The original Ford Mustang of 1964 was named after a wild, some say feral, horse found in the USA.

Ford Mustangs – new and vintage – continue to be celebrated in the Bay of Plenty, some 60 years after the first Ford Mustang was developed.

The Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club celebrated the 60th anniversary of the infamous vehicle with a run/cruise leaving from the Crossing Shopping Centre Lower Carpark on Sunday, April 14, says BOP Mustang Owners Club president Bruce Lewis.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

Sunday’s run

Cruising through Welcome Bay, out onto State Highway 2, onto Sandhurst Drive, Ocean Beach Road to the base of Mt Maunganui and into Maunganui Road, Rata Street, Totara Street, Hewletts Road, over the bridge and right into Chapel Street, Vale Street, Grange Road, Otumoetai Road, Millers Road, Carmicheal Road and right into Bethlehem Road and stopping at Bethlehem Shores Retirement Village.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

“We have some 130 family members and about 250 Mustangs from 1964 to the very latest GT, Roush, Boss and Shelby models.

“Ford launched the Mustang on April 19, 1964, and set a world record of 418,812 cars sold in the first year – that record still stands,” says Bruce.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

After the club’s run, they gathered to listen to guest speaker Kevin Foley, who is a member of both the Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club and United States Mustang Clubs.

“A very pleasant afternoon was enjoyed by all followed by a burger and a drink.”

Bruce says Kevin is a volunteer for the Petersen Automotive Museum which is a huge automotive museum with more than 300 cars spread over three floors in California.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.

“The Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners’ Club was founded in Tauranga in 2002 by a small group of Mustang enthusiasts keen to share the love of their cars and the fun of being part of a group of like-minded people.”

The club welcomes new members who are Mustang Owners and who want to enjoy their cars on runs to a wide variety of places & events, please contact; bopmustangclub@gmail.com.

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club. Photos supplied.