LAS VEGAS – The Ford Mustang, America’s favorite muscle car, is also
the most customized car in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry, and
there will be no shortage of polished-up ponies at this year’s SEMA
(Specialty Equipment Market Association) show, which is being held Nov.
3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“The Mustang is an iconic car,” said Melvin Betancourt, Ford SEMA
design manager. “People always want to reinvent it, and everybody has
an idea about what the next Mustang should be.”
According to Allison Revier, Ford Mustang marketing manager, much of
Mustang’s popularity in the aftermarket is steeped in tradition.
“Many fathers pass down their classic Mustangs to their sons to
restore,” she said. “They form emotional ties to the car and create
special memories.”
But what really drives Mustang’s success is a universally shared
desire among owners to make their steed unique, says Revier. “The
Mustang is a ‘Look at me’ car,” she said. “You don’t want to have the
same Mustang that the guy down the street has. You want to stand apart.”
In an effort to feed customization-hungry pony car enthusiasts, Ford recently launched the 2010 Mustang Customizer at www.the2010Mustang.com,
a Web site offering an online experience that allows people to create
their own virtual Mustangs, choosing colors and decals to complement
the all-new design.
“Since we know the first thing customers do when they buy a Mustang
is customize it, we wanted to show them everything they could do,”
explained Revier. “Some of it is concept – changing colors and stripes
– but the site also gives us a chance to showcase our Genuine Ford
Accessories as well as other aftermarket parts.”
The response has been overwhelming. In just two months, more than 1
million custom Mustangs have been built on the site. “The Mustang
Customizer allows users to get closer to this new product, as well as
connect to the brand in a creative way because they can truly make it
their own,” said Adam Barrow, Ford digital marketing analyst.
“Self-expression is what this brand is about.”
Self-expression is evident with the Mustang project vehicles on
display at this year’s SEMA show, according to Revier. “They all look
dramatically different, and that’s what I think is so great about it,”
she said. “Everyone starts out with the same vehicle, but each
aftermarket builder turns it into something completely distinctive.”
Ernie Bunnell, vice president of sales and marketing for 3dCarbon of
Newport Beach, Calif., says his Mustang is unique because it is a
modern-day version of 3dCarbon’s award-winning 2005 Mustang Boy Racer.
“We are introducing the 2010 Boy Racer – an evolution of styling
from the old to the new,” said Bunnell. “With its bold, aerodynamic
design, this vehicle is sure to turn heads.”
In addition to a 3dCarbon Boy Racer body kit, the red Mustang with
white racing stripes features a front “E” grille, rear window trim,
window louvers with gel decal inserts, headlight splitters and decklid
spoiler – all created by 3dCarbon.
The official motto of Steeda Autosports, “Speed matters,” is most
certainly reflected in the Steeda Mustang that will be on display at
SEMA.
“The Steeda Q350 is embodied with the very soul of Mustang
performance,” said Dario Orlando, president of Steeda Autosports. “It
combines the dynamics and agility of a high-performance sports racer
with the everyday practicality and comfort of America’s original pony
car – all in one integrated package.”
The Steeda Mustang has an array of modifications, including a
functional body kit with unique aerodynamic features, an upgraded
street/track suspension system, numerous powertrain enhancements and a
top-notch sport interior.
Ford Vehicle Personalization also will have a Mustang on display at
SEMA. The vehicle, which features Ford Custom Accessories, sports a
unique Carbon Black Metallic custom-colored exterior accented with
satin gold 20-inch wheels and gold-tinted headlights and fog lamps. The
interior continues the gold theme, with gold leather seat and door trim
inserts, seat piping, steering wheel cover and shifter boot.
“Metallic gold is currently very much in fashion throughout the
design world,” said Mark Conforzi, chief designer, Ford Vehicle
Personalization. “There is a wide variety of modern gold finishes that
can be seen in fashion apparel designs from Stella McCartney, Dior,
Prada and Alexander McQueen. I would like to encourage gold finishes on
our future products, in subtle and technical applications presented in
a modern way.”
The Ford Mustang project vehicles showcased at this year’s SEMA show include:
2010 Ford Mustang by 3dCarbon
The 3dCarbon Mustang is different from all other Mustangs because it is
the true Boy Racer – an award-winning, full-body styling concept that
was originally introduced with the 2005 Mustang body style. 3dCarbon
introduces the 2010 Boy Racer – an evolution of styling from the old to
the new featuring a bold aerodynamic design. The 3d Boy Racer is sure
to turn heads.
2010 Ford Mustang by Galpin Auto Sports
The Mustang GT Convertible is the true American thrill machine, and
that thrill doubles with a Ford Racing 550-horsepower supercharger and
one-of-a-kind custom wide body. This is the car to have – whether you’re out on the road with the top down or in the city for a night on the town.
2010 Ford Mustang by H&R Special Springs
H&R Special Springs has taken a new 2010 Mustang and built a time
machine that is making the future visible now. Working from awesome new
styling cues, H&R brings the future closer; from the personalized
colorized wheels and subtle LED lighting accents on the exterior to the
luxurious white accents inside, custom tuning is the wave.
2010 Ford Mustang by Paul’s High Performance
This 2010 Mustang GT is unmistakably built for the quarter-mile drag
strip, with low elapsed times in mind. From the functional hood to the
rear wing, its aggressive wheels, tires, exhaust and custom-designed
Paul’s High Performance products are all specifically tuned for maximum
performance. Following in the Paul’s High Performance tradition, this
GT screams “Record breaker!” while showing off Mustang’s impressive new
body styling, which is way ahead of the competition.
2010 Ford Mustang by Steeda Autosports
The Steeda Q350 – embodied with the very soul of Mustang performance –
provides a dynamic, super responsive and absolutely confident driving
experience. With more wins, records and championships in
production-based Mustangs than any other specialty manufacturer, the
Steeda Q350 is both track tested and street legal. From the racetrack
to the open road, the Steeda Q series never fails to amaze, combining
the dynamics and agility of a high-performance sports racer with the
everyday practicality and comfort of America’s original pony car – all
in one integrated package.
2010 Ford Mustang by Street Scene Equipment
Street Scene Equipment once again leads the way with race-like styling
for the street, and power, handling and style incorporated into the
perfect package. This Mustang from Street Scene Equipment is sure to
turn heads wherever it goes.
2010 Ford Mustang by Vaughn Gittin Jr.
World championship drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. has introduced a new
generation of Mustang to the world with the Mustang RTR. The extremely
limited-production Mustang RTR-C puts still more muscle behind the
already incredible 2010 Ford Mustang GT. Balancing 550 tire-shredding
American horsepower with new-generation design influences, Vaughn has
incorporated state-of-the-art technology with first-rate carbon fiber
body construction to make the Mustang RTR-C one incredible-looking, raw
performance machine.
2010 Ford Mustang by Ford Vehicle Personalization
Powered by imagination, this Ford Mustang showcases Ford Custom
Accessories. The metallic gold design cues are inspired by such premier
fashion designers as Prada, Stella McCartney and Balenciaga. The
vehicle features unique Carbon Black Metallic exterior custom paint
that is accented by gold 20-inch wheels and gold-tinted headlights and
fog lamps. Inside, the gold theme continues with leather seat and door
trim inserts, steering wheel cover and shifter boot.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide,
the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and
Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor
Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please
visit www.ford.com.
