Ford Mustang turns 50 next week

In Concord, North Carolina and Las Vegas, Nevada, Mustang owners, fans and celebrities will come together from around the world to honor 50 years of their favourite car, with the excitement set to kick off from April 16, the eve of the Mustang's birthday.

The simultaneous celebrations, hosted by Ford Motor Company and Mustang Club of America, will feature more than 5,000 Mustangs, more than 100,000 Mustang enthusiasts, and many of the people who have helped create the legend over the past 50 years.

Each location will feature special Mustang Garage displays with examples of every model year of Mustang including the all-new 2015 edition. For many attendees, the celebrations will be their first opportunity to see the sixth-generation Mustang.

Additional activities include open track events, drag races, evening Mustang cruises, ride-and-drive programs in new Ford vehicles, Mustang history sessions, and opportunities to share in what will be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of an American icon.

The two-city celebration will feature appearances by some of the people who contributed to the development of what many consider to be the most recognized automobile on the planet. Along with many others, Gale Halderman, the designer credited with the shape of the first-generation Mustang and Jack Telnack, retired Ford vice president of design will attend the Charlotte festivities, while product planner Hal Sperlich will be on hand at Las Vegas.

Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford and Chief Operating Officer Mark Fields will lead the celebrations at Charlotte, joined by Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer and John Felice, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing, sales and service. Fields also will participate in the Las Vegas event, along with Moray Callum, Ford vice president of global design, Hau Thai-Tang, Ford group vice president, global purchasing and former Mustang chief engineer; and Henry Ford III.

"The excitement of the automotive event of the century is too alluring for the Ford team to miss out on," said Mustang Club of America's Ronald D. Bramlett, executive director of the 50 Years of Mustang celebration.
"Members of the Ford family and Ford Motor Company senior leadership team, as well as many other members of Team Mustang plan to attend and celebrate the prestige and fun of 50 years of Mustang."

For more information, visit www.mustang50thbirthdaycelebration.com, and the Mustang Club of America website, www.mustang.org

For details on the Australian 50th celebrations - the Mustang and Shelby Nationals - click here.