Mustang Mania:
Antiques on the Bay June 17, 18 in St. Ignace
9th Annual Vintage Car Show Planned; Then St. Ignace Car Show Set for June 25
By Stephen Underwood

This early 1964-1/2 Mustang was used as an Indianapolis 500 pace car. It is owned by Marty Mieras of Grand Rapids.

Mustang enthusiasts will be in heaven Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, as the Ninth Annual Antiques on the Bay Vintage Car and Truck Show, the first of four 2005 events from Nostalgia Productions, motors into St. Ignace.

Original Ford Mustangs from 1980 and older will be the featured vehicles for the show. Two in particular stand out, said show organizer Ed Reavie, including a one-of-a-kind “Western” Mustang II owned by Howard Delorme of Young Harris, Georgia. The car is the only survivor of prototypes developed in 1976 that never made it to the assembly line. The other is a 1964-1/2 Indianapolis 500 pace car, owned by Marty Mieras of Grand Rapids.

The “Western”Mustang II, owned by Howard DeLorme of Young Harris, Georgia, is a unique prototype from 1976 that never saw a showroom floor.

“Many Carroll Shelby-inspired versions will also be on display,” said Mr. Reavie, “along with Mustang toys, artwork, and other related products.”

Some of the memorabilia featured will come from the daughter of deceased designer Phil Clark, who created the Mustang logo used on the grill of almost the entire run of the Pony car. Daughter Holly Clark, of Rusk, Texas, will not be able to attend the show, but is sending historical items related to the car.

Registration for participants in the show is Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce. At 4:30 p.m., the Mackinac Bridge Rally will begin, with cars starting at the Welcome Center on South Nicolet Street in Mackinaw City, and finishing at the Best Western Harbour Pointe on North State Street in St. Ignace at about 5:15 p.m.

From there will be a parade of vehicles to the Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care facility for a special showing. “The residents love to watch the cars go by,” said Mr. Reavie. “We’ve done this for the last four or five years. They wheel the folks out to see us.”

Saturday’s display and judging will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Ignace Marina (vehicles may be spread out to the Mackinac Grille and Star Line Dock). Fans, which can attend the show free of charge, will see national award-winning cars on display, rare body styles, concept vehicles, automotive art, and Mustang history.

Additional registration takes place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Brewbaker Trailer at the marina.

Awards will be handed out at a ceremony at St. Ignace Middle School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Top 20 overall awards will be presented by Hagerty Insurance, with other awards from Nostalgia Productions.

Mustang Class awards, presented by Mackinac Sales, will include Open and Closed for 1964-1/2 to 1973, then Closed for 1974 to 1980. Special awards will go to Mustang Original (unrestored only) overall, and Best of Show Overall (restored and unrestored), with the former winning a two-night stay at the Best Western Harbour Pointe of St. Ignace, and the latter a two-night stay at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Special guests at the dinner will include Bob Stevens of Car and Parts Magazine and noted Chevrolet historian Pinky Randall. Antique Automobile Magazine will do a post-show review. Nostalgic artwork will be displayed from Horsepower Fine Arts, Detroit Muscle, and U-Coat-It.