CLUB CORNER

ormed by a 30-strong group of Mustang owners in 1981, the Canterbury Mustang Owners Club (CMOC) today has over 300 members — in fact, the club has just celebrated the recruitment of its 300th member — Mark and Maureen Allan are the proud owners of a new 2017 Mustang fitted with a number of Team Hutchinson Ford–supplied Roush upgrades. CMOC president Garry Jackson commented, “Welcoming Mark and Maureen as our 300th member is a special milestone for our club. From our early beginnings in 1981, the Canterbury Mustang Owners Club has experienced continuous growth, especially in recent times, and it’s not just a result of the new RHD models; we’re continuing to welcome large numbers of owners of classic Mustangs of all years and models, and the mix of new RHDS and legendary earlier models is giving our club a really strong feeling of friendship and shared interest in the Mustang spirit across all of our members. The Mustang community in Canterbury and further afield is certainly strong and growing!”

All members share the same enthusiastic and friendly spirit that dates back to the earliest days of the club — this spirit is reflected in the quarterly club magazine, Burble. While much of the club’s membership is based in and around Christchurch, it is boosted by a growing and active representation from the wider South Island, especially Nelson and Marlborough, the West Coast, South Canterbury, and Otago.

Club activities comprise traditional ‘pony runs’ as well as a variety of other social occasions, usually on a four- to six-weekly basis. Regular major events include the Christmas family lunch and annual awards, the Mainland Muster, at which members get together with the Southern Club for fun and friendship — there were nearly 50 Mustangs at the event in Omarama and Wanaka this year. The club also takes up the role as organizer of the All Ford Day in Canterbury every February. All these events are organized by a great, energetic committee.

On top of this, club participation is encouraged in a number of major South Island events — including the Kaikoura Hop, the Buller Ford All Ford Day, the annual car shows in Cromwell and Nelson, and USA Day events in Canterbury, Dunedin, and Timaru.

The year ahead represents an exciting time for the CMOC, as it expects to see strong interest and membership growth from the influx of new RHD Mustang owners, while remaining true to its roots by valuing the Mustang heritage and legend represented by each and every Mustang since the 1964½. Irrespective of the model, the club continues to work hard to ensure that the Mustang spirit and camaraderie is enjoyed by all.

Time to pony up!