50th Anniversary Celebration

[mustangted1963]

if there was only 1 show and it was more 2 days away i wouldnt be there

[CW4macret]

We discussed this at our meeting this week and everyone had the same concerns. MCA sometimes has trouble providing judging and show oversight at one show how can they support two? And of course which show is going to get the better vendors and automotive icons? Also many members said they plan save their money and go to the one BIG Ford celebration referred to in the video. Hopefully Ford will hold it central like KC. I am afraid turn out will be low for this MCA duel event.

[Mustang 3]

The sad thing in that instead of the intended goal of "joining" the east/west halfs of the Mustang world they are doing the opposite and pushing them further apart.

[kryptonite]

The 45th in Birmingham: A lot of nice cars that I could not see all of them (mostly because I worked as a volunteer in parking) Not sure how many cars were there.

I believe the last Anniversary event held in Charlotte had around 3,000 cars.

With the 50th being split, you a segregating West Coasters and East Coasters. Like people on the West Coast, I can go to Charlotte anytime. It is only 3 hrs away for me. Should be ONE large event. If not in Detroit, somewhere in the middle of the country so that driving for the coasters would be close to equal in miles. IF they are set on two events, then do them on separate weeks.

[jacostang]

Its just plain sad..... I just wonder if anyone really is listening. I mean Vegas for us, ok great close by been there about 20 times... Really looking forward to seeing so many people on the forums that this might be the only time to actually talk to them in person.. I would drive back to Detroit to meet everyone... I mean think of all the sponsors and vendors at one place, with 2 shows who going where????

[Doug Gompertz]

SENT, VIA EMAIL, TO ALL BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS I COULD FIND AN EMAIL ADDRESS FOR. SOME I DID FIND WERE WRONG AND THERE WERE 9 I COULD NOT FIND.

To The Board Of Directors Of THE MCA.

I MUST PROTEST MCA’S DECISION TO HOLD 2 SHOWS ON THE SAME WEEKEND to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang. This is a huge mistake and a slap in the face to many, many members of the MCA.

How dare you dilute the most historic event in Mustang history! How many other car models have 50years of continuous production? I can only think of one – Corvette!

By your actions, you have said to your dues paying membership that we do not count! I’ve heard that the idea behind 2 shows was that 2 shows would increase MCA membership . . . wrong! You will lose membership over this stupid idea! I would like to see the list of how each member of the Board of Directors voted for this dumb idea. I can guarantee that they will not get my vote the next time they run for office. (If I am still a member)

What will happen is this; One show will be "THE EVENT" and the other show will be the "UGLY DUCKLING". Any guess as to which one is which? My bet is those who choose to go to Vegas will get shortchanged - big time. The elite east coast “in group” of MCA will see to it that the Charlotte show gets all the big names.

Question: How are you going to get all the vendors that would be at one event, in these tough economic times, to staff and display at two different shows?

Question: How are you going to get all the dignitaries who usually attend a MCA "Birthday" show to attend two different shows at the same time?

Question: How are you going to get all of the MCA Elected officials to attend both events at the same time, so your dues paying membership can interact with each and every one? If you think that only sending a few to each show will suffice, think again. All of us deserve to see and talk with them all - not just a few!

You have created a logistics nightmare . . . for what purpose? You think that people only go to a "Birthday Show" for the judging . . . or for the on track events? Well you're wrong. Some of us go for the event, the excitement of participating in one, large event, where everyone comes together as one; We go to visit all the vendors together in one place; We go to see friends from all over this country, and the world, whom we only see once every 5 years. Some of us go to a show for the personal interaction, not for the track events or the judging. Now, with your new proposal, if some go to Vegas, and others go to Charlotte, we, your dues paying membership, lose out big time in seeing everyone.

IF YOU DARE . . . ASK YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR A VOTE AS TO WHAT THEIR WISHES ARE REGARDING THIS SHOW AND IT’S VENUE, AND THEN ABIDE BY IT!

It is still not too late to take your head out of the sand, and revisit your stupid decision.

Read your own MCA website forum as well as all the other Mustang forums out there . . . you will get a good picture of what your average member thinks about your plan.

The choice is in your hands, but the time to act is limited.

Doug Gompertz
56603

[03gt04mach1]

I was like many others at first, not wanting two shows. But, the more I thought about it, the better it sounded. Especially, since both will be held on the same day. The 45th was crowded enough in Birmingham. I can't imagine how packed it would be for only one location on the 50th! Everyone who hasn't been to other anniversary shows, will definitly be at this one, because of the historical significance. Plus more can attend, if they can't drive that far to a single location. I'd like it to be only one location, but I think it's wise to split it just this once. Plus Ford and the MCA is thinking about attendees too. It costs them double of what a single location would. If the show is TOO BIG, it may not be as enjoyable either. Let it happen, just this one time. Then we'll go back to one location again. At least 'till the 100th...Oh, CRAP! I won't be able to make it for that one.

[Doug Gompertz]

One, of many comments regarding the 50th Celebration taken from the Mustangs Across America website. It's not just Americans that are upset by MCA's decision!

Originally Posted by Ausfox

Having graduated from a rental Mustang in 2004 for the MAA run to Nashville to buying a 8000 mile 1979 Pace Car for the MAA run to Birmingham, I thought I would do something different for the run to the 50 th celebrations.

Am half way through the build of a car to bring from Australia for the MAA run in 2014.

Now what do I do?.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like jeremyfd above, some of us that are coming from overseas, need to plan well in advance so lets hope the MCA decision makers see reason and take heed of this and other Forums and have one event befitting the 50th Anniversary.

Now what do you do? Let us know where the Australian group will go and Mom and I will meet you there.

We loved the drive in '09 and I loved the drive in '04. The show was always a good one, but I always enjoyed the drive much, much more. Many of us Mustang owners are Mustang Drivers, not Mustang sit at your car in a lawn chair at a show-ers. Personally I'd much rather drive across this country for 4 days than sit at a show for 4 days.

Not to mention the friendships we have fostered, the stories of the road, and the sight on the last day of the drive when you round a slight curve and all you can see are Mustang taillights in front of you and Mustang headlights in the rear view mirror, this is THE reason for the event.

Time is short, if not past. I hope something settles out of all of this. The 50th will not even begin to compare with the last two celebrations for me.

Chris Gramza
MAA '09
MAA '04

[Mustang 3]

1. Ford Racing has 1 show trailer that it takes around the country- which show does it go to?
2. Roush has 1 show trailer that it takes aorund the country- which show does it go to?
3. Shelby has 1 show tralier.................
4. MRT- Mustang Racing Technologies established by Scott Hoag of Team Mustang has 1 dispaly set up- which show gets it?
5. There is only 1 1964 1/2 Mustang-first off the assembly line- which show gets it?
6. There is only 1 1962 Mustang Concept car - which show gets it?

[03gt04mach1]

As previously pointed out--FORD IS NOT INVOLVED in this decision. Ford has NOT "signed on". This is strictly the MCA Board acting entirely on its own. So please, NO love/hate aspects regarding Ford over this--FORD IS NOT INVOLVED.

1 MCA Board Member wants to grow MCA towards the west to make it a true National Club. He is a very kind man with a good heart who wants what is best for MCA. Until he steps forward I will leave his name out of the discussion (but how many MCA Board Members come from California and organized a video introduction to the 50th announcement) he believes a West celebration show is important for MCA growth... just as the President of Coca Cola did when he came up with the New Coke idea, and how did that turn out. Ron convinced the President of MCA to join his dream and those 2 sole individuals drove this decision. These are kind, intellient people who simply want to do the right thing for MCA but have made a miscalculation and in fact are doing the reverse. This act is splitting MCA and the internaitonal Mustang world, not bringing it together.

1. Ford Racing has 1 show trailer that it takes around the country- which show does it go to?
2. Roush has 1 show trailer that it takes aorund the country- which show does it go to?
3. Shelby has 1 show tralier.................
4. MRT- Mustang Racing Technologies established by Scott Hoag of Team Mustang has 1 dispaly set up- which show gets it?
5. There is only 1 1964 1/2 Mustang-first off the assembly line- which show gets it?
6. There is only 1 1962 Mustang Concept car - which show gets it?

I see your point. I still thought Ford had a say even if there wasn't a final decision yet. I guess the best way is a SINGLE venue after reading your post, thank you for that.