The Mustangs are on their way, and they will be heard for miles. Ford is throwing a big party in Detroit to celebrate the launch of the seventh-generation Mustang, and that party now includes a full-fledged costume contest to commemorate six decades of pony car fun. You should probably dust off your bell bottoms, mend your acid-washed jeans, and button up your flannel shirt.
Actually, you might want to get started on some period-appropriate attire because the contest winner will receive a free 24-month lease on the all-new Mustang GT. Second place receives an early drive in the new pony, while third place receives a hot lap with a “Ford Performance driver.” It’s unclear if that means an engineer or a professional racing driver from one of Ford’s racing endeavors. In any case, all three prizes seem worthy of raiding thrift shops for an appropriate late 1960s Bullitt turtleneck and sports jacket.
How does one participate in this nonsense? The contest is part of The Stampede, a Ford-planned cruise from Blue Oval headquarters in Dearborn to downtown Detroit on September 14 to celebrate the 2024 Mustang debut. Ford extends an open invitation to Mustang owners to register for the cruise online, though registration is limited to first come, first served. The event starts at 3:00 PM local time, with cars leaving headquarters at 5:30 PM. Arrival at the debut location is scheduled for 6:30 PM, after which people will party until the 8:00 PM debut.
And it’s going to be a big party. Over 1,000 Mustangs have already registered, according to Muscle Cars & Trucks. Ford confirmed the figure to Motor1.com, adding that more information on the logistics of such a cruise – through Detroit rush-hour traffic, no less – would be available soon. A panel of Hour Detroit magazine editors will serve as judges for the costume contest, narrowing the field down to 12 finalists, two representing each of the Mustang’s six decades. There is no mention of a fee for either The Stampede cruise or the costume contest.
