One of the reasons that Ford Performance Club Connect (https://www.fordperformanceclubconnect.com) has helped launch and promote the new Ford Special Vehicle Registry (https://specialvehicleregistry.com) is because we know each Ford Mustang ever built has its own unique legacy that interests all collectors, even if it’s passed on from owner to owner. That’s precisely what John Slomczenski discovered after purchasing a 1996 SVT Mustang Cobra through a series of acquaintances. Better still, John also came to know and understand the cornerstone of our Club Connect program – that Mustang ownership is best experienced and enhanced via membership in a Mustang club – as evidenced by his participation in the Mustang Owners Club of SouthEastern Michigan (MOCSEM). If you’ve ever doubted the impact of either of these Ford programs or the power of club membership, simply read John’s email to us below:

“Hi, Ford Performance. My name is John Slomczenski. My 1996 SVT Mustang Cobra was originally purchased by an acquaintance named Mel back in 1995 at the North Brothers Ford dealership in Garden City, Michigan. Mel had gone there with his wife, Linda, to “just look.” Mel was going thru chemo for his cancer and wanted to get his dream car to help him through his recovery.

“Mel stayed with us 10 years after that, and after his passing the car sat in Linda’s garage for two years before she decided that she would sell it to her sister-in-law Debbie, per Mel’s instructions. Unfortunately, Debbie got sick soon after and her husband, Tom, would not drive the car. Debbie wanted to sell it, but could not just get rid of the memory of Mel to just anyone.

“Fast-forward to Christmas 2014, when my brother-in-law, Rick, went over to (his sister) Debbie’s house for Christmas Eve. Rick was getting thirsty and went into the garage to get a beer, and there he saw the Cobra Mustang sitting there. Rick asked Debbie what the story was with the Mustang in her garage. Debbie had told him she wanted to sell it but could not get rid of it to just anybody because of the memories she had of Mel. It was then when Rick mentioned that his enthusiast brother-in-law, John (that’s me), might be interested in the SVT Cobra and that he’d let her know.

“Well, I loved Mustangs and could not wait to go see the SVT Cobra. When I arrived, I found a pristine 1996 SVT Mustang Cobra with less than 15,000 miles on it. How could I say no? Now I am the owner and I love this car as much as I believe Mel did when he bought it.

“The best thing I did after getting the car was joining my local club, the Mustang Owners Club of SouthEastern Michigan (MOCSEM). I have been blessed to go to some amazing club events and meet some of the best people around. For the 50th anniversary of the Mustang, Ford Motor Company put my car in its display at Mustang Alley for the Woodward Dream Cruise. After I sent pictures of it there to the previous owners, they called me to tell me that it was Mel’s dream to display that SVT Cobra at Mustang Alley.

“Being in MOCSEM has allowed me to meet so many amazing Mustang owners and Ford employees and do so many fun things with my Mustang that I feel I am lucky to belong to one of the best Mustang clubs in the world.”

Here’s How YOU Can Get In The Spotlight: For nearly 15 years now, one of the most popular features on FordPerformance.com and in our weekly 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 and its vehicles. 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 around 1 mb in size) with the owner’s full name and hometown, please. Just tell us about the vehicle(s) and why you think Ford Performance should feature it (them) in the "Ford Fan Spotlight" for an upcoming installment of Fast News as well as for posting on FordPerformance.com. Then email it to: ClubHub@Ford.com with your contact info. Should you wish to send a video, you simply need to post it on www.YouTube.com (preferably 1-2 minutes long) and send in the link, along with a brief description, to that same ClubHub@Ford.com email address. Your submission allows us the rights to use your words and images (along with any edits) for editorial purposes; we’ll choose one submission in random order each week to post online. We hope to see YOU and your Ford in our Spotlight soon!