DEARBORN, MI- Ford announces Mustang 50th birthday celebrations schedule of events slated to celebrate the 50thanniversary of the Mustang, which was first unveiled April 17, 1964. The events, including a throwback stunt at the Empire State Building, run from April 10 through May 4 in cities across the U.S. Only one event, a private employee celebration, is scheduled for Michigan. Over the past five decades, more than 9 million Mustangs have been sold. The 2015 Mustang is expected to go into production by mid-2014 at Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan and arrive in U.S. showrooms in the fall. Ford is doing a staggered global release, with the vehicle arriving in global markets, including Europe and Asia, through 2015. U.S. ordering is expected to begin in the summer.
Here's a look at the events with links for more details:
April 10-16 – Mustangs Across America 50th Anniversary Drive Mustangs Across America is organizing a caravan from Los Angeles to Concord, N.C. More than 500 Ford Mustangs are expected to join the drive by the time the caravan reaches the Mustang Club of America celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
April 13-16 – Mustang Club of America Great American Pony Drive Mustang enthusiasts from around the world will gather in Norman, Okla. on April 13 before driving to the dual celebrations organized by the Mustang Club of America. In Norman, attendees will split into two groups, one setting out for Charlotte Motor Speedway, the other heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
April 16-17 – 2015 Ford Mustang at the Empire State Building Ford will celebrate 50 years since the public introduction of Mustang by putting a 2015 model convertible on the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building in New York. The car will be on public display, 1,000 feet above the street, both days from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
April 16-20 – Mustang Club of America 50 Year Celebrations The celebrations are expected to be so large that Mustang Club of America has organized two simultaneous events, at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The events are open to the public and include displays of Mustang from all 50 years, Ford vehicle ride-and-drives, cruises and Mustang history sessions.
April 17 – 2015 Ford Mustang at Flushing Meadows, N.Y. The original Mustang was first shown to the world at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Ford will go back to the fair site at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a small gathering of local Mustang club members and the all-new 2015 Mustang.
April 17 – Ford Employee Celebration Ford Motor Company will host an employee celebration of Mustang at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., 50 years to the day of the Mustang introduction. This event is only open to Ford employees and is a private event.
April 27 – Fabulous Fords Forever Car Show at Knott's Berry Farm The Ford Car Club Council will host the Fabulous Fords Forever car show at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.
May 3-4 – Mustang Madness at Petersen Museum The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles will celebrate 50 years of Mustang with special events including a car show and guests including champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr.
