BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI – When the Ford enthusiast world learned of the passing of legendary Ford product planner Hal Sperlich early this year, the loss of the man known as the true father of the Ford Mustang rivaled that of the death of Lee Iacocca himself. Sperlich didn’t just help create a new Ford car called the Mustang – he helped create an entirely new market segment called the pony car. His place among the Mustang faithful is nothing short of iconic. That’s why when the Mustang Club of SouthEastern Michigan (MOCSEM) heard that the Sperlich family would be hosting a memorial service for Hal in suburban Detroit at the end of May, the club’s leadership knew that Mustangs just had to play some role in the event.
After Iacocca had passed back in 2019, the Mustang Club of America asked MOCSEM if it could have a Mustang or two deliver flowers to the Iacocca visitation service at a Detroit-area funeral home on behalf of Ford pony car fans across the globe, and MOCSEM president Mike Rey happily obliged. This time, Sperlich’s widow, D’Anne, had invited MOCSEM vice president John Clor to the service after noting Hal’s friendship with John over the years. Clor told her that not only would he be honored to be there, but that the event should include as many Mustangs that the event could handle as well, in honor of Hal’s contribution to what is likely the most recognized Ford in history. The idea was quickly green-lighted.
The Sperlich Memorial Service was to be held at the spectacular Kirk In The Hills Presbyterian Church in the northern Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills, and the church staff determined that it could accommodate a display of up to 35 Mustangs to park on the grass right in front of the church across from the main entrance doors. MOCSEM immediately put out the call to its members and those of other regional clubs, including the Mustang Club of Mid-Michigan, the West Michigan Mustang club and several others, to bring their cars to the church on that morning to help make a special Mustang statement there.
Not only did club members from across the state respond by completely filling the display area with Mustangs from every generation, but two original first-generation Mustangs were parked face-to-face up on the sidewalk entrance to the church to greet the Sperlich family and the automotive dignitaries who were arriving for the morning service. The family arranged for coffee & donuts to be available for the Mustang owners who mingled with attendees while the church’s Carillon Bells played before being seated inside. The service itself included remembrances from family members and industry colleagues, including a memorable eulogy delivered by former Ford VP and longtime friend of Hal’s, Ken Dabrowski. We spotted lots of Ford people, including retired Ford Design VP Jack Telnack, Mustang SN95 designer Bud Magaldi, Mustang SN95 program manager and SVT chief engineer John Coletti – and none other than Ford CEO Jim Farley as well!
Club members said they were honored to attend and have their Mustangs play a part in the memorial – because everyone knew it just wouldn’t be right if they weren’t there. The Sperlich family thanked the club members for bringing such a colorful display of Mustangs to the church, and D’Anne even stopped to pose for a photo with them out in front after the ceremony. We thought you would like to get an insider’s look at the Mustang display and club member gathering at the memorial service for the spiritual father of the Ford Mustang – Hal Sperlich. One look at the photos below should make it clear for any Ford fan: Not only were the Mustangs a fitting tribute, but Hal would have surely wanted it that way!
FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY JOHN CLOR & MARK DONNELL
