REPORT – 2024 ALL FORD DAY - JUST CARS

REPORT – 2024 All Ford Day

Words & Photos: Mike Ryan

With last year’s All Ford Day setting records for vehicle entries and public attendance, the expectation was that the 2024 edition would do the same. That it duly did, with more than 1,500 vehicles making the journey to Geelong’s Eastern Park on Sunday, 17 March, while in excess of 7,000 spectators were there to enjoy all things Ford.

Back in 2021, All Ford Day moved to Eastern Park for the 30th edition of this annual show. The venue switch was immediately popular, being located close to the city centre and Geelong’s waterfront, with the park’s three large ovals offering ample space for display cars. The space also makes it easy for spectators to transit between the different display areas. That inherent suitability saw display car numbers grow in 2022 and again in 2023, with this year’s 33rd edition once again making All Ford Day one of the largest single-make car shows in Australia.

While the Ford factory on the north side of the city has been silent since 2016, Geelong is still very much a “Ford town” and that’s reflected in the enthusiasm that All Ford Day continues to generate.

Variety Plus

As the name says, all types of Ford are welcome at All Ford Day, be they from the British, Aussie or American arm of the famous Blue Oval. Sibling brands, like Mercury and Lincoln, are welcome, too. That means you’re sure to see Ford and Ford family vehicles at All Ford Day you’d rarely encounter anywhere else, along with Ford-based hot rods and customs, race cars, trucks and commercial vehicles, plus oddities and rarities – maybe even Blue Oval machines you’re never seen before.

There’s more than just the cars to see and experience, though. Stallholders offer Ford-themed collectables, parts and general auto enthusiast items, with plenty of food vendors on site, too.

Ford Australia always has a presence on the day, usually bringing along something from their locally-based engineering programs, a rarity from their archives or an upcoming model. Last year, it was the fully electric E-Transit van. This year, Ford fans got to see the new Mustang Dark Horse in the metal. This high-performance, limited production, $100K+ Mustang isn’t due for Australian release until early 2025.

Ford’s heritage in utes was celebrated this year, too. Stock and rodded examples of the vehicle invented by Ford Australia in the 1930s were displayed alongside the latest Ranger, which was the nation’s best-selling new car last year.

While it’s an important event for Ford and Geelong, All Ford Day is a big deal for Ford clubs, too, with dozens represented, covering everything from late-model Mustangs to charming Model Ts.

Battle for Bling

While not every Ford fan who takes their car to All Ford Day is looking for a prize, many do register for the judged classes. This year, a total of 37 trophies were up for grabs, across the usual make/model and era segments, as well as Best Interior, Best Paint, Best Club, Best Hot Rod and others. Event sponsors Shannons, Rare Spares and Bowden’s Own presented awards, too, but the one that all entrants strive for is the William Clay Ford Jnr Trophy, presented by Ford Motor Company to the best Ford on the day.

More than 300 registered entrants were judged this year, ensuring the judging teams, made up of various club members, were kept on their feet all morning ahead of the winners being announced in the afternoon.

The William Clay Ford Jnr Trophy for 2024 went to a heavily modified 1950 F-1 pickup, which also picked up trophies for Best Paint, Best Heavy Ford and Best Hot Rod. With a flip front, power tilting tub, 3-inch chop and shaved suicide doors, this rodded pickup was running a blown 503 stroker V8 and C6 auto. With a Mustang II front end, four-link rear and rolling on a set of custom Weld Pro Stars, this pickup had four-wheel disc brakes and a full custom interior, too.

Interestingly, this vehicle was also at All Ford Day in 2023, but only picked up the Best Hot Rod trophy then. This year, it excelled!

Roll on 2025

From hot rods to FPV GTs, and classic Cortinas to modern Mustangs, this year’s All Ford Day gathering was as diverse as ever. Even regular attendees would have seen something new, like the freshly-built GT40 replica that made its debut.

"We anticipated a strong turnout, but the overwhelming support from both spectators and the broader Ford community surpassed our expectations,” said All Ford Day Event Director, Nicholas Heath. “Hosting such a vibrant event was truly exhilarating, and we're committed to maintaining this momentum in the years to come."