Actually, it wasn't all that bad. Weather predictions of low 20s for Saturday and Sunday mornings during National Parts Depot's (NPD) 12th Annual Ford & Mustang Roundup prepared everyone for the frosty temperatures, which fortunately gave way to nearly 60 degrees on Saturday afternoon and downright balmy 70s during Sunday's awards presentation. Mike Eaton from Eaton Detroit Spring wasn't complaining about any of it: "It's a lot better than back home."
In just 12 years, NPD's Ford & Mustang Roundup at Ocala, Florida's Silver Springs theme park, home of the famous glass-bottom boats, has become one of the largest shows in the southeast. This year, with NPD offering its traditional free registration and two tickets to Silver Springs for the first 1,000 registrants, preregistration hit the 1,400-car mark. So perhaps the weather did have something to do with the 400 or so no-shows, which still resulted in a record 1,002 vehicles for the weekend. Mustangs made up the majority, of course, but there were plenty of other Fords, including a foursome of new Ford GTs featured on the mansion porch for anyone looking for diversity.
This year, NPD corralled its featured manufacturers into a special display area so attendees could easily check out the wares and talk with company representatives from Stainless Steel Brakes, Eaton Detroit Spring, RRS, Parish-Heacock Classic Car Insurance, and TMI Products.
Always held on the first weekend after New Year's, the NPD Ford & Mustang Roundup at Silver Springs is a great way to kick off a new show season, and if you live up north, it's also a great excuse to escape the winter cold. Maybe.
It was definitely cold on...
It was definitely cold on Saturday morning, but that didn't stop Steve Grey from bundling up to finish the detailing on his '66 Mustang.
In anticipation of all 1,400...
In anticipation of all 1,400 pre-registered cars showing up, Mustangs and Fords were packed into every nook and cranny at Silver Springs. However, only 1,002 showed up, which gave NPD's Rick Schmidt a break from his parking challenge. "If all the preregistered cars show up," Rick explained before the event, "we'll have to park a car every nine seconds."
Blue Moon Motorsports took...
Blue Moon Motorsports took advantage of the manufacturers' area to showcase their Control Freak IRS suspension packages for '05-'06 Mustangs.
You couldn't miss Mike Akins'...
You couldn't miss Mike Akins' '65 fastback, painted '94 Indy Pace Car red with a red Pony interior, which he drove down from Tennessee. Mike installed the Cobra engine from a '94 Indy Pace Car over nine years ago.
Seven Special Service Package...
Seven Special Service Package (SSP) Mustangs, mostly retired Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) cars, were on display at Silver Springs. The SSP gang included Bernie Berrios' '93 FHP car and Mike Riley's recently-acquired '83 FHP Mustang.
While Mom and Dad talked Mustangs,...
While Mom and Dad talked Mustangs, the kids were able to enjoy Silver Springs attractions like the carousel and petting zoo.
John Knighton is the original...
John Knighton is the original owner of this '96 Mustang SVO. Factory T-tops make it super-rare.
Displayed at Mustang Monthly's...
Displayed at Mustang Monthly's subscription tent were a pair of former cover cars, DVS Restorations' Mustang In Black project '68 fastback (Feb. '06) and Mark Houlahan's gold '66 hardtop (June '04).
In a Mustang world that's...
In a Mustang world that's saturated with styled-steel wheels and deluxe interiors, it's great to see a base Mustang hardtop like James Derose's Grabber Blue '72.
Mark III Customs, located...
Mark III Customs, located just down I-75 from NPD's Ocala headquarters, brought out a couple of its Mustangs for display. Mark III, which became well-known during the '70s for its van conversions, now offers conversions for Mustangs, both GT and V-6, and F150s.
Melissa Colby passed the time...
Melissa Colby passed the time by watching DVD movies from the trunk of her much-modified '91 GT.
For concours lovers, Jim Lane's...
For concours lovers, Jim Lane's '66 GT convertible was a knock-out. Recently restored by T.M. Classics in Orlando, the car was displayed with mirrors underneath to show-off the immaculately detailed undercarriage. When we asked Jim when the car was completed, he replied, "Last night."
Okay, we know it's not a Mustang,...
Okay, we know it's not a Mustang, but Dick Roberts' '73 Pinto station wagon was the talk of the show. You just don't see them anymore.
Because clubs and buddies...
Because clubs and buddies like to park together, we've got to hand it to NPD for working out a parking system to make it easier to keep groups together. This late-model Mustang club, StangsofOcala.com, took advantage of a sunny spot on the show field.
After displaying in-progress...
After displaying in-progress for the past two years at Silver Springs, Pat and Merv Rego from Classic Creations of Central Florida were happy to finally show off their completed Sedan Delivery project. It's powered by a stroked 460.
Thankfully, Luana Kirby's...
Thankfully, Luana Kirby's '65 K-code fastback escaped Hurricane Ivan, with salt water rising within an inch of the floorpans during the storm. Luana says the Torque Thrust wheels and tires were a Mother's Day present; the factory tires and hub caps are used only for MCA-judged shows.
Mustang Monthly's late-model...
Mustang Monthly's late-model award went to Robert Brooks' '03 Roush Boyd Coddington convertible, one of only two in yellow and black with the Roush supercharger.
The shopping district of Cedar...
The shopping district of Cedar Key, located right on the Gulf of Mexico, provided a photogenic backdrop for the Pony Trails Mustangs.
Happy Trails
Mustang Monthly's Pony Trails has become a tradition during the Ford & Mustang Roundup, with this year marking the ninth year for the cruise. Nearly 150 Mustangs and Fords jammed the parking lot at NPD's Ocala headquarters before heading on a leisurely trek west to Cedar Key, a scenic fishing village located on the Gulf of Mexico where Pony Trailers split up for shopping and lunch at the waterfront restaurants. Afterwards, many returned to NPD for a tour of the company's collection of vintage Fords and other special interest vehicles.
With the Ocala Police Department...
With the Ocala Police Department stopping traffic, Schmidt led the charge out of the NPD parking lot in his '68 Shelby GT500KR.
During the Pony Trails visit,...
During the Pony Trails visit, parking spaces all over Cedar Key were filled with Mustangs and Fords.
The shopping district of Cedar...
The shopping district of Cedar Key, located right on the Gulf of Mexico, provided a photogenic backdrop for the Pony Trails Mustangs.
NPD's Rick Schmidt served...
NPD's Rick Schmidt served as host by providing instructions and directions for the cruise to Cedar Key.
Mustang Monthly Awards
Best Vintage Mustang
Jim Lane
'66 Mustang GT convertible
Best Late-Model Mustang
Robert Brooks
'03 Roush/Boyd Coddington convertible
Young Owners Club
Joe Raimonda
'67 Mustang hardtop