Many events claim to have the largest this or the largest that, but few, if any, can compare with Fabulous Fords Forever, the one-day all-Ford car show held each year on the grounds of Knott's Berry Farm, the popular amusement park located near Los Angeles. This year's event marked the 23rd annual running, and it combined a perfect SoCal day with 1,832 preregistered cars and over 1,500 in actual attendance-and admission is free to spectators. Amazingly, this show includes more than 30 clubs and a serious showing from Ford's Western Region Communications office, which has been involved since the event's inception.
If you plan to see the whole show, you better get there early. We arrived at 6 a.m., and the train of cars was lined up a half-mile long. After a quick Grand Slam breakfast at the local Denny's, photographer Peter Linney and I headed to the main entrance to scope out the Ford fleet as the gates opened promptly at 7:00 a.m. The flock entered on cue, and by 9:00 a.m., the lot was filled with cars and a mass of spectators.
The '08 celebration focused on the 100th year of the Model T, along with the Torino (40 years) and 60 years of F-Series trucks. But no single model had a greater showing than the Mustang, which seemed to be everywhere and in all styles, colors, and types. There were 1,002 on the property! I'd be hard pressed to believe there wasn't an example of each year, type, or powerplant.
As if the plethora of FoMoCo iron wasn't enough, there were a host of dignitaries on hand. We randomly bumped into Parnelli Jones; Molly and Liz Saleen, as well as their famous father/husband, Steve, who we hear just completed filming of a new Fast and Furious movie. In addition, we spotted Mustang racing legend Gas Ronda; Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas; Marques McCammon, the new general manager of Saleen; and hundreds of faithful MM&FF readers. Ford Racing Performance Parts, Shelby, and Roush were poised with big trailers and many cars on display. Ford also brought out three Bullitt Mustangs (of course, one was a replica), a trio of Cobra Rs, and many other specialty vehicles.
Along with enjoying the sea of Mustangs, we had the task of finding hot West Coast feature cars. With the help of ace photog Peter Linney and our newest model, Cassie Weaver, it was a breeze. We scoured the lots and found hot Cobras, Police Interceptors, GTs, LXs, and enough S197s to last a lifetime. In the end, we locked in on a dozen or so cars that you'll get to see in upcoming issues of MM&FF. So kick back, enjoy the photos, and if you live out West, be sure to check us out in 2009 at the 24th Annual Fab Fords Forever show.
It Didn't take long for one...
It Didn't take long for one of Saleen's new Dan Gurney-edition Mustangs to cross our paths. After being unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in March, this Vista Blue model was on display at Knott's Berry Farm.
It's Common knowledge that...
It's Common knowledge that the Fox-body coupes served Highway Patrol and State Police duty, but we bet you didn't know they also served as transportation for the Secret Service. This clean notchback showed off its distinguished lineage in the car-show area.
We Also had the chance to...
We Also had the chance to scope out Shelby's new Super Snake.
Before The show, a visit was...
Before The show, a visit was paid to John Force Racing in nearby Yorba Linda, where we ran into the NorCal SVTOA club. Located in the Bay Area, the club, headed by President Efron Guerrero, sports 100-plus members. The crew posed for a photo in front of JFR with Jason Aguila's Competition Orange '04 Mach 1.
While Roaming the vast car-show...
While Roaming the vast car-show area, we ran into Mike Yelder, who rolled in from Sunflower, Alabama, in his orange '04 Mustang GT. Yelder is a Master Sergeant who currently serves in the United States Air Force. Thanks for all you do, Mike.
The Historical timeline of...
The Historical timeline of the Bullitt Mustang was on display for all to see at the Fabulous Fords Forever show. Seen here is the brand-new '08 Bullitt (left), a replica of the '68 that started it all (center), and the '01 reincarnation (right).
Even Molly Saleen was in the...
Even Molly Saleen was in the house.
So What's the big deal with...
So What's the big deal with this two-tone S197? A honking blower? Try again. Killer power? Maybe. A chopped top? You bet! This Mustang had its roof lowered by an inch or so. Groovy!
The Setup crew at Knott's...
The Setup crew at Knott's Berry Farm gave the Cobra crowd its own area in which to hang out, shoot the breeze, and talk about the potent Mustangs.
A Former MM&FF feature car...
A Former MM&FF feature car owner, Molly Saleen cruised to the show in her retina-scorching Mollipop-colored Saleen.
How Do you take your vintage...
How Do you take your vintage Parnelli Jones Trans Am Mustang from show to show? Well, on the back of a matching car carrier, of course! This was just too cool to pass up taking a long look at.
In Addition To all the awesome...
In Addition To all the awesome Cobras, there were more than a few Cobra Rs, such as this '00 model. There was also a display of all the model year Cobra Rs, beginning with the '93.
Mm&F Editor Evan Smith (left),...
Mm&F Editor Evan Smith (left), shakes hands with drag racing legend Gas Ronda. For those too young to remember the glory days of drag racing in Southern California in the middle-to-late '60s, Gas piloted a host of Mustangs in everything from Super Stock to the predecessor of Funny Car, the Factory Experimental category.