Mustang Monthly

NMRA Ford Expo - Hello, Columbus

The NMRA Rode Into The Heart Of Ohio For Its Ford Expo At National Trail

From the April, 2007 issue of Mustang Monthly

By Donald Farr

Photography by Paul Rosner

For nearly three decades, the Ford faithful have converged in Columbus, Ohio, during Labor day weekend for the Ford Expo at National Trail Raceway. For many, traveling to Columbus has become a Labor Day ritual, a grand ending for summer before the northeast weather turns too cool for cruising.

Originally organized and run for many years by National Trail, the Ford Expo is now part of the NMRA's season-long series of drag races and shows. The 28th annual event was somewhat hampered by rain, enough to cancel Friday's drag racing and delay Saturday's qualifying until mid-afternoon. But a bit of wet weather has never dampened the enthusiasm for Ohio owners when it comes to showing off their Mustangs. In spite of the weather, the Laurel Mountain Mustang All-Ford Auto Show 'n' Shine at Columbus was loaded with some of the area's nicest Fords.

MUSTANG SHOW WINNERS
SATURDAY
Best Classic Mustang
First:	Ken Schmidt, ’68 GT/CS
Tie:	John Baucher, ’65 Coupe Charlie Smith, ’681¼2 GT Cobra Jet Tim & Sue Pfautsch, ’65 GT
Best Modern Mustang
First:	Terry Allen, ’93 LX Jesse Houseman, ’88 LX
Second:	Ben Halker, ’05 GT Jay McConahay, ’05 GT
Best Daily Driver
First:	Charles Francis, ’04 Mach 1
Second:	Loren Mayle, ’93 LX
Best Young Builder
First:	Eric Wiget, ’96 Mustang GT
Second:	Ben Palecek, ’69 Fairlane

Editor's Choice
Ken Schmidt had a good weekend in Columbus. First, his '68 California Special took First Place in Saturday's Best Classic Mustang competition. On Sunday, the restored Acapulco Blue GT/CS drove away with Second Place for Best of Show, topped only by Carl Lynn's '56 Crown Victoria. As a bonus, photographer Paul Rosner picked Ken's hardtop for Mustang Monthly's Editors Choice award.

One of 4,117 hardtops built as a special Shelby-influenced promotion for the California Western Region Ford Dealers, Ken's GT/CS has all of the California Special equipment. Starting out as a 289 4V-powered GT, the car gets its unique status from the Shelby-style rearend and sidescoops, grille-mounted Lucas foglights, hood locks, and side stripes. This GT/CS is also equipped with a white vinyl roof, automatic transmission, console, and Cobra dress-up kit for the engine. Ken, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, employed Powell's Auto Body for the blue paint.