You just never know in Florida. As the residents say, "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes-it will change." That statement held true for the week prior to the National Mustang Racer's Association, when cold temperatures and rain marred the Chamber of Commerce marketing pitch. By the time the NMRA gang rolled into Bradenton Motorsport Park for the Nitto Tire Spring Ford Nationals March 9-11, the nasty weather had slid off into the Atlantic and was replaced with spring's typical warm and tropical sunshine.
The promise of a spectacular weekend convinced local car show participants to uncover their Mustangs and Fords to head out to the track east of Bradenton for the Laurel Mountain Mustang All-Ford Auto Show, which took place adjacent to the quarter-mile dragstrip. Even Craig Wells brought out his seldom-driven '66 Shelby GT350H-a 32,000-mile example that's driven only on nice days. He joined nearly 200 other car show participants on Saturday. The effort earned him a Mustang Monthly Editor's Choice award.
Paul Griffin gave many show-goers...
Paul Griffin gave many show-goers their first chance to view an '07 Shelby GT in person.
One of the nicer restored...
One of the nicer restored Mustangs in the Laurel Mountain Mustang All-Ford Auto Show was John Fitzgerald's '68 California Special.
Paul Rogers' modified SVO...
Paul Rogers' modified SVO was an attention-getter on Saturday.
Car Show Results
Saturday
Best Classic Mustang
First: Jim Lowe, '65 Mustang fastback
Second: Curt and Ken Smith, '69 coupe
Best Modern Mustang
First: Chris Merkel, '06 GT (tie)
First: Steve Procko, '97 Cobra (tie)
Second: Wayne Rhode, '03 Cobra
Special Interest
First: Steve Naeger, '65 Shelby CSX (tie)
First: Victor Perez, '07 Shelby GT500 (tie)
Second: Bob and Carol Swearingen, '05 Roush Mustang
The Nitto Tire NMRA Spring...
The Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Ford Nationals attracted a varied lineup of Ford and Mustang vendors for the Manufacturers' Midway. Steeda Autosports was there showing off a couple of Steeda Mustangs and several aftermarket performance parts.
Popular Vote
Best Engine
First: Chris Merkel, '06 Mustang GT
Second: Steve Procko, '97 Mustang Cobra
Best Stance
First: Carl Poleschner, '84 Mustang
Second: Wayne Rhode, '03 Mustang Cobra
People's Choice
First: Michael Misoff, '05 Mustang GT
Second: Kimber Rook, '03 Mustang Cobra
Sunday
Best '65-'70 Mustang
Anthony Greco, '67 GTA (tie)
Carlos Maranda, '68 fastback (tie)
Best '71-'78 Mustang
Larry Tamburino, '71 Mach 1
Best '79-'93 Mustang
Warren Goldman, '93 Mustang Cobra
Best '94-'98 Mustang
Greg Kuhn, '03 Mach 1
Best '05-'07 Mustang
Chris Merkel, '06 GT
Best SVT Mustang
Jesse Faulkner, '04 Cobra
Best Tuner Car
Bob and Carol Swearingen, '05 Roush (tie)
Vincent and Rhea Cook, '02 Saleen (tie)
Steve Kish, '06 Roush
Best Shelby/Boss
Victor Perez, '07 Shelby GT500 (tie)
Clarissa Parodi, '07 Shelby GT500 (tie)
Ken and Curt Smith's Winter...
Ken and Curt Smith's Winter Blue '69 Mustang hardtop was looking sharp with Halibrand wheels and a Maier Racing rear deck with spoiler. Originally powered by a 200ci six cylinder, the car is now equipped with a 351 Cleveland.
Best Daily Driver
Carlos Ramos, '03 Mach 1
Under Construction
Jan Legacy, '78 Mustang II
Popular Vote
Best Paint
Dennis Boyd, '03 Mach 1
Best Engine
Bob Golden, '03 Steeda Mustang
Best Interior
Tony Bunder, '88 Mustang GT
People's Choice
Chris Merkel, '06 Mustang GT
Best of Show
First: Chris Merkel, '06 Mustang GT
Second: Steve Procko, '97 Mustang Cobra
Third: Dennis Boyd, '03 Mach 1
Chris Merkel likely needed...
Chris Merkel likely needed a second vehicle to haul awards he won in Bradenton with his heavily modified and well detailed '06 Mustang GT, called Mr. Vader. Chris won three trophies on Saturday, including Best Engine. He won four more on Sunday, including Best of Show.
Jim Lowe grabbed us between...
Jim Lowe grabbed us between rows to see if we knew anything about the odd rear quarter-panels on his '65 fastback. The quarters are flattened around the wheel openings, before the flares.
Jim says he has spotted them...
Jim says he has spotted them on at least three cars he has seen for sale on eBay. We've never seen them before. If anyone recognizes them, let us know at mustangmonthly@sourceinterlink.com.
Editor's Choice
We've been attending Florida Mustang shows for the better part of 25 years, so we were surprised to spot a super nice but unfamiliar '66 GT350H with Florida tags in the Laurel Mountain show field. Owner Craig Wells nonchalantly explains why: "I don't take it out very much. Just around town, and maybe to a car show once a year."
That explains why the 32,000-mile car remains so clean and detailed, and why we've never run across Craig and his GT350H. Restored 20 years ago by a previous owner in Ohio, the former Hertz rental car has been in Craig's possession for the last 10 years. He didn't add many miles to the odometer to participate in the NMRA's Laurel Mountain Mustang All-Ford Auto Show-he lives in Parrish, Florida, just a few miles up the road from Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Shelby American produced 1,000 GT350H Mustangs for the Hertz Sports Car Club. Most were painted in the Hertz corporate colors, black and gold, similar to Craig's car, although 200 in batches of 50 each were delivered in white, red, blue, and green. The GT350Hs incorporated all the standard GT350 modifications, including the 289 Cobra engine, sidescoops, and glass rear-quarter windows; Shelby performance suspension, traction bars, and metallic brake pads and linings. That explains the warning sticker on the instrument panel reading: "This vehicle is equipped with competition brakes; Heavier than normal brake pedal pressure may be required." Because the cars were created for rental car clients, most of them came with automatic transmissions. Craig's GT350H is 1 of 85 that came with a four-speed.