2008 Silver Springs Ford & Mustang Roundup - Bound & Determined

As one of the first shows to hit the calendar each year, the Silver Springs Ford & Mustang Roundup in Silver Springs, Florida, is a popular launching point for newly finished car projects. Each year we see some of the finest classic Fords, well-cared-for drivers, and interesting trucks, street rods, and custom projects, and every one of the proud owners has a great story to tell about their build. One of the best things about the Silver Springs show is its laid-back approach, with no formal parking by year or class and no formal judging. Whether you're a spectator or participant, you'll always see something interesting and hear all sorts of great stories.

Sponsored by National Parts Depot, Mustang & Fords, and Mustang Monthly, the show encompasses a three-day weekend that includes a Pony Trails cruise, dyno pulls, and a tour of NPD's facility on Friday, with the main show inside the historic Silver Springs Adventure Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The Roundup is a huge draw every year because National Parts Depot (located just down the street from Silver Springs Adventure Park) pays for the first 1,000 cars to register for the show. Each year, registration fills up to that 1,000 mark earlier and earlier (cars after the 1,000 mark pay just $17 for the event, which is still a bargain).

It's great to have a show in January, with more than 1,000 Mustangs and Fords of all years, but that's the benefit of being in Florida. However, the Sunshine State doesn't always live up to its name. There has been some nice weather every other year or so, but usually the weekend can be a bit on the chilly side. For most people, that just means an extra jacket or maybe a hat. Unfortunately, there was some rain in the forecast this year, but that didn't stop the show from having a record-breaking car count of 1,103 cars on Saturday. Although the skies opened up late Saturday afternoon (hurting the returning car count on Sunday), it was still a great show.

We're always amazed during the awards ceremony when NPD's Rick Schmidt asks for the farthest distance traveled, and we hear people calling out "Nevada," "New Jersey," and even "Canada."

Mustang & Fords Editor's Choice
William Horrell, Effingham, SC
'64 Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe

We spotted William Horrell's Fairlane under some protective plastic during one of Saturday's rainstorms. After the skies dried, we watched as William peeled back the plastic, exposing the pristine flanks of the Fairlane, and we knew we had to take a closer look. The Fairlane was the proverbial little-old-lady's car with just 59,000 miles on the odometer when William purchased it in Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, with the idea of having it be a nice weekend cruiser. That meant no huge rubber out back or 12:1 big-block underhood.

William dropped in a mild 5.0 from a '94 Mustang GT with enough power to make the Fairlane move out with authority. Backing the 5.0 is an AOD four-speed overdrive automatic. The EFI system uses a Rock Valley stainless fuel tank with internal fuel pump. For suspension William chose a Rod & Custom Motorsports Mustang II setup in front, giving the car a 2-inch drop, disc brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering. Out back is a 3.50-geared 9-inch flanked with a set of leaf springs and gas shocks. There are also 11-inch discs at all four corners. Inside, the original buckets and console are complemented by a polished Flaming River aluminum column-shift tilt column. Vintage Air A/C cools the interior on hot Carolina days.

William performed all of the work himself except for the headliner and seat recovering, and the replating of several of the chrome appointments, which was handled by Advanced Plating in Nashville, Tennessee. The completed project is used for cruising, car shows, and just general driving enjoyment. The Porsche Guards Red PPG single-stage paint, topped with urethane clear, brings attention to William wherever he goes in his Fairlane, and that's just fine with him.