After last year's Boss Nationals extravaganza, it would have been tough for Carlisle to pull off another show-stopping Mustang showcase. So they didn't try. Instead, this year's All-Ford Nationals, held June 1-4 at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in central Pennsylvania, highlighted the 40th anniversary of the Bronco and included a 427 Fairlane/Comet Reunion. Regardless, the lure of Carlisle, with its huge swap meet and "Fun Field" show classes, attracted the usual monster gathering of Mustang and Ford faithful. Even the wet weekend-weather forecast couldn't keep them away, although it was obvious by the large patches of green in the Fun Field that many left their cars at home.
We can't say that Mustangs were totally ignored. Perhaps the event's best attraction was the reunion between Chief Mustang Engineer Hau Thai-Tang and The Lawman Boss 429 drag car, originally built by Al Eckstrand for military tours in the early '70s and now owned by former professional wrestler Bill Goldberg.
As a 5-year-old in Vietnam, Thai-Tang was mesmerized by the sight of the Grabber Blue and blown Boss 429 when it visited his hometown.To him, it represented everything American, and even as a child in Vietnam, he vowed to someday become involved with Mustangs. Later, during the fall of Saigon, Thai-Tang's family emigrated to the U.S., where Hau earned a degree in mechanical engineering and landed the job at Ford that eventually led him to the Mustang Chief Engineer position. During the All-Ford Nationals, Thai-Tang was reunited with The Lawman for the first time since spotting it in Vietnam those many years ago.
From here, we'll let the pictures tell the story and inform you that next year's All-Ford Nationals is already scheduled for June 1-3, 2007. Let's see, a 40th anniversary celebration for the Cobra Jet would seem appropriate
Carlisle's T-Building was...
Carlisle's T-Building was mostly filled with 427 Fairlanes and Comets, but we did spot Monty Seawright's immaculately restored '70 Boss 429 as a comparative display to The Lawman drag car, also Grabber Blue.
While the pretty cars in the...
While the pretty cars in the show field are always fun to see, it's the stuff you can buy that pulls in people at Carlisle. Mike's Mustang Shop brought a trailer-load of used parts and a trio of Mustangs to sell.
Rain? What rain? Although...
Rain? What rain? Although the forecast and somewhat drizzly conditions convinced many to leave their show cars at home, the faithful still made the trek to Carlisle for the All-Ford Nationals.
Pennsylvania Pony Trails
Thanks to Mother Nature for holding off the rain until after our Pony Trails cruise on the Friday during the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals. The threatening skies actually prevented temperatures from soaring to the usual blazing June levels. Heck, this Florida boy almost got the chills while riding in the back seat of Jeff Bliemeister's '84 5.0 convertible.
Thanks also go to Bliemeister and Jim Krupa who together planned out the route for our 8th annual Pony Trails at CJ Pony Parts. The Trails took us from the CJ Pony Parts facility near Harrisburg through some gorgeous Pennsylvania scenery and small towns, and finally to Hershey and the Antique Automobile Club of America's (AACA) Museum, where Bliemeister serves as the museum curator.
Over 70 Mustangs and a handful of other Fords gathered at CJ Pony Parts on Friday morning for coffee, donuts, and a facility tour before heading out on the two-hour cruise, staying together for most of the drive thanks to the lack of traffic and stoplights. At the AACA Museum, Pony Trail participants were greeted at the front door by Joe Spinelli's red '69 Boss 429 as it spun on a turntable as part of the museum's "American Muscle" featured exhibition. The main display featured an impressive collection of American muscle, from a '64 GTO to a Hemi 'Cuda, along with Tom and Joyce McElroy's '69 Cobra Jet Mach 1 and Andy and Vicki Bickhart's '70 Boss 302.
Tony Branda, from nearby Altoona,...
Tony Branda, from nearby Altoona, is always a presence at the All-Ford Nationals with his huge line of Shelby parts. Note the tape over Tony's shirt logo: He was protesting Shelby's recent demand that he stop using the snake emblem as his company logo.
This isn't your grandfather's...
This isn't your grandfather's Maaco paint job. Typically known for its low-dollar paint jobs, Maaco made a statement about the new capabilities of Maaco shops with the display of an '06 Mustang GT with a Saleen Extreme body kit and DuPont's color-shifting ChromaLusion paint.
You can always depend on finding...
You can always depend on finding something unique in the All-Ford Nationals Fun Field. Bill Pettit brought his rare '69 Limited Edition 600 fastback, made even rarer by its Groovy Green color, which was offered for only three months during the Spring of 1969 on the 600 models only.
Mustang Chief Engineer Hau...
Mustang Chief Engineer Hau Thai-Tang (left) was in Carlisle for his reunion with The Lawman Boss 429 drag car, but he also spent time chatting with car owners in the Fun Field.
In addition to parts for sale,...
In addition to parts for sale, Carlisle backs up its slogan, "I found it at Carlisle," with plenty of Mustangs and Fords for sale. The owner of this super-nice, Signalflare Red '66 fastback was asking $28,000.
Today's Mustang bargains are...
Today's Mustang bargains are the Fox-bodies. This '86 GT convertible was available for an asking price of $6,000.
George Waydo from K.A.R. Auto...
George Waydo from K.A.R. Auto Group was like a beaming father showing off one of his STE Mustangs. George builds the STEs (for styling, technology, and engineering) with an enhanced musclecar image while remaining distinctly Mustang.
You couldn't miss Pati and...
You couldn't miss Pati and Joe Humphrey's '78 King Cobra in the row of Mustang IIs on the Carlisle Fun Field. The Bright Red Mustang was an eye-catcher with its gold hood-decal.
At the AACA Museum, Pony Trails...
At the AACA Museum, Pony Trails participants were provided with plenty of parking, plus they were able to check out the "American Muscle" exhibition inside.
Over 70 Mustangs and other...
Over 70 Mustangs and other Fords departed from CJ Pony Parts for this year's Pony Trails.
Shelby and Boss judging expert...
Shelby and Boss judging expert Ed Meyer was glowing about Gino Lubbi's freshly restored '70 GT350 convertible. Ed says the Grabber Blue Shelby, one of one with its four-speed and air-conditioning combination, is the first small-block '69-'70 Shelby restored with the detailing effort usually reserved for big-blocks.