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| NEW YORK CITY APRIL 7,
2004, Bill Collins was invited by Ford Motor Company to display a '68 Shelby
GT350 convertible as part of a Mustang heritage display here at Manhattan
Ford. The event was the official press preview of the 2005 Mustang, held
just prior to the opening of the New York International Auto Show. The Manhattan showroom was transformed into a Mustang wonderland for the evening. Vintage ponycars were arranged in theme areas -- one depicting the original Mustang introduction at the 1964 New York World's Fair, and the next celebrating Mustangs in film in Hollywood. Yet another featured top down convertibles at the beach. Completing the scene was an arena of muscle, populated with the hottest examples from Shelbys of the 1960's to the 2004 Mach I. Bill's red GT350 convertible was prominently featured among its legendary brethren. At center stage was the all new 2005 Mustang GT, joined during the climax of the official program by the 2005 GT-R Super Stang, which made a dramatic nighttime entrance with entertainer Kid Rock riding in the passenger seat. Then it was time to party! The event, attended by over 3000 people, was followed by an "Official 40th Anniversary After Party" hosted by SUEDE magazine. Festivities continued throughout the night, ending around 4AM. The day following, the Manhattan showroom reverted to its usual display of new Ford SUV's, Lincolns and Thunderbirds. Only a few scattered mementos remained, reminiscent, like Cinderella's glass slipper, of the magical night before. |