MELBOURNE, Fla. - The 60th anniversary of the Ford Mustang kicked off in a big way this past week with a Mustang show and special Ford Performance presentation at the American Muscle Car Museum (AMCM) in Melbourne, Florida, on January 24 before the Rolex 24 at Daytona IMSA race.

Some 100 Mustang owners displayed their cars in front of AMCM where they were treated to a first-hand look at both the Ford Mustang GT3 global race car that was about to debut at the Rolex 24, as well as an up-close look at the new Mustang GTD production car that was making its first Florida appearance. Mustang clubs from the area that are registered with FordPerformanceClubConnect.com, as well as owners whose Mustangs are registered on Ford’s SpecialVehicleRegistry.com had received exclusive invites to attend this very special event.

Mustang owners and club members were then invited to come inside the museum for a special presentation by Edsel B. Ford II, who presented the Spirit of Ford Award to Alan Mann Racing, represented by Tom and Henry Mann. The Spirit of Ford Award is the highest honor Ford's racing program gives out for lifetime excellence on or off the racetrack. Alan Mann Racing is the just the 28th winner of the award, and it was to honor the team being the first race program to win with Ford Mustang -- the 1964 Tour de France Automobile -- in September of 1964. AMR joins legendary names such as Dan Gurney, Carroll Shelby, Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, the France Family and Wood Brothers Racing as honorees.

Guests also had a chance to hear about the new Mustang GT3 race program from Ford Mustang factory drivers Joey Hand and Dirk Muller, who stayed after the award ceremony and signed autographs.

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY WES DUENKEL