While we unfortunately didn't get the owner's info, this had to be one of the cleanest engine bays of the whole show. The small-block in this Mustang is finely detailed, all of the wiring is hidden, and you could eat off of the thing. Love it or hate it (we love it!), the body color engine bay definitely makes an engine stand out in a classic Mustang.