Fabulous Fords go on forever at California show

While the Mustang got its own celebration two days earlier on the other side of the country at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, on Sunday, the annual Fabulous Fords Forever show in California honored all Blue Oval creations of the last 100 years.

From the Model T to the new Mustang, there were hundreds of Ford cars and a few trucks spread out across the parking lot of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park.

This was the 24th running of the show, which was started by Ford and a herd of Mustang clubs as a kickoff to the car-show season.

"They were tired of seeing the same cars over and over at their own shows," explained Sandi Badgett, doyenne of Ford PR in California, of the show's start almost a quarter of a century ago. "So they wanted to put on a bigger show with all models of Fords."

This year, Ford owners came from 10 states and Canada to show off their cars. Parnelli Jones was driven around the massive lot in a golf cart, and car-building demigod Chip Foose signed autographs until both hands fell off (almost).

"It's great," said Darren Simonds, who drove his 1966 Galaxie 500 XL from Sacramento. "As far as the size, it's incredible."

His group, NorCal Galaxies, brought 58 cars down to the show. Next to the Galaxies were Gran Torinos, Mercury station wagons and Ford Fairlanes. One row to the east were Thunderbirds and one row west were Model Ts in all forms. A few rows behind them were the trucks, which covered all years from the Model T era to great Econoline vans of the '60s. Across the lot were what looked like almost all of the early Broncos ever made. In another corner were Shelby Mustangs and Cobras.

We were most impressed with a 1970 Mustang painted up in the number 15 Trans Am livery of the great Parnelli Jones, and not just because the great Parnelli Jones was there when we saw it. Owner Les Werling also bought and reconditioned a matching Ford diesel flatbed truck to haul the car around.

"I always wanted a big diesel truck," Werling said. "And that's what I got."

Werling spent three months sanding the interior to accept the yellow paint. It originally was green, then was painted red during its tenure as a fire truck, and it now wears the splendid yellow paint job and hauls the Trans Am racer re-creation.

But it was the new Mustang that was by far the most popular car at the show. Like Ferraris at Concorso, there were acres and acres of them, some arranged by engines, some by years and some by color. Yes, the Legend Lime Registry, which celebrates the two model years that Ford offered this pale-green color on a Mustang, were out in force. God bless 'em. Check them out at www.legendlimeregistry.com. Or, if your tastes vary, there also are registries for yellow and black Mustangs. Blue Mustangs, you must organize.

Next year's show, being the 25th, might be even better, though it's hard to imagine how.

By Mark Vaughn