King of the Castle: Mustangs dazzle

Published Apr 14, 2014

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Cape Town - Whether it is the rumbling of its powerful V8 engine or the beauty of its design, one thing is certain: South Africans love a Mustang.

The 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang is being celebrated this month and to commemorate the landmark, Mustangs ranging from the original 1964 model right through to the 2013 version were on display by the Mustang Owners Club of South Africa at the Castle of Good Hope on Sunday. A similar event took place at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg.

A highlight was the appearance of the Ford Shelby GT Super Snake, which is the star of the Need for Speed movie, released this year.

CULT CAR

Club member Richie Richards from Crawford had his red vintage 1969 Coupé on show. Richards said the Mustang had become famous because of its use in movies and its brand as an ultimate muscle car.

“They use it so much in American movies and the iconic sound of the V8 engine is something that is unique to the Mustang brand. It is also just a really powerful car.”

Like many other car enthusiasts, Richards’s interest in fast cars developed when he was a teenager.

“My passion for these cars started when I was in high school and I saw the first Gone in 60 Seconds(1974) movie. I saw the car that was used in that movie and I remember it being a 1973 Mach 1. Since then my interest just grew.”

Most of the visitors who came out to see the majestic cars might not own one, but they appreciate the beauty of the Mustang.

Steven Leibbrandt, 66, of Vergelegen, said: “I found out about the show from a friend and I wanted to come see it because I have a great interest in motor cars, particularly Mustangs. They are very special cars.”

For Zaheera Seedat, 35, from Gordon’s Bay, seeing classic Mustangs in an historic venue was a special treat.

“I love the sporty looks of some, but I prefer the old-school ones. And to have it in such an old venue like the Castle is fitting for the vintage Mustangs.”

Yet there’s some really good news for local ‘Stang fans as the recently launched sixth generation Mustang will be available in South Africa towards the end of 2015.

Cape Argus

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