CAR CLUB OF THE MONTH SUBMISSION GUIDELINES To submit a club for consideration as an upcoming featured Car Club, please send a link to the club’s website (if applicable) and include with the submission the name and location of the club as well as the full first and last name, email address and/or phone number of a club leader or spokesperson who can supply the necessary information and imagery. Submissions may be emailed to [email protected], or mailed in hard-copy or flash-drive form to: Mecum Auctions 445 South Main Street Walworth, WI 53184 ATTN: Mecum Magazine Submission MUSTANG CLUB OF INDIANAPOLIS By Brian Thalhammer When Henry Ford II unveiled the Ford Mustang in April 1964 at the World’s Fair in New York, onlookers were smitten with the car that was appropriately named after the World War II Aviation P-51 Mustang Fighter Bomber. More than 400,000 Mustangs were sold in the first year of production to eager fans of the new “Working man’s Thunderbird,” and as ponies rolled across the assembly line, new owners took it upon themselves to celebrate the iconic automobile by establishing dedicated car clubs. One of these clubs, founded just 14 years after the Mustang’s initial debut, continues to showcase and credit the car that only grows in popularity each passing year. Founded in 1978, the Mustang Club of Indianapolis, Inc. (MCI, originally known as “Indy Mustangs”) was established with the purpose of encouraging the preservation and enjoyment of Ford Mustangs manufactured from 1964 through 1973. When the club was reorganized and renamed to the Mustang Club of Indianapolis, Inc. in 1981, it kept its Mustang focus but pivoted to include Mustangs of all years. With more than 120 members and events designed to provide Mustang owners opportunities to chill, chat and cruise, the MCI is open to all Mustang fans whether or not they own one of the popular and potent ponies. MCI Regional Director Mark Badgley insists that diversity of interests is one of MCI’s main benefits, stating, “We have some die-hard first-generation folks, as well as folks connected to later cars. In a recent tour, the club members visited a collection of many cars, from Fords to Corvettes, Jaguars and Aston Martins. All of the cars drew attention as members could appreciate great cars and not just the Mustangs.” The Mustang Club of Indianapolis became a regional member of the Mustang Club of America in 1987, a move that helped open up more opportunities to the group, including more events and access to additional Mustang-related information. Opportunities and benefits range from an annual swap meet and admission into crucial communication networks, to business discounts, monthly meetups, outings and all of the technical problem-solving support that a classic car owner might need. One of the many great benefits of membership is the club’s “family membership” ideology, which essentially means that each membership is considered a family membership, so the entire family can join in on and benefit from all of the events and perks that the MCI offers. This year, the MCI will host its 43rd annual Race to Indy Mustang and All Ford Show on July 30, 2022, at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Indiana, where participants will have the pleasure of viewing a lineup of intricately detailed Mustangs and their Ford counterparts. While specialty awards will be given to cars of the most refined stature, event participants can expect a multitude of historic automobiles prepared to provide a day full of excitement and camaraderie. Along with offering great events, the MCI seeks to further develop partnerships with local community vendors. “What really draws interest is partners that we can share experiences with and support each other’s long- term goals,” Badgley explained. “We are currently developing an ambassador program that allows folks to click on a QR code within a car cling or vendor poster that will take potential members to our website and allow them to join and see upcoming activities.” 110 // MECUM.COM
