ALBANY, Ind. – While there are several must-see events for fans of Ford Performance heritage, one of our favorites has to be the annual FE Race & Reunion, where owners of classic Fords powered by the “FE” family of engines join with historic race cars from the era for a nostalgic weekend of showing, racing and remembering powerful performance Fords of the past. Lucky for us, our own FordPerformance.com photojournalist correspondent, Ford retiree Bill Cook, was there for the 2025 gathering at Muncie Dragway on April 25-26 to take some amazing photos and file this report:
“I was on the road at 5 a.m. on a chilly Friday morning to get from metro Detroit to Indiana for the two-day FE Race and Reunion at Muncie Dragway. I arrived at the track in Albany, Indiana, just after the gates opened at 9. I had been looking forward to this event since it was announced. Not just because it is so filled with so many superb cars and people, but because great friends Kathy Martin Harrison and Mark Harrison would be there displaying their stunning, fully restored 1964 Ed Martin 427 Thunderbolt for the first time since acquiring it. It was the third one built of 100 cars. I assisted by introducing them to the restorer from North Carolina. I was lucky to be around this Thunderbolt at their Ford dealership in Indianapolis when I was 12-13 years old. Our families have been friends since 1960 when my dad appointed Ed as a Ford dealer.
“So, what’s the big deal with FE engines? They were produced by Ford from 1958 to 1976 in 332 (5.4L), 352 (5.8L), 360 (5.9L), 361 (5.9L), 390 (6.4L), 406 (6.7L), 410 (6.7L), 427 (7.0L) and 428 (7.0L) configurations. They are highly regarded for their power and motorsport heritage. The 427 and 428, in particular, are legendary. There were 12 427 SOHC powered cars there!
“That Friday it was cold and windy, followed by rain in the afternoon. Saturday was also cold but things improved by midday with occasional sun. It was great for the car show and racing. I headed home at 4 p.m. As you can imagine, it was a fun event, with lots of smiles, cool cars and friendly people. I took pictures for two days. Check out the pics in my galley below of some of these amazing FE-powered Ford rides!”
FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY BILL COOK
