April 30 was the 32 annual Fabulous Fords Forever Show in Buena Park. Nearly 2000 cars were there from beautiful restorations to survivors to customs. It ran the gamut and there was surely something for everyone.
One real standout was a wonderfully restored 1964 Country Squire that I picked as this blogs Best of Show. IT was kept original, lovingly taken care of by a man who's mother owned the car when he was a kid. The glass is all original and it even had the stickers from places they visited with the car on cross country road trips.
Another beautiful car was the Best of Show survivor...a time capsule of opulence from a time gone by, unmolested and showing its patina of age. A 1972 Lincoln Mark IV
New this year was a boat load of hot hatches represented by the Fiesta ST, Focus ST and Focus RS. One in particular jumped out as best Modern Custom of the Show was a 2016 Focus RS given a screaming yellow paint job with full scissor doors and really wicked multi-color LED surround around the headlamps.
All pics are by me, there is more in a Flickr Album.
Set your clocks to get up and on the road early to Buena Park, across from Knott's Berry Farm for the 32nd Annual Fabulous Fords Forever. This show happens to be the largest single manufacturer show on the west coast. With close to 2000...TWO THOUSAND Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Edsel and the odd foreign Ford product tossed in for good measure. I haven't missed a one in years.
Details....Sunday April 30 2017 from 10AM to 3PM. This show is well attended and the brand is well represented. More information on their web site HERE. MAP HERE.
As always there will be celebrities and show cars including a tease of the 2018 Mustang due out this fall.
CELEBRITIES -
Sebastien Bourdais: The star French driver who co-drove the winning Ford GT in the 2016 Le Mans 20 Hours and this year's Daytona 24 Hours! Sebastien will be joining us fresh from his appearance in the Phoenix Grand Prix IndyCar race on April 29th!
Camilo Pardo: who was tapped by Ford Motor Company as Chief Designer for the Ford GT and the SVT Studio to design the 2005 and 2006 production Ford GT
Donald Farr: a noted Mustang authority with is new book "Ford Mustang: America's Original Pony Car"
Tom Loeser: celebrated auto photographer with is exquisite book featuring his photos and text by Donald Far "Art of the Mustang"
Donald and Tom will have their books available at the show for purchase and in-person autograph signing.
Linda Vaughn and Rob Kinnan: promoting their book "Linda Vaughn, the First Lady of Motorsports"
Steve Saleen: Who's legendary Saleen vehicles including the Saleen S7 and Saleen Mustang have a huge fan base
Donny Caccamise and Tom Spence: Host the national Horsepower for an Hour radio show and will be on stage throughout the day
SPECIAL CARS ON DISPLAY -
2017 Ford GT race car
2005 Ford GT owned by Camilo Pardo
2018 Ford Mustang
Of course there are ample pics from prior shows to whet your appetite for this years event. You can find hundreds of images from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 in flickr albums of mine.
The first ever Lincoln Experience Center opens at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Yes, of all the places the first could be, Lincoln chose tony, wealthy Newport Beach here in Sunny So Cal as the place to start it all.
What is the Lincoln Experience Center? Its luxury in its purest form from Center Stage events with wine and artisanal cheese paired by a master wine tasters, live sculpting, tactile story boards. Connectivity centers and Custom fitting for the Lincoln that best suits your lifestyle. Quiet luxury abounds furthering the brands efforts to be a solid player in the upscale luxury market.
There's even a Lincoln cafe' with complimentary espresso, coffee and tea to set the tone for a relaxing visit learning about Lincoln. Date nights, extended test drives with a Lincoln that best suits you can be arranged over a cup-o-coffee with a concierge near you. Does this get anymore extravagant? Visit it yourself and see.
The Lincoln Experience Center is open now at Fashion Island. 139 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660,
The annual Fabulous Fords Forever car show took place in Buena Park across from Knott's Berry Farm on April 17, 2016. The show was back with well over 2000 Ford, Edsel, Mercury and Lincoln cars in all states of repair and customization. This video is a highlighted overview of the cars that caught my attention including one that so blew me a way I named it best of show.
The most amazing custom was the 1962? Thunderbird Lowrider that I named it "Best of Show. From hits firemist red and orange glow metallic paint job to the artful lowering this car stood out amongst them all at this years show.
My most favorite single manufacturer show is Fabulous Ford's Forever. Where else will I find at least one example of a fine, and I mean FINE 1969 Mercury Marauder XL than at this show? This show in years past has easily held 2000+ cars with the Mustang dominating the show.
This years show is set for Sunday April 17, 2016 from 10-6 across the street from Knott's Berry Farm in lovely Buena Park, CA. Of course I'll be there with a press pass in town documenting all the fun.
In 2012 Mark Fields at NAIAS, aka Detroit Auto Show promised a slew of new vehicles building a whole new Lincoln Motor Company with unique product, unique power trains and several new vehicles over the next four years. Tuesday 1/12/2016 the Lincoln Motor Company unveiled its production ready Continental which promises to deliver the final punch closing the loop on that bold prediction.
What exactly is the Continental? Size wise it appears to be about the same size as the all new Caddy CT6 slotting right in the middle of traditional mid size and full size luxury cars. It doesn't offer a lot in the way of power train options, but with a 400 hp twin turbo V6 as standard what more could you want? Add in standard all wheel drive and this will be a capable car able to run with the best in their class. Bold prediction...more classic styling and devotion to pure luxury will put this car on a lot of buyers maps and be chosen over the CT6.
What I really like about the new Continental is that it has many cues that remind you of the last great Continental sedan of the early 60s. The new grill with the cutouts that mimic the Lincoln logo are a nice touch. Add in all the technology and pure luxury touches this car will run with the best of them. No one can dare call this one a rehashed Ford product as it is pure Lincoln, Pure quiet, competent luxury.
But hey, don't take my word for how cool this car is in person, the Detroit Free Press named this car the most important new car reveal at this year NAIAS.
More about the Lincoln Continental after the jump from their press release:
Lincoln took the wraps off its production ready Continental due this fall I. Show rooms. Full video of the remarkable features and powertrain coming when I return to L.A.
Teaser. Twin Turbo 3.0l V6 putting down 400 horsepower.
Complete photos from my time at NAIAS courtesy Ford Motor Company can be found in a flickr album.
Lincoln Continental Concept at Los Angeles Auto Show
Rumors abound on what will be revealed next week at press days for NAIAS aka Detroit Auto Show. I'll summarize here a few of what I've been able to gather from official manufacturers news and snippets from reliable sources.
Lincoln. Production ready Continental will be revealed along with details on the cars features including Black Label top of the line trim. Expected the twin turbo 3.0V6 generating 400 horsepower to be the talk of the town.
Buick. Envision concept is definitely to be revealed along with a hinted at Verano replacement possibly a Buickized Opel Astra hatch.
Audi. I love my A4, its been all but confirmed next generation A4 will be revealed here. I'll be curious to see how far upmarket they bring it and if they will have a true "M" fighter in the mix.
Acura. I love this underdog. Great cars, ugly grills that keep them from hitting the mainstream luxury market hard. It may change with the reveal of their "precise" concept with entirely new body language for the brand.
Ford. We get to see the redesigned 2017 Fusion. What else remains to be seen. Pure speculation, rumor mills in the tech industry swear Ford and Google went to bed together for the autonomous car so its possible it will be confirmed here since no one has denied it publicly from either camp. That would be the coup to swipe every ones thunder this year at NAIAS like the reveal of the GT at last years show did. Pure speculation...so don't quote me.
Mercedes Benz. Their deluxe mid-size E class is to be revealed during a press conference on Monday.
Honda. I could snark but they are set to reveal their pickup truck based on their capable minivan. Look for Ridgeline to be their big reveal. Rumor has it they'll tease us further with a hot hatch turbo motorized Civic there as well.
Chrysler. The minivan inventor promises to reveal their best minivan ever at this show. Will it be good enough feature wise to take on the heavy hitters from Toyota/Honda and even Kia remains to be seen. I really want them to succeed with this launch.
Watch my flickr album for blogging on the fly recap of NAIAS next week. All I shoot at the show will be uploaded Weds 1/13/16. Stay tuned for more thorough write ups when I return.
Complete photos from my time at NAIAS courtesy Ford Motor Company can be found in a flickr album.
Lincoln was the big surprise at the Los Angeles Auto Show...the video explains it all. I have to give Lincoln a nod for the bold directions they have taken in the last year. With the Detroit launch of MKX, New York for the Continental Concept and now us with the MKZ they have mapped out a path clearly stating what they are doing. They call it quiet luxury, I call it a huge step forward to differentiate themselves for the Ford family with which they share a few platforms. Unlike Caddy that slowly evolved into the powerhouse they are today, Lincoln isn't taking the slow ramp but diving into the production of true luxury vehicles without chasing anyone in particular, They will be the classic American luxury car with all the tech and what they call "Quiet Luxury" that buyer wants.
The MKZ really is changed in profile from the current model though it shares many of the same parts. The decklid has a bigger more pronounced spoiler. The entire front clip is new, slightly higher and with the "new face of Lincoln" introduced on the Continental Concept. Gone is the split wing design they've toyed with and replacing it is a classic shaped grill inlet with the new cover. A big departure and very elegant.
The really big news is the addition of what they call "Smart All Wheel Drive" that adapts to driving style. This is coupled with a new and unique to Lincoln 3.0l twin turbo V6 putting out 400 horsepower and 400 ft lbs of torque. This single change elevates the MKZ over its similar flatform mate at Ford and makes it contender in the Mid-sized Luxury segment in my not so humble opinion
Technology abounds in this car as they explain in the video. Some unique to Lincoln, some common to all of Fords products such as Sync 3 customized for Lincoln. Too bad the voice will be the anonymous female, if they swapped it to Matthew McConaughey they'd sell tons more...or so says my wife who says she'd buy Lincoln over the other choices if that option existed.
This model will go on sale summer 2016 as a 2017 model according to a Lincoln rep I spoke with at the L.A. Auto Show last week.
The premiere auto show of So Cal took place this past Sunday. What a show it was. From pristine restorations to meticulous "preservation" class aka survivors this show displayed the best of luxury automobiles of days gone by. Yes, there were a few special interest cars in a class to themselves that contained more basic rides, but the bulk was the luxury tourer or sports car from days gone by.
Every car show has its amazing autos, plebeian autos and just outright stop you in your tracks gorgeous. Its not always a stunning restoration or custom that gets your attention. Sometimes its the absurd taken to the nth degree.
I call it the Mad Max Mustang at this past weekends Fabulous Fords Forever show in Buena Park CA. Its a 1968 Mustang mated to a stretched original bronco frame. Its gun metal grey primer. With a Gatling gun. Can it get any more unique and original? Beats the Disco Pinto by a long shot.
Of course there was a lot of everything among the 1900+ Ford cars and trucks at this show for everyone. The history of Ford from the beginning to customized 2015 Mustangs were on hand. Henry would have been proud of his history put together in one stunning show
This handsomely restored 1973 Pinto Wagon was among many that were not at previous shows. I chose this as my favorite of the lot as the modifications were nominal inside and out. Interesting to see the modifications on this one time economy car. Lots of V8's and 80s era 2.3l turbos under the hood, far more oomph that the little darling was graced with in the beginning. Remember the 1.6l that was standard making all of 70bhp?
Wildly popular and amply represented was the original Bronco. This was a serious off road machine that could climb rocks and mud hollers with the best Jeep could put out back in the day. This example is such a pristine example, I'd be afraid of taking it to a mall out of fear it would get dinged and dented. Nice truck.
There were several Edsels at the show this weekend. This by far was the most beautifully restored example. A Pacer Convertible. If they had left the factory in this condition back in the day...they'd still be in production today. Not a flaw to be found in this car.
1969 Mercury Marauder X100. This was the "it" car for me in high school. It was Mercury Marquis in the front, shortened wheel base to the rear with a fast back roof. Bucket seats, hidden headlamps and real factory "mag" wheels. The crowning glory to this beast was the 429 4 barrel putting out 360hp and a boat load of torque for dramatic tire squeal launches that settled down into a dreamy, if not frightening ride when you left the straight aways and into a sharp corner. I guess that era wasn't all that afterwards.
Lincoln was well represented as you saw in the video. This 1940 Continental with the V12 was one of the prettiest cars at the show. The black paint if you look closely perfectly flawless reflected everything on the horizon. Beautiful restoration, this owner must be proud.
Lincoln Motor Company revealed its all new MKX to a gasp and wow response from the audience. It makes significant changes in style and luxury from the outgoing 2015 Model. Other than a floor pan and one engine nothing is shared with the Ford Edge. That's a big deal as many of the brands detractors denigrate the cars as "warmed over Fords". Not the case here.
The new MKX is full of sensuous flowing curves. There's a subtle rear wing built into the rear hatch. Fender flares on the sides to accommodate the wheels. LED driving lights and rear brake lights/turn signals that follow curves and creases in the body work. Nice integration of the elements. The split wing grill theme continues on the new MKX with horizontal bars versus the waterfall of old.
The interior is full of surprises as well. Two open storage compartments are integrated into the front seat console for easy storage of bulkier items such as purses or clutches.
As if the standard interior isn't pretty enough Lincoln brings 2 different "Black Label" packages to the table for the new MKX. Lincoln Black Label will be available at launch with four designer themes – two of which are all-new. One is inspired by the fashion, lifestyle and art scene of 1920s Paris, while the excitement, passion and pageantry of high-stakes thoroughbred horse racing create the vision for the second new theme. Modern Heritage and Indulgence also will be available on the new Lincoln MKX.
For audiophiles this Lincoln is the first to be equipped with what will be a brand exclusive Revel sound system from Harmon. Uncompromising acoustics and award-winning home theater audio quality comes to the Lincoln MKX through the available Revel audio system.
The Revel Ultima system is standard on Lincoln Black Label editions and available on Reserve models. It features 19 speakers with point source architecture, positioning the tweeter and midrange speakers close together for superior audio quality.
Further performance and refinement is provided by QuantumLogic Surround Sound technology, which offers three listening modes – stereo, audience and on stage; patented Clari-Fi™ technology offering advanced, real-time music reconstruction for all compressed audio sources; and a 20-channel high-voltage hybrid amplifier for class-leading dynamics and optimized transparency.
A 13-speaker Revel system designed for the ultimate audio quality experience is available on the all-new Lincoln MKX Select and Reserve.
The brand also brings to the table some interesting new lighting tricks to the table all in the name of ultimate luxury. When the driver with key fob is within approximately 9 feet, the lower LED daytime running lights gently brighten, while “welcome mat” is projected on the ground from the folded mirrors. Door handles are illuminated, too, tuned to the exterior color.
Interior sequential lighting begins at the footwell, then illuminates the cupholders, pass-through, instrument panel, front door handles, front map pockets and rear doors. The lighting goes off in reverse order.
Key features and optional equipment for the new MKX:
3.7l V6 with 300 hp/280 ft lbs torque. Optional 2.7l V6 Ecoboost with 330hp/370 ft lb torque
both engines mated to a 6 speed automatic with AWD optional
integral link rear suspension, upgrades to the body structure and chassis components, make the new model the best-handling, best-riding and quietest Lincoln MKX ever
Lincoln Drive Control, a suite of ride-enhancing technologies, optimizes performance and offers three distinct modes: Normal, Sport and Comfort
of helpful driver aids and technologies are available, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping system, blind spot information system, cross-traffic alert and a height-adjustable hands-free power liftgate
an ultrasonic sensing system with 12 sensors enabling the full range of available parking-assist features: front rear side sensing, perpendicular and parallel parking assist and park out assist
available 22-way adjustable front seats with active motion help reduce muscle fatigue in the upper legs and lower back through six adjustable air bladders in the cushion and five adjustable air bladders in the lower seat back
built-in connectivity is provided through an available embedded modem. Via a smartphone app that communicates with the vehicle, the available MyLincoln Mobile™ app gives owners the ability to start, lock, unlock and locate their vehicle, as well as schedule a remote start.
The new MKX is a great indication of where the brand is going with its total luxury experience. The features packed in or optionally available will certainly make it class competitive if not a leader in terms of driver satisfaction and support. That the passengers are enveloped in total leather wrapped luxury is just the added bonus. I really hope that this model takes off to encourage Lincoln to continue to produce driver focused luxury autos.
These pictures grabbed on the floor of the Lincoln exhibit really show off a lot of the key design and interior elements of the new MKX. I truly could see myself coddled in this in a cross country run or in the bump and grind traffic of Los Angeles. It has all the right bits to make it a leader in the class. I hope for Lincolns future the buyers out there really like it as well.
As a bit of a disclosure. Ford Motor Company paid for my travel and accomodations to attend the NAIAS this last week in Detroit as one of their "digital influencers". (I need to add that to my CV somehow). All opinions are my own, as if anyone can silence my not so humble opinions.
The video is from 2013 and gives you a great overview of the show and what to expect for 2014. The celebrity's are yet not announced, but they are always big and well respected in the auto world.
With this being the Mustangs 50th anniversary, this years show like last year will have a large contingency of Mustangs in a wide and wild variety of trims to enjoy. My hunch since the next generation 'stang is due to be launched "late this summer" it too will make an appearance at this years show. Just a hunch but a good one.
This year's show is set to take place at Buena Park's Knott's Berry Farm as it has the last several years. The date is April 27, 2014. All the info you could ever want can be found HERE at their web site. If you are looking to show your old Ford, Lincoln, Mercury or Edsel you need to sign up fast as the show is a sell out every year.
