Mustang Roundup: Celebrating the Thoroughbred of Musclecars
Calendar year 2014 has been a whirlwind tour for the Mustang as it celebrates 50 years of full throttle fun. Few pay tribute to the original ponycar like Mustangs Northwest, whose annual party is a four-day affair. Held at Bellevue College just outside of Seattle, Washington, the 34th Annual Mustang Roundup & All Ford Picnic consists of much more than just a car show. Starting with a ride and drive at Pacific Raceway's 2.25-mile road course, then the popular Pony Trails “a scenic, back roads cruise with other fellow Ford enthusiasts,” followed by a Mustang Club of America regional judged show, and finally a dinner cruise on the Puget Sound - all before the centerpiece, the People’s Choice Show & All Ford Picnic, dubbed “the world’s largest annual gathering of Mustangs.” Although the threatening weather kept some ponies away, the quality of cars there raised eyebrows and dropped jaws. This show gathered Ford Mustangs from Canada to deep into the heartland. [caption id="attachment_20199" align="alignleft" width="940"] Even in a line of three red Mustangs, the quality of John and Rebecca Robertson’s 5.0-swapped ’66 shined through.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20200" align="alignleft" width="940"] The engine is a 302 block topped by heads fitted with an ’87 fuel injection set-up. A Painless wiring harnesses makes the swap a 'straightforward' proposition.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20201" align="alignleft" width="940"] Hailing from north of the border the license plate on this ’07 GT500 convertible lays it all on the line.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20202" align="alignleft" width="940"] This Canadian pony is legit as the owner displayed a dyno chart testifying to the Ford’s 778 wheel horsepower.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20204" align="alignleft" width="940"] The owner of this ’68 coupe did all the work, minus the Gulf-inspired paint scheme. He was busy, as a peak under the hood revealed a fascinating swap.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20205" align="alignleft" width="940"] A turbocharged 2.3-liter Ford SVO powerplant motivates this stallion. The Special Vehicle Operation Mustang sold between 1984 and 1986 pushed out a max of 205 horsepower but this engine is fitted with a Megasquirt fuel injection set-up so who knows how much it’s belting out.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20207" align="alignleft" width="940"] The originality, and Lime Green Metallic paint, of this sweet ’70 Boss 302 caught our eye. The G-Code numbers matching Boss has a Marti report, much of its original documentation, and a sales price of $63k.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20203" align="alignleft" width="940"] The organizers carve up the Bellevue venue, giving each tuner its own space. Saleen has been a stout supporter of the event, and Steve Saleen himself was on hand signing autographs.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20208" align="alignleft" width="940"] Fastbacks are the bomb when it comes to first-gen Mustangs. Still the price of this high-riding ’68 was a bit intense, $20,500. It’s a C4 automatic that, according to the for sale sign, “you can drive while you restore.”[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20195" align="alignleft" width="940"] Hot or not, one look at this over-oxidized should send the heartiest Mustang fan running. Why is it even here? Peer into the cockpit and all is explained...[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20209" align="alignleft" width="940"] …Hello Mr. Shelby.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20196" align="alignleft" width="940"] The People’s Choice Show is open to all things Ford and there were a few Rancheros, T-Birds, and the like. This ’65 MkIII Superformance Cobra was a stunner.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20197" align="alignleft" width="940"] The all-aluminum Roush 342-R V8 wedged between the fenders brought a smile to all who peaked in the engine bay.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20198" align="alignleft" width="940"] The classy eight-stack fuel injection set-up really elevates the car to the next level.[/caption] That wraps up this years Mustang Roundup -to get connected with the group who puts on the show, surf over to MustangsNorthwest.org.