WHAT’S HAPPENING – Ford fans well-know that April 17th is known as “National Mustang Day” and is celebrated all over the world each spring. But did you know that T-Birds have their own special day too? Ford Thunderbird owners know that their cars are “Unique In All the World!” as the classic Ford catchphrase proudly points out. That’s why each May, the three major Thunderbird enthusiast clubs promote a global “Thunderbird Appreciation Day” – which this year falls on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Thunderbird Appreciation Day is especially significant this year as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic Thunderbird. It’s the perfect opportunity to honor seven decades of timeless design, innovation and automotive passion. We ask all owners to take your classic Thunderbird out for a spin on the 18th and let its beauty and legacy shine.
Polish the chrome, buff the paint to perfection, and show it off as you cruise through town, take it on a picnic in a park, or join with other Thunderbirders at a local diner. Let the world see why the Ford Thunderbird has remained a symbol of style and excellence for generations. Engage with people who stop and admirer your Thunderbird, share your car’s unique story, and maybe even let admirers sit in the car and look under the hood to give them a glimpse of what it is like to drive an automotive icon. This milestone year is about fostering appreciation, connecting with fellow enthusiasts, and inspiring the next wave of Thunderbird fans. Crank those engines, and let’s make this 70th anniversary a celebration to remember! Ford produced more than 4 million Thunderbirds over the years but these cars are still a fairly rare sight to see on the road. So now’s the time for you to join other Thunderbird owners around the world as well as members of the Classic Thunderbird Club International, Vintage Thunderbird Club International, and the International Thunderbird Club as mark car’s 70th birthday. Thunderbird Appreciation Day is also the perfect time to become part of the Thunderbird family by joining a T-Bird or Ford club, if you haven’t already. Simply visit www.FordPerformanceClubConnect.com to find a club near you. And don’t forget to share some photos of what you did on Thunderbird Appreciation Day 2025 on the various club websites and social media group pages – or send your activity info and pics to Ford Performance at ClubHub@Ford.com so that we can celebrate with you!
Looking for an East Coast Bronco Experience? ‘May It Forward’ with Bronco Owners North East States May 16-17 in Gardner, MA
Make no BONES about it – as in Bronco Owners North East States – but it’s time for you and your Bronco to attend the group’s 11th annual “May It Forward” event on May 16-17 in central Massachusetts. Starting out at the PACC social club in Gardner, MA, May It Forward is now an extended weekend event with a Friday afternoon scenic cruise on May 16th with the main event being held on Saturday, May 17th. The Friday cruise is just a leisurely ride through North central Massachusetts with a photo stop mixed in and a chance to meet with other Bronco fanatics, while Saturday is a donation-only event with a day full of fun, food, Fords and friends – along with a giant prize-filled raffle.
Broncos of every year, size and shape will be there, with 108 trucks from 14 different states and more than 300 participants attending last year. Better still, the BONES event last May raised over $30,000 for veterans via a donation to the Travis Mills Foundation (www.travismills.org). This organization has a retreat in Rome, Maine, that hosts post 9-11 veterans who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our nation, at no cost, helping with various issues, adaptive family and outdoor activities as well as bonding with fellow veterans and their families. Over the past decade, BONES has raised over $100,000 for veterans! You can find event details HERE: https://bronco6g.com/forum/threads/11th-annual-may-it-forward.106892/
Bronco Off-Road Adventures Return for 2025 with First Overland Event Set for Aug. 28-30 in Georgetown, California
Love to explore the wilderness in your Ford Bronco? Then you need to know that Bronco Off-Road Adventures is back for 2025 with exclusive trails, expert guides and epic adventures during six unique and extraordinary trips from which to choose this year. In each adventure you will bring your Bronco to exclusive locations with other Bronco owners and Ford’s expert overlanding guides. They’ll show you those once-in-a-lifetime spots to make memories and practice overlanding skills like off-road navigation, wilderness self-reliance and environmental stewardship.
It all begins with the Rubicon Trail Adventure for Bronco Raptors only from August 28-30, 2025. Exclusively for owners of Bronco Raptors, you can experience the thrill of tackling one of the most iconic and challenging off-road trails in the world. You’ll explore the Rubicon Trail deep into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and encounter dramatic rocky landscapes, pristine mountain lakes, incredible wildlife, and more. You'll camp on private land, including an exclusive overnight stay at Rubicon Springs.
You can see the itinerary and learn more about the Rubicon Trail adventures HERE: https://overlandadventures.ford.com/experience/15a5e183-6922-4b93-99aa-61f578740ca0?utm_source=ford_performance&utm_medium=events_page&utm_campaign=BORA_2025 You can also check out the other five 2025 events for other Broncos by visiting Ford’s Overland Adventures site HERE: https://overlandadventures.ford.com/
Save the Date for October 24-25 and Join the Fun During Raptor Rally 2.0 at Lake Havasu, Arizona
Mark your calendars and save the date for the second-annual Raptor Rally, a must-attend event exclusively for F-150 Raptor, Bronco Raptor, and Ranger Raptor owners on Friday, October 24 through Saturday, October 25 at Lake Havasu, Arizona. Whether you’re a seasoned off-road pro or just starting your adventure, we hope to see you at Raptor Rally 2.0. Sign-up to receive special updates HERE: raptorrallyrsvp.splashthat.com/fastnews Registration opens in May at FordRaptorRally.com.
Want Be Noticed on Ford Performance.com? Get You and Your Car(s) in Our ‘Ford Fan Spotlight’
For more than a decade now, one of the most popular features on FordPerformance.com and in our Fast News e-newsletter continues to be "Ford Fan Spotlight," where readers can send in their own reasons why they're fans of Ford Motor Company. You know who they are: Ford "superfans;" grassroots Ford racers; unique Ford vehicle owners; loyal Ford enthusiasts; notable Ford club people; special Ford families; and/or any avid supporter of Ford, Ford vehicles, Ford motorsports or Ford Performance who deserves a little bit of special recognition.
All you need to do to get you, your car or candidate considered is to send in a brief description (200-500 words or less) and a few photos (in .jpeg format, preferably 1 mb) of a person (full name and hometown, please) and vehicle that you think Ford Performance should feature (and why) in the "Ford Fan Spotlight" for an upcoming installment of Fast News and posting on FordPerformance.com. Then email it to: ClubHub@Ford.com. (Your submission grants us your permission for us to use your copy and photos on our website and other Ford media outlets, edited as necessary.) We'll choose one submission to be featured online every three weeks. We hope to see YOU and your collectible Ford in our Fan Spotlight soon!
