Ford Division Donates $1.5 Million for New Mustang Museum
2 November 1998
Ford Division Donates $1.5 Million for New Mustang Museum: Orlando, Atlanta Chosen as Finalists for Museum SiteLAS VEGAS, Nov. 1 -- Ford Division announced the donation of $1.5 million dollars to the Mustang Museum, Inc. at the Bright Light City Cruise in Las Vegas today. The money will be used to help fund a development program to raise money to build the museum. "Ford Division is excited about making this investment in the Mustang brand," said Ford Division President Jim O'Connor. "The Mustang Museum will be a living testimonial to the legacy of one of the greatest brands in automotive history, and will help keep Mustang vibrant with future generations of car lovers." Mustang Museum At the event, Mustang Museum President Bill Dillard announced that Orlando and Atlanta have been chosen as finalists for the museum site. Initially, 25 metro areas in the United States were identified as potential sites. The drive to create a Mustang Museum developed from the passion generated by the legendary pony car. "With 429 Mustang clubs worldwide, and 70,000 Mustang Club members there is an intense desire to build a lasting tribute to the car and the people who love it," said Dillard. The Museum also has wide-spread business support, since an entire industry has evolved around restoring and modifying Mustangs. Mustang Club volunteers and business people came together three years ago and created a non-profit organization. The Museum will be called "The Mustang Experience ... An Interactive Museum." The Museum is a non-profit organization. Organizers envision creating the world's most interactive automotive museum. The Museum will be a 100,000 square foot building with an amphitheater and parade grounds. More than 100 vehicles will be on display. Mustang's storied history will be maintained in a computer-based archive, and the Museum will bring Mustang to life in an IMAX-type theater. Las Vegas Events Thousands of Mustang lovers poured into the entertainment Mecca to participate in the BRIGHT LIGHT CITY CRUISE held Sunday, November 1. More than 350 classic and contemporary Mustangs cruised from the Excalibur Hotel to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in front of thousands of enthusiastic Mustang fans from 16 states. Mustang Legacy Continues With New 1999 Edition Few products have gripped the American public like the Ford Mustang. Introduced in 1964, Ford has sold more than seven million Mustangs. Mustang has dominated its segment of the car industry, ranking number one in sales the past 12 years. The redesigned 1999 model has received rave reviews from Mustang enthusiasts, and there's no mistaking the car's heritage in its looks, concept and spirit. The 1999 Mustang's shape draws equally from the knife-edge lines of the original Mustang and taut New-Edge design. No detail is too small for Mustang lovers, who have noticed that the signature galloping chrome pony centered on the grille is once again circled by a chrome "corral" band, as it was on the original. The 1999 Mustang also offers increased horsepower, with split-port induction 3.8 L V-6 engine getting a boost of 40 horsepower. It is now rated at 190 hp, while the Mustang GT's 4.6L SOHC V-8 boasts an increase of 35 horsepower, now rated at 260 hp. For the first time, Mustang offers an all-speed traction control system. This is a real asset for Mustang lovers in colder climes, who will appreciate the enhanced control on icy and wet surfaces.