DEARBORN, Mich. – We know it’s tough to find the time to keep track of everything that’s going on in the Ford enthusiast world. That’s exactly why so many Ford owners and fans visit FordPerformance.com each and every week for the latest perspective on all the special vehicles, people, shows and events that make up our Blue Oval car culture. From ownership experiences to motorsports and the legacy of iconic Ford vehicles, we connect with every aspect of the Ford enthusiast hobby all across the globe to uncover hundreds of unique stories and photos that we bring to you on FordPerformance.com throughout the year.
Because this is the time of year when we start filling out our website’s Editorial Calendar for 2025, we think this is the perfect time to look back over the past year and reveal what your clicks and feedback emails to ClubHub@Ford.com have shown us were the “Top 10” most significant Ford enthusiast stories that we’ve posted for you on FordPerformance.com during 2024. Because picking just 10 finalists for this list is a near-impossible task after posting so many exclusive stories over the past 12 months, we’ve also added an “Honorable Mention” as a way to keep us from second-guessing ourselves.
So check out our Top 10 list below, in countdown fashion, to see if some of your personal favorites from last year made the cut. Feel free to get online and use this list to scroll through the kinds of insider Ford content we offer that you simply can’t find anywhere else on the web. And while you’re there, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly Ford Performance Fast News email newsletter so that you can get first look and links to all the cool stuff we’ll uncover during 2025. So buckle up – here we go:
#10 – INTERCLASSICS/MECC MAASTRICHT/NETHERLAND
SHOW MARKS 120 YEARS OF FORD MOTORSPORT
FEB. 22, 2024 | BY WOLFGANG KOHRN / Ponysite.de
MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands – The 29th edition of the Interclassics/MECC automobile show in Maastricht, the Netherlands stood out for European Ford enthusiasts thanks to a special “show within a show” sponsored partially by Ford of Europe but with strong support by Dutch Ford Motorsport fans and those of neighboring countries. Among them was Hans Hugenholtz, a longtime Ford racer who is still actively racing at the most famous circuit racing tracks in Europe. His 1966 Shelby GT350 6S108 and 1965 GT40 maintained by Milestone Motorsport were on display along with 26 other Ford touring cars, Rallye cars and Formula cars.
At both ends of Ford’s 120-year racing spectrum was an 1896 Quadricycle Replica – built in Henry Ford style behind his house by an 18-year-old Dutch guy, and a 2021 Ford GT Liquid Carbon, which was #3 of just 30 made. The GT was on sale for 1.499.000 Euro from a German dealer (Esser). The Quadricycle (of course) was not for sale, but it would certainly fetch a high-level price, should the young man ever decide to let it go. No hope for that now, anyway.
Frans Lubin was present as well. Frans was the team manager of the very successful FRAMI Racing Team back then with Escorts, Mustangs and Lotus Cortinas, among others. Some of the cars such as the ex-Jochen Mass Capri, 1989 Sierra Cosworth and 1981 Zakspeed Capri Turbo were provided by the German Classic Cars collection based in the Ford Cologne factory. Ford Owners Motorsport Club representative Thilo Moerke was present as well to answer questions. He is still working at Ford Cologne and remains the main contact for all Ford classic car enthusiasts here.
To hear about all the notable cars and personalities in attendance at this massive show, you’ll just have to get online and get the whole story on FordPerformance.com.
#9 – mustangs, fords feel right at home during ‘Family
open house and tour’ at Flat Rock Assembly plant
SEP. 26, 2024 | By JOE DELADVITCH
FLAT ROCK, MI – If you’d ask any Mustang fan what’s the one place they’d most like to visit in the entire automotive world, the vast majority of them would say it’s Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant – the sole production home of the Mustang since 2005. Yes, thousands of people who visit Detroit each year have taken the Rouge Factory Tour to see new Ford F-150’s being built at the Dearborn Truck Plant. But there’s something totally different about the Mustang and Mustang owners, many of whom still ask if they can get into the factory on the day of assembly just to witness the birth of their new Mustang.
Unfortunately, unlike the Dearborn Truck Plant, the Flat Rock Assembly Plant (FRAP) does not have a tour program that is open to the public. That’s why when FRAP announced that it would be hosting a Mustang and Ford car show in early August during its “Family Open House and 2024 Tour” at the sprawling complex just off Interstate 75 in Flat Rock, Michigan, the response was overwhelming.
To say that Ford and Mustang owners and fans packed the house would be a huge understatement. Once local clubs and owners found out they could join the car show open house and tour initially organized for Ford and factory employees and their families, it was game on! The thought of bringing your Mustang back home to its birthplace to not only display it but to also go inside and see where it was created was a huge draw form many who attended.
Of course, there were tons of special attractions and cool cars at this event, so the rest of this report will be worth a look.
#8 – VICTORY 7 MUSTANG CLUB PAUSES CHARITY WORK
TO TAKE CENTER STAGE AT VIRGINIA AUTO SHOW
FEB. 29, 2024 | FORD PERFORMANCE STAFF REPORT
RICHMOND, Va. – Mustang and Ford clubs are well-known in the hobby for their charity work and generous support for so many great causes. One such group we’ve often highlighted on FordPerformance.com -- the Victory 7 Mustang Club based in Richmond, Virginia -- has won regular local recognition and even national awards for community service for years now. If there’s one thing certain about Thomas Victory, it’s that he’s been a tireless promoter for both his club and the Ford Mustang while serving his community at the same time.
The Victory 7 Mustang Club’s constant acts of kindness throughout the Richmond area have kept them in the spotlight of late – from supporting a local Health Foundation to deliver meals three days a week for the elderly and needy families in four surrounding counties, to organizing drive-by parades for young graduates plus donating model cars to kids at a local emergency shelter. Over the holidays, more than 500 Thanksgiving dinners were delivered to the underserved community in Richmond, and the club set up four Christmas parades for children in daycare and homeless centers and delivered more than 1,500 toys to needy kids.
Finding out what this club does at the Virginia International Auto Show each year and how they get so much media exposure will require reading the rest of this story.
#7 – MOCSEM PARTY DRAWS BIG NAMES, CROWD
FOR NATIONAL MUSTANG DAY IN DEARBORN
MAY 2, 2024 | BY PAUL KAMPE | @FORD
DEARBORN, Mich. – It’s not easy remembering the countless variations of the Ford Mustang that have been produced, but a large swath of them were represented recently at Gateway Classic Cars in Dearborn, where the Mustang Owners Club of Southeastern Michigan (MOCSEM) held a National Mustang Day celebration for Ford’s iconic pony car.
The club’s nearly 900 members count some 1,600 Mustangs – some of which were on display at the event – among their collective fleet. Nearly 400 Mustangs were shown throughout the afternoon – a club record for its National Mustang Day gathering. Several former Ford executives who were influential to the Mustang program during their careers, including “Mr. Mustang,” former Mustang chief program engineer Art Hyde, and former Ford chief designer Doug Gaffka, as well as former Flat Rock Assembly Plant Manager and later Ford Global Manufacturing Chief John Savona, were also in attendance. The event also included Buck Mook, designer of the second-generation 1974 Mustang II, Bud Magaldi, design chief for the fourth-generation 1994 Mustang, and Ford designer Bob Aikins, who penned the 1984 Mustang SVO.
Believe it or not, there were many other notables on hand for this celebration day, as well as more than a few surprises, so go give it a full read.
#6 – Uncovering An Untouched, 35,000-Mile 1965
Shelby Gt350 After Sitting Nearly 50 Years
OCT. 17, 2024 | BY JP EMERSON
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – It started with a phone call. The kind that, depending on which side of the conversation you were on, either gave you chills at the possibilities, or a nervous uneasiness from a long-held family secret you were about to share.
Fortunately for Vernon Estes, it was he who was on the receiving end of that call. Estes, a well-established and respected member of the Shelby community and owner of Vernon Estes Classics, understood that this call about a particular car was more than revealing a piece of automotive history. To the caller, it was a treasured piece of family history as well.
There is a saying about, "If it sounds too good to be true . . . " with which we are all familiar. Frankly, that saying is usually accurate as many "finds" in the collector car world do not live up to their initial billing.
However, every once in a long while they do, like discovering this previously unknown car, which turns out to be one of the most original, well-preserved 1965 GT350s in existence.
Not long after that call, Estes would stand before one of the most significant examples of American muscle and bring it into the light for the first time in nearly five decades.
Any Shelby fan would want to know the serial number of this GT350 and where’s it’s been hiding all these years. More accurately, every Mustang fan would want to know. You both know what you need to do.
#5 – CLUB CONNECT HELPS FORD HOST DEARBORN TOUR
FOR VISITING SAO PAULO MUSTANG CLUB OF BRAZIL
APR. 11, 2024 | BY JOHN M. CLOR
DEARBORN, Mich. – Whenever the Ford Mustang reaches a milestone birthday, clubs from all over the world always make plans to come to the United States and celebrate the pony car’s anniversary with the thousands of fans who participate in the hobby here in America. Mustang owner groups from France, Germany, Italy, Australia and even China – just to name a few – have made the pilgrimage from their own country to wherever the most notable Mustang anniversary event is being held in the USA. Some eleven make arrangements to visit Ford while they are here. And this year’s Mustang 60th Anniversary is no exception.
So when Anderson Chan of Ford Communications called on Ford Performance Club Connect to hp the company welcome the São Paulo Mustang Clube of Brazil during a two-day visit to Dearborn, we jumped at the chance to interact with our Brazilian Mustang friends. Of course, there was the requisite day spent at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation at Greenfield Village in Dearborn and the always fascinating Rouge Factory Tour to see new Ford F-150’s being built. But we also wanted them to experience our own Mustang passion firsthand, so later that afternoon we arranged a private tour of the Motorcity Mustangs collection of Ford retiree Mike Berardi.
When you read what other Ford-centric places this club got to visit while in Dearborn, you’ll be jealous. Look it up and be amazed.
#4 – We Help SN-95 Designer Emeline King Celebrate Winning
A Presidential Lifetime Achievement Gold Medal Award
NOV. 21, 2024 | BY JOHN M. CLOR
DETROIT, Mich. – Ever since Emeline King had published her inspirational memoir – “What Do You Mean A Black Girl Can’t Design Cars? Emeline King, She Did It!” – we’ve been following the impact that this automotive industry pioneer has been making on the Mustang and Ford hobby. From our launch coverage of her popular softcover (https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/quick-look/2021/12/meet-emeline-king.html) back in 2021 to her many Mustang club guest-speaking and book-signing appearances across the country as well as in her hometown of Detroit (Mustangs in Motown), Ms. King has won accolades and appreciation from a wide spectrum of supporters. As an exclamation point on her remarkable journey, this past summer Emeline became the recipient of a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Gold Medal Award, and Ford Performance was there to witness it.
By now, most of you should know about Emeline King, the First African American Female Transportation Designer in the history of Ford Motor Company, and the designer of the 1994 Ford Mustang Interior. But to understand why this event was so very special, you’ll have to read our entire on-the-scene insider’s report.
#3 – FRIENDS OF FORD GIVES ENTHUSIASTS AN INSIDE TRACK
TO WITNESS REOPENING OF MICHIGAN CENTRAL STATION
JUN. 13, 2024 | BY AUSTIN ATWOOD
DETROIT, Mich. - The historic Michigan Central Station, a long-abandoned landmark in the city of Detroit, has been restored, revitalized and reopened thanks to the visionary efforts of the Ford Motor Company to help create a home for a hub of mobility innovation for the future. As a lifelong Ford enthusiast, the chance to witness this grand reopening and participate in the associated festivities thanks to the :Friends of Ford” social media program was an unforgettable experience -- blending history, future-tech and community spirit.
Ford’s commitment to preserving Detroit's rich history while pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation is evident in its 6-year, $950-milion renovation of Michigan Central Station. This iconic 18-story structure was built in 1913 as the tallest railway station in the world, but after its closure in 1988 it sat vacant for decades. Its deterioration became a symbol of Detroit’s economic decline. But restored to its former glory, it now serves as a testament to the city's resilience and Ford's dedication to leading the way in automotive advancements.
Yes, this was quite the Dee-troit Party – and everybody from Ford execs to Motor City entertainment luminaries had time on-stage that night. But there was a whole day of Ford activity to mark this historic grand opening – and we had inside access to it all. Read it and celebrate along with us.
#2 – Fans Find Ford’s Full Pony Car Experience
Within ‘Mustang Unleashed’ On Woodward
SEP. 5, 2024 | BY JOE DELADVITCH
FERNDALE, MI – Most owners of modern performance-oriented Fords know that when you buy one of these special vehicles, you’re also buying a special experience that can open the door to an entire enthusiast lifestyle. That’s why Ford offers buyers of the Mustang Dark Horse or any of the new performance Broncos and/or Raptors a chance to attend a “Track Attack” driving school to learn how to best appreciate the capabilities of these vehicles. Whether it’s going to the Charlotte Motor Speedway or even one of the Bronco Off-Rodeos or Raptor Assault schools, new owners get up to a year to redeem a two-day track experience with Ford Performance Racing School instructors for the driving lessons of a lifetime. Ford has been providing programs like these since back in the SVT days, and had carried it over to the GT350, 350R and GT500 Shelby models and even the Mustang Mach 1 before now taking it to the next level.
With today’s Mustangs reaching historic performance heights, it only makes sense that fans and prospective owners should be able to get an up-close-and-personal experience with the 2024 model lineup and see how they live up to the brand’s storied legacy. So this year Ford decided to up the game for all fans of Ford’s famed pony car with its new “Mustang Unleashed Tour” which offers plenty of driving experiences, VIP owner events and perks to help immerse owners in Mustang’s ongoing appeal, heritage and community. During certain festivals and racing events nationwide, Mustang Unleashed is a mega mobile pop-up style event-within-an-event where all Mustang owners are welcome to hang out and have some fun. Some 12 different tour sites were planned for 2024, with hopefully more stops in future years to come.
Indeed, the Mustang Unleashed program is powering Ford’s marketing for the S650. Hear what makes this experience something you and your club need to know about for 2025. Our own influencers provide a first-hand report you need to read.
#1 – Move Over Mustang Sally -- Meet 'Mustang Sydney'
Sydney Lett: Iowa Born, Country Strong, Ford Tough
NOV. 7, 2024 | BY JP EMERSON / JPEMERSON.COM
MOUNT ULLA, NC – They say that hindsight is 20-20. Experience teaches us a bit later in life that, at least in our twenty-something years, it is at best; cloudy. For country music artist and true-blue Ford and Mustang fan Sydney Lett, her early days were clearly defined by two things. Ford and her passion for country music.
“Ford and music have been the one constant in my life throughout my childhood into my adult years,” says Lett. “I can relate every memory growing up to a vehicle with a Blue Oval. My family had a whole stable of Fords that I spent my childhood riding around in. My grandpa, rest his soul who we lost in 2022, was so serious about his love for Ford that he refused to let anyone park a Chevy in his driveway. Even if it was a rental!”
Get inspired by checking out our story on Sydney Lett, her country music career and “Audrey,” which is the name that Syd gave her C-code, 289-powered 1966 Mustang coupe. Then expect to see – and hear—more about her during the 2025 car show season. You heard it here first.
HONORABLE MENTION – Sea To Sea In A Model T –
Celebrating The 10-Millionth Ford 100 Years Later
JUL. 24, 2024 | By Robert Kennedy
LINCOLN, Neb. – Having incorporated the Ford Motor Company on June 16, 1903, company founder Henry Ford debuted his revolutionary Model T to the public on October 1, 1908. By December 1, 1913, Mr. Ford would revolutionize the auto industry for the second time as he incorporated a moving assembly line into the Model T’s Highland Park assembly plant. The result of this radical new approach to automobile manufacturing allowed Ford to reduce Model T assembly time from more than 12 hours per car to just one hour and 33 minutes. Only two years later, on December 10, 1915, the 1-millionth Ford (another Model T) would bow, followed by the 5-millionth on May 28, 1921. Six years later, on May 27, 1927, the 15-millionth would celebrate the end of Model T’s incredible production run. But it was nearly three years earlier, on June 4, 1924, that the subject of today’s Ford Performance feature story had already rolled off Highland Park’s assembly line.
This vehicle was, of course, the 10-millionth Ford – a Model T “Touring Car” with an MSRP of just $295. Recognizing the enormity of the accomplishment that 10 million units represented, Ford issued a press release that read (in part): “In celebration of having attained a 10,000,000-production record, the company announces that Ford car No. 10,000,000 will make a coast-to-coast trip as signifying the nationwide popularity of the Ford car and its appeal to every class of driver.”
So what did Ford do on the 100th anniversary of that historic coast-to-coast drive this past summer? They did it again in the same car, of course. Come along for the ride by reading about the journey here: (10-Millionth Model T Drive).
