MM: I read that you'd like to see the Mustang in NASCAR. Anything happening on that front?
Wolfe: Truth be known, in one of my first meetings with NASCAR, they asked politely if, when the Nationwide series switches over to the Car of Tomorrow, we take a look at making that car with the Mustang nose as opposed to the Fusion. We said we would definitely look at that, which is what we're doing right now. At this point, the Fusion is approved for Nationwide and it's doing quite well. And we have the 2010 Fusion approved for the COT as well. But we have actually built some cars with the Mustang nose and hood for wind-tunnel work. So yes, we're actively looking at that as a possibility. Do you have any more info on that, Kevin?
Kevin Kennedy (Ford Racing Public Affairs Manager): A lot is going to depend on what direction NASCAR wants to go. They just made changes to the Sprint Cup COTs, so that may not change for a little bit. Now they're looking at Nationwide but a lot depends on the economy. They're trying to be mindful of the costs for the teams to changeover. We'll have to wait and see. (Editor's note: Right before we went to press, Brian announced that the Mustang would debut as a Nationwide Series race car in 2010. See page 14).
MM: Many of the parts in the Ford Racing catalog are for late-model Mustangs but we're seeing a lot of them being adapted to vintage Mustangs - crate engines, Cobra brakes, etc.
Wolfe: It's nice when they can modernize those cars. I love the fuel injection conversions, which are great for restomods. Then there are the base blocks and heads we offer.
MM: What are you planning to tell the Mustang owners at the 45th banquet?
Wolfe: It won't be a lot different from what we've talked about here. The cool part about Mustangs is that they appeal to so many different people. I call it the heirloom car because it's been in the Ford family forever. The kid can't wait to drive dad's car or grandpa's car. People remember Mustangs for their first date, the drive-in, the cross-country vacation, and trips to the amusement park, things that are part of everyone's memory. It could be a '64 1/2 or an '82 or a '92. Or for someone who just bought an '05. It has that appeal. You've got the restorers, the guys who have always loved Mustangs but let their first one go and now want to recreate it. They want to know where that stamp was from the factory. And then you've got the guys like myself, the modifiers and racers, who make the Mustang their car. So you've got all those different types of folks. Of course, I'll end with a shameless advertisement: "If you want us back for the 50th anniversary, we'd appreciate your purchase of other Ford products as well."