By BOB SMITH
rsmith@soundpublishing.com
PORT ORCHARD — When folks think “Mustang,” most don’t envision the equine variety — the kind with, you know, four long legs and hooves. They’re thinking about a four-on-the-floor kick of automotive power combined with unequalled revolutionary styling.
Yes, that Mustang.
It’s a car that, like a first love, can’t easily be forgotten. There aren’t many automobiles like the Mustang that pack its brand recognition, decades-old resilience and owner loyalty all in one model.
The Kitsap Mustang Club knows the pangs of first love and — as it has for the better part of three decades — once again will host a reunion with Mustangs from past decades July 26 in Port Orchard.For the 27th year, the Mustangs on the Waterfront car show will fill Port Orchard’s Waterfront Park with many of the Ford vehicles’ most beloved variations over the years.
Kitsap Peninsula fans keep coming back each year to ogle and admire the legendary Ford “pony car.” For the uninitiated, the Mustang burst onto the American scene in 1964 with introduction of its first model, the 1965 Mustang. But to aficionados, the very first model hitting suburban American streets was the unofficial 1964-1/2 model — the first of the ’Stangs off the production line. The first and most famous of the pony class of American cars, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker’s most successful model launch since the latter-version of the Model A rolled off Henry Ford’s assembly line in 1928.
Susan Stadshaug, 2015 Mustang show co-chair, said the event will be similar to past shows with trophies awarded to cars in 38 classes. Ten $50 door prizes sponsored by Bruce Titus Ford of Port Orchard also will be awarded.But as with previous shows, the Mustangs on display will be the true stars of the event.
“What’s unique about our show is that we only display Mustangs,” Stadshaug said. The Kitsap Mustang Club is one of the few remaining organizations devoted to the Ford pony-class legend in the state, she said.
Stadshaug said the Port Orchard location is a club favorite. “The waterfront location is a big draw,” she said. “Plus, the town is a great place to visit. We have great participation by the local businesses.”
The Mustang show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 26. The gate will open at 8 a.m. at the Kitsap Bank entrance for participants.
Trophy sponsors are Canopy World and Parr Ford.
Mustang owners can pre-register by mail or can register the morning of the event. The Kitsap Mustang Club has more information on the show at its website, www.kitsapmustangclub.org. The event chairs can be reached by phone: Stadshaug, 360-620-5864 or 360-692-1724; Erv Malkowski, 360-662-6770.
