Press ReleasesPRESS RELEASE # 2: MUSTANG MARATHON IS COMING TO TOWN A herd of Ford Mustangs will soon begin to roar through New Zealand on a 3,000 km marathon to celebrate their 40th Anniversary. On the 9th March 1964 the very first Ford Mustang car rolled off Ford America’s Dearborn production line, giving birth to one of the most successful and enduring car models ever. The “Great NZ Mustang Run” leaves Kaitaia on Monday 29th March, and finishes in Bluff 12 days later on Friday 9th April. The run passes through most main towns and cities and represents an ideal time for the public to see these amazing cars at no charge. The very best of the breed will be on show, including rare high performance Shelby, Boss Cobra Jet and Mach 1 model Mustangs, as well as convertibles, and other interesting models from across the 40 model years. A detailed schedule of times and locations where the public can view the cars at no charge, is available on the event website at www.NZMustang.com\NZPonyrun\viewlocations.htm
Wal Marshall, National Organiser of the Mustang Run, with
his rare high performance 1969 Boss 429.
PRESS RELEASE # 1 MUSTANG OWNERS PREPARE FOR MARATHON CELEBRATION. All over New Zealand the owners of Ford Mustang cars are busy preparing for a huge 40th Anniversary celebration in 2004. Forty years ago on the 9th March 1964 the very first Ford Mustang car rolled off Ford America’s Dearborn production line. The launch of the new model on the 17th April was one of the most massively publicised and successful new model launches in history. Demand for Mustangs exceeded Ford’s wildest expectations with customers sleeping in showrooms across the country to make sure they drove one home. Over 1 million Mustangs were sold in the first 2 years. Within months the first Mustangs arrived in New Zealand beginning a long and successful motor sport history in this country. Today there are an estimated 1400 Mustangs in NZ, and with seven very active owners clubs the Ford Mustang is clearly the most popular classic car marque in this country. To ensure the 40th Anniversary is celebrated in style, the seven Mustang clubs have combined resources to run the cars over a 3000 km marathon from Kaitaia to Bluff. The “Great NZ Mustang Run” leaves Kaitaia on Monday 29th March, and finishes in Bluff 12 days later on Friday 9th April. The run passes through most of the main centres where the cars will be on display for short periods. Participants will constantly join and leave the event each day as it progresses down the country, with some participating for as little as a day, others opting to run the entire distance. The organisers are attempting to contact every Mustang owner in NZ, to request that they consider participating in what may well be the biggest single marque event ever held in this country. More information including route maps, itineraries and registration details can be obtained by going to the event website at www.nzmustang.com , by contacting any of the seven Mustang Owners Clubs, or by contacting the national co-ordinator Wal Marshall on 04 2399912 .
The very first Ford Mustang.for
a larger image, and more pictures.
Club Article
The Great New Zealand Mustang Run Kaitaia to Bluff: 29 March to 9 April 2004 It won’t have escaped the attention of Mustang owners that this year is the 40th anniversary of the production of the very 1st Mustang. It rolled of the Dearborn line on the 9th March 1964, and the new model was officially launched 5 weeks later to massive publicity on 17 April. And as they say, the rest is history! To celebrate this milestone there will be the first ever NZ Mustang Marathon - 3000 km from Kaitaia to Bluff. All seven Mustang clubs are co-operating to organise this historic event. The “Great NZ Mustang Run” leaves Kaitaia on Monday 29th March and finishes in Bluff 12 days later on Friday 9th April. The itinerary is set out below.
Where time permits, the cars will be on display for short periods in the main cities and towns as the run passes through. The prime aim is to get as many Mustangs participating as possible, so all Mustang owners, club members and non club members alike are being invited. So if you know someone who owns a stang but is not a club member, be sure to pop around and tell them about it. While some cars have already registered to run the entire distance, its envisaged that most owners will opt to join the event for just a day two. Most overnight stops include at least one organised activity such as a combined meal, visits to local attractions etc etc so this will definitely be a fun event where you can mix with Mustangers from all over NZ. In fact initial registrations suggest that as many as 20% of the participants will NOT be members of any of the existing seven Mustang Clubs. Therefore this is a never to be repeated opportunity to see new cars and meet new people. Each club is individually organising that part of the event which passes through its own area. Our club is organising the legs from Rotorua to Taupo, and from Wanganui to Palmerston North to Masterton and down to Wellington. The cars will park up in the centre of the Palmerston north Town square, on Friday 2nd from approx 1 -3pm, and the next day Sat 3rd in Lower Hutt at the riverside car park from about 11 am to 12.30 pm. The overnight stop in Masterton on Friday night would be a great place to join the run, or even just bring your car down to Lower Hutt on Saturday and add it to the others for the show. Each registered participant will get an A3 glossy poster, a certificate of participation and a copy of the official event booklet providing the background and history of the event, maps of each stage, lists of participants, etc. Further items such as flags and banners are also possible if funding permits. Be sure to register NOW because the prearranged overnight accommodation at each venue will not be held past early March. Also you want to make sure your details are received in time to be included in the event booklet which will be an enduring record of the event and a potential collectors item in future. An Auckland professional photographer has registered to travel the entire 12 days, with a view to publishing a book on the event for international distribution. The BOP club has arranged two days of radio coverage with the station announcers travelling with the event. Full information including route maps, registration details, detail daily schedules pictures of the event clothing, order forms etc etc can be obtained by going to the event website at www.nzmustang.com , or by calling Wal Marshall on 04 2399912. Few Mustang owners will want to miss being part of this historic event, the likes of which may not be seen again in this country for a long time, if ever!
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