Letting Pony Cars Run in the Sun in Missoula

If you're of a certain age, this was the year you dragged your dad over to Bell Ford in Missoula, where you started dreaming about owning a Mustang one day.

If you convinced your Dad to buy the new Mustang, it would have probably cost less than $2500. Today, that same stock Mustang would cost anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000. A customized original could set you back $20,000 to $40,000. And If you are lucky enough to find an initial model of the rare "Shelby GT", you'd have to shell out anywhere from $60,000 to six figures to drive your dream.

It might be hard to explain that excitement to your grandkids, but you'll have a chance to show them in person as the Five Valley Ford Club celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Mustang this weekend in Missoula. 

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Garden City Rod Run Returns

This year, the FVFC is paying tribute to the original "pony car", which kickstarted an entire category of a performance car. The Mustang became the only survivor when gas shortages and rising insurance killed off competitors like the Camaro, Challenger, and others in the early 70s.

And today, the Mustang is emerging as the last survivor of the muscle car revival of the past decade. It's morphed into more of a competitor with the Chevy Corvette, with variants that are "200 miles per hour cars."

"It's the survivor of the pony car wars," explains FVFC President Jerry Brenner. "It's a lightweight car and very well built. And the rest is history."

Ten years ago, the 50th-anniversary celebration at Caras Park drew Mustang owners from as far away as Calgary, and Brenner is seeing similar interest this year.

More than Mustangs

But the Garden City River Rod Run is more than Mustangs. Classed as an open show, you'll see those other muscle cars, usually rarities like the "indy brands" like Studebaker and AMC.

"It doesn't matter if it's Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, imports, motorcycles. We've had a few motorcycles here a couple of years ago," Brenner says. "It's open to everything. It's a charity show because the money we raise goes to local charities,"

That includes Watson Children's Shelter and KYSSmas for Kids. And car owners can still register on Saturday morning.