From Auckland’s own Mustang Sally to Southland’s Mustang Stan, more than 300 Mustang lovers have been rolling and roaring into Invercargill in the past few days sporting an impressive line-up of 150 Mustangs from around the country.

It’s the Southern Mustang Club’s turn to host the Annual National Mustang Convention – the 45th, and committee member Tony Forde says members from throughout Otago and Southland have been fundraising and preparing to stage the event for seven years.

This year’s convention celebrates the 60th birthday of the Mustang, first produced in the United States by Ford in 1964. Forde says the first Mustang was seen in New Zealand the following year – 1965.

SMC member and 2020 RTR Fastback owner, Donna, has her orange Mustang beauty all spruced up and ready for show. Photo: Supplied

He says there’s been “quite a convoy” progressively making its way south down State Highway 1 and through Central Otago.

And it’s not just the boys who like to get behind that full throttle. An Auckland woman has driven her black, 1000horsepower Mustang, dubbed ‘Evil’, south, just for the event, her car expected to be quite a drawcard. Forde says even 500horsepower is considered extremely powerful.

While brand new, righthand drive Mustangs arrived in NZ in 2015, Forde says the “true believers” will be sporting their left-hand drive originals.

It’s seven years since Southern club members hosted the event and they’re going all out with a massive Mustang Car Show at the ILT Stadium from 10am until 4pm on Saturday (19 October), which is open to the public for $10 entry.

Ascot Park Hotel will host a social function tomorrow night (Friday, 18 October) and a 1960s-themed Mustang Party on Saturday night, before Sunday’s Mustang Car Run to Holt Park in Otautau for lunch followed by a few laps at Teretonga.

Bill Richardson Transport World is hosting Sunday night’s Gala Dinner Prizegiving Night with judges awarding trophies and prizes across all classes and models throughout the 60 years with a People’s Choice vote going to the favourite car. Immaculate presentation will be key from convertibles to sedans.

Forde says there will be a farewell breakfast on Monday before all 150 cars roll on out of town.

With the club working towards staging this prestigious event since 2017, he says it’s a great thrill to have such a great turnout and to be able to show Mustang lovers from around the country some true southern hospitality.

The club is very grateful for the strong support from sponsors and community funders, which has been a great help in staging the event.