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Ford Division Donates $1.5 Million for New Mustang Museum

2 November 1998

Ford Division Donates $1.5 Million for New Mustang Museum: Orlando, Atlanta Chosen as Finalists for Museum Site

    LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1 -- Ford Division announced the donation of
$1.5 million dollars to the Mustang Museum, Inc. at the Bright Light City
Cruise in Las Vegas today.  The money will be used to help fund a development
program to raise money to build the museum.  "Ford Division is excited about
making this investment in the Mustang brand," said Ford Division President Jim
O'Connor.  "The Mustang Museum will be a living testimonial to the legacy of
one of the greatest brands in automotive history, and will help keep Mustang
vibrant with future generations of car lovers."

    Mustang Museum
    At the event, Mustang Museum President Bill Dillard announced that Orlando
and Atlanta have been chosen as finalists for the museum site.  Initially, 25
metro areas in the United States were identified as potential sites.  The
drive to create a Mustang Museum developed from the passion generated by the
legendary pony car.  "With 429 Mustang clubs worldwide, and 70,000 Mustang
Club members there is an intense desire to build a lasting tribute to the car
and the people who love it," said Dillard.
    The Museum also has wide-spread business support, since an entire industry
has evolved around restoring and modifying Mustangs.  Mustang Club volunteers
and business people came together three years ago and created a non-profit
organization.
    The Museum will be called "The Mustang Experience ... An Interactive
Museum."  The Museum is a non-profit organization.  Organizers envision
creating the world's most interactive automotive museum.  The Museum will be a
100,000 square foot building with an amphitheater and parade grounds.  More
than 100 vehicles will be on display.  Mustang's storied history will be
maintained in a computer-based archive, and the Museum will bring Mustang to
life in an IMAX-type theater.

    Las Vegas Events
    Thousands of Mustang lovers poured into the entertainment Mecca to
participate in the BRIGHT LIGHT CITY CRUISE held Sunday, November 1.  More
than 350 classic and contemporary Mustangs cruised from the Excalibur Hotel to
the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in front of thousands of enthusiastic Mustang
fans from 16 states.

    Mustang Legacy Continues With New 1999 Edition
    Few products have gripped the American public like the Ford Mustang.
Introduced in 1964, Ford has sold more than seven million Mustangs.
Mustang has dominated its segment of the car industry, ranking number one in
sales the past 12 years.
    The redesigned 1999 model has received rave reviews from Mustang
enthusiasts, and there's no mistaking the car's heritage in its looks, concept
and spirit.  The 1999 Mustang's shape draws equally from the knife-edge lines
of the original Mustang and taut New-Edge design.
    No detail is too small for Mustang lovers, who have noticed that the
signature galloping chrome pony centered on the grille is once again circled
by a chrome "corral" band, as it was on the original.  The 1999 Mustang also
offers increased horsepower, with split-port induction 3.8 L V-6 engine
getting a boost of 40 horsepower.  It is now rated at 190 hp, while the
Mustang GT's 4.6L SOHC V-8 boasts an increase of 35 horsepower, now rated at
260 hp.  For the first time, Mustang offers an all-speed traction control
system.  This is a real asset for Mustang lovers in colder climes, who will
appreciate the enhanced control on icy and wet surfaces.