45th Mustang Club Of America Celebration - Over Whelming Celebration

No, this '10 Mustang GT wasn't involved in an accident. Ford brought the sideways '10 to give 45th attendees a close-up look at the new Mustang's undercarriage.

If there had been a Best Husband award from the 45th, Patrick Bouthoorn from the Netherlands would get the prize for surprising his wife, Astrid, with the keys to a brand-new Terlingua Mustang at the Shelby Automobiles display. He did get a kiss.

One of the busiest spots in the manufacturer's area was the Mustang Club of America's tent where attendees could purchase 45th anniversary apparel and memorabilia.

Nine original owners of '641/2 Mustangs displayed their cars in front of the Barber motorcycle museum. From left to right: Phil Florio, Marvin Walter, Edgar "Alex" Alexander, Laki Malamatenios, John Blakely, Jack Zwirlein, Kathy Miller, Fred Glazier, and Marc Snyder. Watch for a feature on these special people and their cars in next month's issue.

Nick Kirby's '70 Boss 302 stood out in the concours area for what it doesn't have. Unlike most Boss 302s that you see today, Nick's ultra-clean Lime Green Metallic Boss lacks the popular Shaker hood scoop, rear window slats and spoiler, and Magnum 500 wheels.

CJ Pony Parts set up a store-in-a-tent display at the 45th. The huge tent was stocked with everything from small trim parts to sheetmetal.

We caught Peter Geisler from Orlando Mustang switching to his concours battery in a recently restored '66 GT350H.

A Mustang Challenge autograph session in the paddock area included a couple of big names from professional racing-Scott Pruett (center) and three-time Mustang Trans-Am champion Tommy Kendall (right).

Jim Liner came to Birmingham with the Champaign Gold '65 fastback he purchased brand-new in 1965. He told us he originally purchased a '641/2 convertible but when it was totaled in an accident, he replaced it with this new-for-65 fastback.

Mixing manufacturers and new-parts vendors with the parts swap made for some interesting shopping. You could find the latest reproductions from companies like California Mustang, or you could step next door and check out used parts right up to complete bodies like this '65 fastback.

Gateway Classic Mustang displayed our January 2009 cover car, a '68 Bullitt replica built for Steve McQueen's son, Chad McQueen.