Mustang celebrates 50 years at car day

Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club president and All USA Day organiser Dave Flett said more people are showing interest in classic cars such as his 1964 Mustang. Photo / George Novak

Ford Mustangs, Corvettes and Buicks were among the cars that converged on Wharepai Domain yesterday as part of this year's All USA Day.

But it was the Mustangs that were the focus for Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners Club president and event organiser Dave Flett, whose 1964 Ford Mustang greeted punters at the entrance.

The Mustang celebrated 50 years this year, and the array of various models since 1964 were on show yesterday.

"I was a teenager when this came out," Mr Flett said, of his cobalt blue classic.

"And, as a teenager, you always have a dream car or machine. This was mine.

"It was a teenage dream - but it took me to my 50s before I could reach it."

Mr Flett built his Mustang up from "a bucket of bolts" into mint condition.

"Would I sell it? Never," he said.

"When you build it yourself, it's different. How could I sell it?"

Mr Flett was among a bevy of like-minded people with similar stories at the event, which attracted plenty of interest from car owners and non-car owners.

Car owners were asked to park from 8am before the event opened to the public from 10am. By 8.10am, the domain was "chocka".

Mr Flett said the annual event was popular among other regional car clubs. Clubs travelled from across the North Island, including Auckland and Taranaki, Mr Flett said.

"We do push the family atmosphere. It's not just the bloke and the Mustang. The kids are a big part of it, too."

Mr Flett said there was increasing interest from people who did not necessarily own a classic car. Several people had requested the use of the cars for weddings.

Last year up to 4000 people visited the show.

The club annually makes a donation to a local charity with proceeds from the event. The club will make a donation to Waipuna Hospice this year.