MAA/MCA 2009 Opening Ceremonies - Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Alabama, April 16-19, 2009

Mustangs Across America 2009, The Mustang Club of America, and Ford Motor Company opening ceremonies were held at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama at noon on Friday, April 17, 2009 to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang. April 17, 2009 was the official 45th birthday of the Ford Mustang with the first Mustang to roll off the assembly line, a Wimbledon white convertible, on display on the lower level of the Barber Museum, along with the original Mustang concept car that was used to showcase the design of the new Mustang. The Mustang was first produced on March 9, 1964 and officially unveiled at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964 (hence its birthday) where visitors could ride one of twelve Wimbledon white convertibles (sans engines and transmissions) through Ford's Wonder Rotunda exhibit covering the earth's history from the dinosaurs to the City of Tomorrow. Opening ceremonies were held outside the exquisite and world-class Barber Motorsports Museum holding the largest private collection of motorcycles and Lotus racing cars in the world - a museum noteworthy not only for its collection but its stunning architecture and design. It is, in one word, awesome, awe-inspiring and if you are lucky and your timing is just right, you just might catch George Barber taking one of his motorcycles or vintage automobiles out for a spin on the track! This museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in historical collections of things motorized and mechanical. Motorcycles, thousands of them in perfect, start-and-run condition, cars, race cars, trucks, outboard motors and the list goes on. Opening remarks were given by Steve Prewitt, MCA Executive Director, 45th Mustang Anniversary Celebration, and Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally, flanked by a red and blue 2010 Mustang fastback on either side of the podium. Out in front of the speakers and gathered attendees, in a circle, were nine 1964 1/2 Mustangs still owned and driven by their original owners. A proud group of owners of one of the finest automobiles ever produced, one that forever changed the way we think about, make and enjoy the cars of today.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Ford Motor Company
• Ford Mustang
• Ford CEO Alan Mulally
• Barber Motorsports Park
• Birmingham
• Alabama