On the Road Again
As part of Mustang Monthly's 20th anniversary in 1998, we embarked on a series of four cruises at four of the nation's premier Mustang shows. Dubbed "Pony Trails," the driving events provided an opportunity for Mustang owners to cruise with other Mustang owners instead of spending an entire weekend parked on a show field. On January 9, 1998, the first Pony Trails, 12 Mustangs strong, rolled out of the Best Western parking lot in Zephyrhills, Florida, for a scenic trip through the Ocala National Forest to Silver Springs for the Ford and Mustang Roundup.
 More than 130 Mustangs gathered...  More than 130 Mustangs gathered at the National Parts Depot headquarters in Ocala for the start of our 10th Annual Silver Spring Pony Trails. |  |  NPD Vice-President Rick Schmidt...  NPD Vice-President Rick Schmidt shouted out the driver's meeting directions and notes, which included a warning about possible speed traps on the two-lane highways leading to Cedar Key. |
Ten years later, Pony Trails is still part of the action at Silver Springs, and it's more popular than ever. This past January 5, 135 Mustangs departed the National Parts Depot headquarters for an 1 1/2-hour trek to Cedar Key, a quaint fishing village located on the Gulf of Mexico. I caught a ride with NPD Marketing Director Scott Halseth, who rented a new Mustang convertible for his trip down from Detroit. A convertible in January? Yep, and thanks to Florida's balmy weather, we made the drive with the top down.
Part of the Pony Trails fun is driving along with Mustangs as far as you can see, front and rear, so we were thankful to the Ocala Police Department for stopping traffic at major intersections so we could stick together until we exited I-75. From there, it was a scenic cruise on two-lane highways all the way to Cedar Key, where we were greeted by the local police chief as we rolled into town. From there, everyone filtered into the shopping district for lunch at one of the many waterside restaurants.
Afterwards, NPD Vice President Rick Schmidt invited everyone back to headquarters in Ocala to tour the company's impressive car museum, which is filled with pristine, low-mileage classic cars, including several Mustangs and Fords, of course. There was also a mobile chassis dyno where Mustang owners could back-up-or back-down-from their bench-racing boasts.
 At the National Parts Depot...  At the National Parts Depot tent, Marketing Director Scott Halseth showed NPD's new ram-air air cleaner assembly for '71-'73 Mustangs. |  Oops-looks like someone rented...  Oops-looks like someone rented a new Hertz Shelby GT-H for the car show. No one seemed to complain. In fact, most enjoyed seeing one in person. |  As usual, the local Shelby...  As usual, the local Shelby and Boss contingent gathered in a shady corner of Silver Springs. The Mustang and Ford Roundup continuously attracts the best from the Southeast. |
 Miami's Eduardo Maura showed...  Miami's Eduardo Maura showed off his updated interpretation of the '69 Mach 1. We're not sure if it's blue or purple, but the car looked great with gold striping and 17-inch wheels. |  It's rare to stumble across...  It's rare to stumble across an original-owner vintage Mustang. Sharon Kohler purchased her '67 Mustang hardtop on July 7, 1967, as her first car, and she still owns it today. Sharon and husband, Tim, who drove the Mustang in 1968 for their honeymoon to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, restored the car in 1992. The couple now resides in Hampton, Georgia, where they are members of the Tara Mustang Club. |  Dave Burton must've been one...  Dave Burton must've been one of the first to purchase a new Foose Mustang. We're wondering if he drove it straight from the dealership to Silver Springs. |