thePULSEGetcha Motor Runnin’
The Mustang Car Club of N. E. Brings an American Icon to Town
By Kim Dunbar
The Ford Mustang is an inextricable part of American history ~ an American icon that turns heads and elicits instant reactions from passers-by. The Mustang is the most used car in films and commercials and for 40 years has remained a favorite in the hearts of the car lovers and drivers all over the world.
“No other car can say that,” said Jim Silverman, President of the Mustang Car Club of New England. “It has outlasted the Camaro and the Ferrari because it is affordable and has a backseat. There’s nothing like it.” Silverman added that when the new Mustangs ~ resembling the original 1965 model ~ came out last year, carmakers couldn’t produce them fast enough.
Perhaps no one loves Mustangs more than the proud and loyal members of the Mustang Car Club of New England. Formed in 1976, the Mustang Car Club has since been paying tribute to the legendary car. The club will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Alabama this Labor Day with Mustang races and a phenomenal car show. Not planning to be in the Alabama area in September? Don’t worry ~ The MCA National/New England Mustang Nationals/Mustang Car Club of New England is bringing just as fabulous a display of Mustang power and beauty to Central MA this summer!
Silverman and his wife Roberta, who lead the circuit of Mustang car shows all over the country, drive into the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge on July 14-16th. Silverman, who owns three Mustangs himself (a ’66 fastback, a ’68 convertible, and an ’88 GT), says the event is for diehard car enthusiasts and for anyone enamored of or intrigued by the Mustang (and trust me, that’s pretty much the entire US population over the age of 5!).
Silverman says the Mustang show draws a wide variety of cars from all over the country ~ from Kansas City to as far down as Florida. While the show is primarily filled with Mustangs, all Ford cars are invited to participate. If you drive or garage a classic or new Mustang or are in the midst of restoring one to its former glory, Silverman insists that this event is the perfect place to show it off.
The Show and Tell (and what Mustang owner doesn’t love to show…and tell!) is also a contest that awards trophies ~ and, naturally, bragging rights ~ to each of the winners in the three categories: Concourse, Modified, and Fun. The expert judges browse the cars and base their decisions on strict criteria. In the Concourse category, cars are judged on how accurately they’ve been restored to their original state ~ from the nuts and bolts of the car all the way to the writing on the side of the vehicle. In the Modified class, the cars are judged on their appearance and how well they are souped up (in a tasteful and classy manner, of course). And in the Fun class, the cars are critiqued for how well they’ve been cleaned and detailed.
The Mustang Car Show is free and open to the public, so come on down and take in the sights and sounds of 40 years of car excellence. Along with the elaborate display of Mustangs, there will also be vendors selling memorabilia and vehicle parts. If you want more information, or would like to display your Mustang at the show, visit mccne.com to pre-register your spot and read up on the sizzling summer fun that awaits you.
And don’t forget, the New England Summer Nationals (www.summernationals.com/) are right around the corner from June 29th to July 2nd at Green Hill Park. For burnouts, classic car displays and plenty of fun to go around, downtown Worcester is the place to be! Get your wheels in gear and cruise down to the center of town…or eat my dust!
If you just can’t get enough of gears, chrome, speed, and burning rubber, here are some more car and motorcycle events that will get your motor revving and your juices flowing!
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MOTOCROSS RACES, June 10-11, Southwick Motocross 338, Southwick Motocross, Southwick, 413-569-6801
2nd ANNUAL AMERICAN LEGION POST (MA 343) CAR SHOW, August 13, 198 Church Ave, Northbridge. Rain date is August 20th.
AUTOFEST 2006, June 11, MAYNARD ROD & GUN CLUB, off Waltham St., Maynard, 8am-1pm. Phone: 978 897-3445, Event Coordinator: Jack Malcolm, Event Homepage: clubs.hemmings.com/maynardaac
27th ANNUAL ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAR MEET, Sunday June 18, 9am to 2pm (Rain date June 25), Geo. R. Wallace Civic Center 1000 John Fitch Hwy Fitchburg, MA, www.midstateaac.org/fathersdayflyer.htm
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE DAY MOTORCYCLE RALLY, July 16, Indian Motorcycle Museum, Springfield, 413-737-2624
EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE AUCTION, August 19, Brimfield, Phone: 508-669-5222, Event Coordinator: Joe Rapoza, Event Homepage: www.ecimca.com
Keep checking www.cruisinnewengland.com/shows.php for updated information on new shows…
