  2002 |
|
annual Ford extravaganza at Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, California, 21 April 2002 by Bob McClurg |
Fab Fords at the Farm
We always delight in attending the Ford Western Region Car Club Council-sanctioned "Fabulous Fords Forever" one-day outdoor "Ford-A-Ganza" held at Knott's Berry Farm Amusement Park. There's so much to see. So much in fact that it's kind of hard to take in all the sights in just one day's time.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
This year, over 1800 special interest Fords ranging from Focuses to Model-T's rolled through the gates of Knott's Independence Hall parking lot. Annually, this event draws entrants from all over the Golden State, as well as surrounding states (eight states total,) along with entrants from as far away as Europe and Canada.
Of that number some 737 of this year's showgoers were Mustang owners with the "old versus new" ratio at about 50/50. If you were into supercharged late-models, this was the place. Or how about a totally restored 1966 Shelby GT350, or a K-Model convertible. There were plenty of 'em there. Boss 302s? No problem! Saleens? Mustangs GTs? SVOs? Plenty for you to choose from!
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
And when it came to Cobras? Well, when was the last time you went to a show where you saw "CSX2000," the very first Shelby Cobra ever built, on display along with 49 other Cobras and Cobra replicas in one place? It was at Knott's!
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
And speaking of Cobras. Annually the Knott's event commemorates a milestone anniversary of a Ford specialty car, and this year they recognized two. The 40th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra, and the 35th anniversary of the Mercury Cougar.
You could find everything from XR7s to Boss 'Eliminators.'
 Sunbeam Alpines. |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
Assembled for revue in the Independence Hall infield was not only CSX 2000, you also found Carroll Shelby's #98 Cobra Daytona Coupe, Hank Williams' 289 Cobra roadster, and Dick Smith's #198, the world's fastest big block Cobra (he once was clocked at 198 mph... hence his #198 meatball).
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
Of course, Ford Motor Company always uses the event to showcase many of their new vehicles, and this year was no exception. Assembled in the Knott's Independence Hall infield were the likes of the new Cougar 'Eliminator,' the 2003 Mustang "Mach-1, and 2003 Mercury "Marauder" pre-production show cars.
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
And when it came to personalities Fab Fords-17 also had the best. Carroll Shelby was one of four personalities featured at the 1:00 pm o'clock autograph session along with "My Classic Car" host Dennis Gage, Linda Vaughn, the former "Miss Hurst Golden Shifter," and Miss California 2002's Stephanie Baldwin.
 |
|
 |
Also assembled in the infield area were the auto makers new "THINK" light duty vehicles. looking more like overgrown golf carts than automobiles, THINK combines the best of both worlds. They were used by Ford Western Region Car Club Council officials to shuttle dignitaries around.
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
However, by day's end, there's only one winner of the coveted "Johnna Pepper Memorial Trophy" for the best Ford car; this year it went to Art Hopkins Huntington Beach-based Twilight Turquoise 1968 Cougar XR7-G.
 |
|
 |
Over on the truck side of the coin, winner of the "Bill Stroppe Memorial Trophy" was the mild custom 1997 Ford XLT150 owned by Groveland, California's Steven Gruender.
If you're thinking about exhibiting your Ford metal at next year's Fabulous Fords Forever event, get your entry in early. You see, just about every Ford enthusiast in Southern California entertains a similar resolve.
return
to "Mustang
Country"
home page
return to "What's
New in Cobra Country"
page
return to Cobra
Country home page
