It’s a pretty good bet that when we hear of a couple who helped mark their 50^th wedding anniversary by attending a Ford Performance Racing School driving event, they’d be good candidates to appear in our Ford Fan Spotlight. And if you’d add in the fact that they’d first met because of their love for Fords and today own a Ford Edge ST, then their story would be even more compelling. But what if you then found out that they and their children have owned dozens and dozens of all sorts of Fords over the years as well? Well, then you’d understand why we’re putting David and Gwen Howard in our Fan Spotlight – and wishing them a happy 50^th at the same time. Check out David’s note to us below and smile along with us:

“Hello Ford Performance. I’m David Howard from Lees Summit, Missouri. My wife Gwendolyn and I celebrated our 50^th wedding anniversary in June. A Ford vehicle was very instrumental in the start of our 50 years together.

“Ford has always been an important part of my life. My father retired from Ford Motor Company, Tractor Division, as an area sales manager. I learned to drive In our 1949 Ford F-1 pickup that my older brother had painted (with a brush) Ford Tractor Blue. My parents allowed me to drive this truck at a young age in our pasture fields if I would pick up rocks. In 1970, after graduating high school, I bought a new 1970 Torino GT.

“In 1972, my college roommate said he would like to introduce me to two young women at his church in Springfield, Missouri. I asked him to describe the two, and he said the main difference was that the one named Gwen had a new 1972 Mustang Mach I. I told him she’s the one I want to meet. Gwen and I started dating, and were married in June of 1974, after I graduated from college. We had many things in common back then, including that our vehicles both had 351 cubic-inch V8 engines.

“Gwen and I now have 50 years together. We have two sons and five grandchildren. During the past 50 years, we and our sons have owned a variety of Ford vehicles: F-100 pickups; Escort; Mustangs; LTD Crown Victoria; F-150 pickups; Thunderbird; Tauruses; Explorers; Mercury Sable; Ranger; Escape; Fusion; Focus, Focus ST; and Edges.

“Gwen and I are very thankful for our years and memories together.  We are also grateful for the Ford vehicles we have owned.  I do wish sometimes that we had kept the Mach I, the Torino GT -- and yes, the blue 1949 F-1. 

“In May of this year, we drove our 2024 Edge ST to Ashville, NC, for the ST SUV Experience with the Ford Performance Racing School. We celebrated our 50^th anniversary with other trips and events, but it seemed fitting to recognize that our 50 years together started with a Ford vehicle. Thank you, Ford!”

Here’s How YOU Can Get In The Spotlight: For some 20 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. 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 to post online. We hope to see YOU and your Ford in our Spotlight soon!