From Shelbys to Vics, yearly Mustang, all-Ford show drew satisfying turnout in North Charleston

By JIM PARKER

The Post and Courier

A standout at the Mustang & All Ford Show was a 2013 Boss 302. Not only was the pony car new, it had a distinctive color, “Gotta Have it Green.”

Seriously.

The North Charleston event, in its 18th year, brought a sizable crowd Nov. 3 on a warm mostly clear day.

“We had a good turnout,” said Ken Brinkman, who is Mustang Club of America regional director and a member of show organizer Low Country Mustang Club. The official count was 85 cars and trucks. “We had clubs from Myrtle Beach, Asheville, Savannah, Columbia and Augusta,” he said.

The show, which as its name suggests brought out many Mustangs and various non-pony Fords and other brands by the automaker including an Edsel, was held for the fourth time at Carolina Ice Palace near Northwoods Mall. “They are very accommodating,” he said.

In a twist, the volume of early model Mustangs including the late 1960s and early ’70s, as well as Ford Thunderbirds, Crown Victorias and Galaxies from the ’50s and early ’60s was higher than in past years, while counts of newer editions leveled off.

“We had probably just as many old cars show up as new cars,” he said.

Duane Helzer, club president, was pleased with the showing, noting that the club likely raised $2,500 for its charity “Camp Breath Easy.”

He likewise saw a resurgence of the early Mustangs. “We had equal amounts older and newer,” he said. The hobby overall has moved toward the more modern cars of the 1990s through today. “It’s so easy to go out and buy one,” he said.

At the same time, there were some top notch newer models on hand. Brinkman’s wife Sherry Brinkman showed off a 2008 Mustang Roush Speedster.

She traveled to Charlotte to purchase the 435-horsepower limited edition convertible. “The car was No. 33 (to be built),” and has the figure stamped under the hood.

“I love it,” she says. “This is my baby.”

For more information, visit www.lowcountrymustangclub.com.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.