The Silver Springs Mustang and Ford show seems to grow every year. Last year we had 900 cars on the field and an astounding 110 Mustangs on the Pony Trail. Although this isn't our highest-grossing trail, it's the oldest, and it holds a special place in our hearts. Six years ago we started it all right here with a trail leading up to the show; 12 cars attended and we were happy to have that many. With the numbers we have begun to draw, we're doing something right.
The 2003 show and trail begins our 25th year as the oldest monthly all-Mustang magazine. So we're planning some special things. We'll hand out Editor's Choice awards at five shows. Although we've done this before, this time we're expanding the awards and adding a twist: These cars will be featured in Mustang Monthly within the year. We'll pick four cars per show to photograph and to win an award. The picks will be as follows: Best Vintage Mustang; Best Late-Model Mustang; Best Young Owner (be sure to display your YO! badge); and for the first time, Best Modified Mustang. At the end of the year we'll pick the Editor's Choice for best Vintage, Late-Model, and Modified. So be sure to attend the inaugural event at Silver Springs in January.
The Trail
Silver Springs Mustang and Ford Show
Ocala, Florida
Pony Trails: January 10, 2003
Cost: Free. You buy lunch!
Registration Cost: None!
Departure time: 9:00 a.m.; Drivers' meeting 8:30 a.m.
Start/End Location: National Parts Depot, 900 SW 38th Ave., Ocala, FL 34473; (352) 861-8700.
Trail Boss: Jeff Ford
Ocala, Florida
National Parts Depot
Directions to the start location: Take Interstate 75 to exit 352 (old exit 69). Coming from the north, turn right; from the south, turn left and go under the free-way. At 38th Avenue turn left (between Glenn Miller Realty and the hotel). Follow 38th Avenue around to NPD. It will be on the left.
Route:
We'll depart from National Parts Depot, jump onto Interstate 75, and head north-northwest to old exit 71 and State Road 326. Turn right onto 326 and proceed east to Highway 301. At 301, turn right and blaze south for a little less than half a mile to the continuation of 326 (it's also labeled NW 70th Street). Follow this until it dead-ends into State Road 40. At State Road 40, turn left, and follow it to Interstate 95, then head south to exit 87. At exit 87, turn right onto Highway 92 and then left into Klassix Automotive attraction (2909 W. Inter-national Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32124; local phone: 386/252-3800). We'll be at the attraction for two hours, giving us time for lunch and a tour of the facility. Tell them you're with the Pony Trail and they'll give you the discounted rate of $6.50 for admission (normally it would be $8.50). After the attraction, we'll retrace our steps to NPD.