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Event: NPD Ford & Mustang Roundup 2016

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By EditorTurner

Event: NPD Ford & Mustang Roundup 2016

Variety Show

National Parts Depot starts the show season in style with its annual event

By Steve Turner

In Florida there’s no waiting around for it to stop snowing before you can bring your car out. There’s no salt on the roads, and there’s always a good chance for sunshine. There is also a chance for just about any kind of weather in January. It’s usually cool and dry, but over the course of the 22 Ford & Mustang Roundups hosted by National Parts Depot, there has been everything from snow to sunshine. This year the forecast was iffy, but that didn’t dissuade the owners of over 600 Ford vehicles from heading to Silver Springs State Park.

Despite an ominous forecast, the NPD show attracted over 600 Fords of all shapes and sizes to Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, Florida.
Despite an ominous forecast, the NPD show attracted over 600 Fords of all shapes and sizes to Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, Florida.

The NPD show is essentially a nice thank you from the company to its loyal customers. They don’t turn a big profit from the show as 1993 and older cars are free if they register in advance, and the newer cars only have to pay $10 to register for the show. The money goes to the park to secure the facility, and everyone simply shows up to have a low-key good time.

Because the park shifted from a private facility to a state park, the available space for the show constricted a bit. That made the number of cars more manageable and allowed for a switch to a one-day format. The day before the show, NPD hosts tours of its facilities, a cruise to Cedar Key and back, and a our friends a VMP Performance are on hand with a portable chassis dyno, so having those facets and a one-day show gives attendees Sunday to drive home or recover.

NPD offered a 10-percent discount to show attendees and the company teased its forthcoming 2016 Catalog that covers 1979 through 1998 Mustangs.
NPD offered a 10-percent discount to show attendees and the company teased its forthcoming 2016 Catalog that covers 1979 through 1998 Mustangs.

From the looks of it, the one-day show was a resounding success in spite of the aforementioned forecast. Not only were the full range of Mustang represented from the classics to the newest S550s, but we were impressed by the mix of other Ford vehicles at this year’s show as well, which made our selection of an Editor’s Choice Award from the attendees an enjoyable challenge.

We looked at every car on every aisle before deciding, and in the process we took a few photos, so keep reading to see what we saw. As you’ll see it’s a great show to attend, so if you’ll be in Florida next January, make sure to put the 23rd Annual Ford & Mustang Roundup on your automotive itinerary.

Your author had the great honor of choosing a SVTPerformance.com Editor’s Choice award at this year’s show. It was a tough task picking just one, and we combed every aisle of cars before deciding. Ultimately it was an SN-95 SVT that got the nod. Daryl Falcone’s gorgeous, Chrome Yellow 1998 Mustang Cobra earned our honor, as it looked like a nicer version of your scribe’s own centrifugally blown Cobra.
Your author had the great honor of choosing a SVTPerformance.com Editor’s Choice award at this year’s show. It was a tough task picking just one, and we combed every aisle of cars before deciding. Ultimately it was an SN-95 SVT that got the nod. Daryl Falcone’s gorgeous, Chrome Yellow 1998 Mustang Cobra earned our honor, as it looked like a nicer version of your scribe’s former centrifugally blown Cobra.
There were a wide variety of Fords at the show, but most were cars. This 2002 Lightning grabbed our attention thanks to the presence of a Whipple supercharger. Apparently one power adder isn’t enough for owner Mike Lagana of Palm Coast, Florida, as his truck is also equipped with a nitrous kit, just in case…
There were a wide variety of Fords at the show, but most were cars. This 2002 Lightning grabbed our attention thanks to the presence of a Whipple supercharger. Apparently one power adder isn’t enough for owner Mike Lagana of Palm Coast, Florida, as his truck is also equipped with a nitrous kit, just in case…
We did a double take on this one. Mike Hill of Sumpter, South Carolina, made this 2008 Ford Mustang look like a Shelby GT500. From the outside it was a convincing conversion. Mike was marketing the car as a GT500 for 1/5 the price, but it doesn’t have a GT500 drivetrain.
We did a double take on this one. Mike Hill of Sumpter, South Carolina, made this 2008 Ford Mustang look like a Shelby GT500. From the outside it was a convincing conversion. Mike was marketing the car as a GT500 for 1/5 the price, but it doesn’t have a GT500 drivetrain.
A select group of manufacturers that sell their products through NPD make the trip out to interface with customers at the show. Chadwick’s Triple Play, Heacock Classic Insurance, the Mustang Club of America, Royal Purple, and TMI Products were all on hand. We stopped by the TMI both to check out the new Pro Viper Race Seats. Mmmm, carbon fiber…
A select group of manufacturers that sell their products through NPD make the trip out to interface with customers at the show. Chadwick’s Triple Play, Heacock Classic Insurance, the Mustang Club of America, Royal Purple, and TMI Products were all on hand. We stopped by the TMI booth to check out the new Pro Viper Race Seats.
It was the magazine on the seat of the 1995 Mustang Cobra R owned by Josh Klugger of Orlando, Florida, that gave this writer a burst of euphoric nostalgia. My first media drive was the ’95 Cobra R and I was lucky enough to drive one of the cars for a week after the event. That story is documented in a huge story in Super Ford. Josh had that issue on his seat and it brought a lot of great memories rushing back. The Cobra R was a milestone car, and Josh’s example is in great shape.
It was the magazine on the seat of the 1995 Mustang Cobra R owned by Josh Klugger of Orlando, Florida, that gave this writer a burst of euphoric nostalgia. My first media drive was the ’95 Cobra R and I was lucky enough to drive one of the cars for a week after the event. That story is documented in a huge story in Super Ford. Josh had that issue on his seat and it brought a lot of great memories rushing back. The Cobra R was a milestone car, and Josh’s example is in great shape.
Though the Shelby GT350 has been available for sale since last year, the only example at the show was VMP Tuning’s Avalanche Gray car. Main main Justin Starkey has just started tweaking this car and we will bring you more information on its mods right here on the Front Page.
Though the Shelby GT350 has been available for sale since last year, the only example at the show was VMP Performance’s Avalanche Gray car. Main man Justin Starkey has just started tweaking this car and we will bring you more information on its mods right here on the Front Page.
One of the coolest cars at the show was the teenage dream of Jason Graf of Callahan, Florida, come to life thanks to a father/son project. The two men transformed this 1966 Mustang with a donor 1997 Cobra that added its floor, firewall, suspension, brakes and, of course, engine to the vintage ’Stang.
One of the coolest cars at the show was the teenage dream of Jason Graf of Callahan, Florida, come to life thanks to a father/son project. The two men transformed this 1966 Mustang with a donor 1997 Cobra that added its floor, firewall, suspension, brakes and, of course, engine to the vintage ’Stang.
If you grew up with them, there’s nothing quite like a clean Fox, and Brian Bohnsack of Spring Hill, Florida, definitely had a prime example at the show. His 1992 Mustang GT rolls on 10th Anniversary Cobra-style wheels and the push rod 5.0 breathes deeper through the legendary GT-40 tubular intake.
If you grew up with them, there’s nothing quite like a clean Fox, and Brian Bohnsack of Spring Hill, Florida, definitely had a prime example at the show. His 1992 Mustang GT rolls on 10th Anniversary Cobra-style wheels and the push rod 5.0 breathes deeper through the legendary GT-40 tubular intake.
Blending modern power with classic lines was the 1966 Cobra Daytona replica owned by Richard Brandl Sr of Hudson, Florida. This sleek right is powered by a centrifugally supercharger, intercooled Four-Valve modular. It looked like it would be an absolute blast to drive.
Blending modern power with classic lines was the 1966 Cobra Daytona replica owned by Richard Brandl Sr of Hudson, Florida. This sleek ride is powered by a centrifugally supercharged, intercooled Four-Valve modular. It looked like it would be an absolute blast to drive.

NPD Ford & Mustang Roundup 2016 Gallery

NPD Ford & Mustang Roundup Car Show Winners

Balloted Awards
  • 1964-1/2 to 1966 Mustang: James Graf, 1966 Mustang
  • 1967 to 1968 Mustang: Peter Van Roo, 1967 Mustang GT
  • 1969 to 1970 Mustang: Mark Booker, 1970 Mustang Grabber
  • 1971 to 1973 Mustang: Bob Chrisman, 1971 Mustang Mach 1
  • 1974 to 1986 Mustang: Dean George, 1976 Mustang II Cobra
  • 1987 to 1993 Mustang: Wade Smith, 1993 Mustang
  • 1994 to 1998 Mustang: Brian & Christie Erickson, 1997 Mustang Cobra Shinoda
  • 1999 to 2004 Mustang: Bryon Patrick, 2003 Mustang Mach 1
  • 2005 to 2009 Mustang: Charlie Telesca, 2009 Mustang Bullitt
  • 2010 to 2014 Mustang: Will Mamo, 2014 Mustang GT convertible
  • 2015-Present Mustang: Tina Emerson, 2016 Mustang GT convertible
  • 1965 to 1970 Shelby: Terry Obryant, 1969 Shelby GT350
  • 2006-up Shelby: Jamie Marrero, 2010 Shelby GT500
  • Saleen/Roush: Joe Downs, 2005 Saleen convertible
  • Falcon/Comet: Blevins Hensley, 1965 Comet Cyclone
  • Exotic/Pantera: Tom Bennett, 1972 DeTomaso Pantera
  • Cobra Replica: Richard G Brandl Sr, 1966 Cobra Daytona Coupe
  • 1948-Earlier Ford: Bill Henry, 1941 Willys Coupe
  • 1949-Later Ford: Thomas Hinote, 1957 Ford Del Rio wagon
  • 1962-1976 Intermediate: Mark Fiscaletti, 1976 Torino
  • Street Rod: John & Sandy Dunham, 1997 Monster Miata
  • Truck 1948-1979: Jerry Goodman, 1976 F-100
  • Truck 1980-Present: Steve Marbais, 1980 F-100
  • T-Bird 1955-1957: Johnny Swilley, 1956 T-Bird convertible
  • T-Bird 1958-Present: Albert Sztejter, 1964 T-Bird
  • Cougar: Jim & Lynne Stickley, 1969 Cougar Eliminator
  • Maverick/Comet: Chip Crenshaw, 1974 Mercury Comet
  • Best Mustang: Dave Miller, 1969 Mustang Boss 429
  • Best Ford: Larry Long, 1957 Fairlane 500
  • Best of Show: Bill Henry, 1941 Willys Coupe
  • Hard Luck and Furthest Drive
  • Hard Luck: Phil Elder, ’70 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
  • Furthest Drive: Donald Cobin, from Massachusetts (1,530 miles)
Vendor Awards
  • Auto Resto Mod Just Dig It Award: Ron Kirk, 1971 Torino Cobra
  • Chadwick’s Triple Play Chadwick’s Choice Award: Willis Vermilya, 1968 Mustang convertible
  • Eaton Detroit Spring: Just Because Award: Ron Lamoly, 1965 Galaxie Custom
  • Heacock Classic Insurance Best Preservation Award
  • Ford: Ron Kirk, 1971 Torino Cobra
  • Mustang/Cougar: Chester Speed, 1971 Mustang Mach 1
  • Royal Purple: Five show participants get a case of synthetic oil of choice
  • Scott Drake: John Lazo, 1965 Mustang fastback
  • TMI Interiors: Ronnie Dasher, 1969 Mustang Mach 1
  • SVTPerformance.com Editor’s Choice Award: Daryl Falcone, 1998 Mustang Cobra
NPD Choice Awards
  • Best Mustang: Phil Florio, 1964-1/2 Mustang K-code
  • Best Ford: Thomas Hinote, 1957 Ford Del Rio wagon

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