DEARBORN, Mich. – In celebration of the Ford Mustang that was first introduced to the world on April 17, 1964, Mustang owners all across the country have set aside April 17 each year as “National Mustang Day.” It’s a day for owners and fans to gather in celebration, or drive somewhere together, in recognition of this iconic American automobile.

The National Mustang Day movement began in 2016 as a way to continue the excitement over the Mustang’s 50^th Anniversary and each year it has continued to grow, reaching more and more Mustang owners, clubs and enthusiasts and gaining more attention by the media. With the current generation Mustang now being sold globally, National Mustang Day is even being celebrated by enthusiasts from all over the world, including in Africa, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

Of course, there could hardly be a better place to celebrate Ford’s iconic pony car than at the car’s birthplace in Dearborn, Michigan, in front of Ford World Headquarters. Here, like at National Mustang Day gatherings in many other parts of the country on April 17, 2018, Mustang owners didn’t let some inclement weather stop them from taking their cars out to commemorate the Mustang brand. Ford sponsored an employee Cars & Coffee gathering on that day, where other local Mustang owners joined in to show off their rides. We sent our Ford Performance photographer, Isaac Ireland, to Ford’s WHQ parking lot to tour the celebration and take some photos for you to enjoy here. Also be sure to check out the inspiring Mustang video that Ford had released to honor this special day.

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY ISAAC IRELAND