Mustang Mania Descends On Christchurch

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By Ben Selby

If you love all things Mustang and happened to be in Canterbury over Labour Day Weekend, then you were in a for a treat, as 200 Ford Mustang’s from all eras descended on Christchurch Arena for the annual 2020 National Mustang Convention.

The New Zealand National Mustang Convention occurs every year at a different location around NZ, with the local Ford Mustang owners club taking the reigns to make it happen.

For 2020, the Canterbury Ford Mustang Owners Club brought the Convention to Christchurch, and Mustang owners from throughout New Zealand followed, providing Canterbury locals with the chance to get up close to some of the best Mustang’s in New Zealand.

First up on display was some of the biggest guns from the Mustang hall of fame, the Shelby Mustangs. Carroll Shelby’s legacy of involvement with Lee Iaccoca’s pony car was beautifully represented.

A simply stunning 1966 GT350H, 1967 GT500, 1968 GT350 and 1970 GT500 represented the classic era while the Carrol Shelby involved 2009 GT500KR, GT350, 2012 GT500 Super Snake and latest 770hp GT500 brough the Shelby Mustang into the modern day.

Next up was a real surprise. Nothing less than an amazing collection of Bullitt edition Mustangs. These four Steve McQueen tribute cars were provided by Bullitt Mustang Weddings. The name means exactly what it says, you can hire your own Bullitt Mustang as your wedding car!

The display was headed by a superb recreation of Steve McQueen’s 1968 GT 390 Fastback, right down to the aftermarket three spoke nardi steering wheel, American racing alloys, highland green paint and racing shift lever. Steve McQueen himself was even on hand, though he didn’t have much to say.

Next to that was the latest 2018 Mustang Bullitt and 2003 and 2008 versions of the car. Very very cool.

Heading out of the foyer and into the arena itself, the sight was pure Mustang mecca. This writer cannot remember ever seeing this number of Mustang’s in one place before. Everything from the original 1964 1/2 Mustang Notchback in white, right up to the latest Roush and RTR tuned examples of today.

Lovers of the Mustang’s muscle car era were also catered for, with stunning examples of 1969 Mach 1 and 1970 BOSS 302’s in attendance, looking absolutely stunning too.

While some examples were just as they left the factory, some show car examples and Restomod cars attracted plenty of green eyed stares.

A couple of red Fox Body Mustang’s and an absolutely mint and rare Mustang II Cobra completed a stunning set. Convention sponsors STAR Insurance and The Sound Radio station also had their stalls selling merchandise, while sponsors Team Hutchinson Ford showcased the current Mustang range.

With thousands of classic car fanatics making their way through the doors of Christchurch arena, it gives one further conviction of why the Ford Mustang is one of the most loved of all classic cars.

A sales phenomenon back in 1964, and today, thanks to the Canterbury Mustang Owners Club and this years National Mustang Convention, the dream car for generations of petrol heads, both in Canterbury and beyond.

Those based in the Bay of Plenty in 2021 better be ready for Mustang Mania for next years Mustang’s at the Mount Convention.