Bay of Plenty Mustang Owners’ Club
The BOP Mustang Owners’ Club was formed in 2002 by several enthusiastic Mustang owners. The intent of forming a club was so like minded owners could meet on a monthly basis to enjoy driving and displaying their vehicles and to interact with other like minded people. The club currently has 80+ members from all parts of the Bay of Plenty.
The club committee organises events on a monthly basis and these runs are spread all around the Bay of Plenty. In an effort to engage as many club members as possible, these events can range from car shows, runs, and track events, to ten pin bowling and sports or picnic runs. The club has a wide range of Mustangs among the 80+ cars from the 2 oldest being made within a few weeks of the first Mustang being released through to recent imports of 2013 models with less than 1000 miles on their clock.
There are 2 major items on the club calendar each year – the All USA Day and the National Mustang owner’s convention. The All USA Day is the major fund raising event held by the club each year in November and has in the past attracted as many as 200 cars of all makes and models. Many other clubs from New Zealand tag this weekend for a run to Tauranga to partake and show their vehicles. This event is also well supported by the public as it is not often you can see such a wide range of vehicles together from classic cars and trucks to modern day sedans. The event is a great family day out at very little expense. Excess funds raised from the day are donated to a local charity each year.
The other event, the National Mustang Convention is held every Labour weekend in one of 6 locations around New Zealand. There is always a great turn out from clubs all over NZ with strong representation from the always enthusiastic members of the Bay of Plenty club. The club has a history of performing well at the show and usually manages to bring home a number of awards. The 2013 National Mustang Convention is being held in Hamilton and the BOP club are expecting a large number of members to participate this year.
With the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang in April 2014, the club is looking forward to celebrating this with other clubs in New Zealand and overseas. Each April the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton and Auckland clubs get together for a combined club social day and it is envisaged that next year this could bring as many as 50+ Mustangs together from these clubs.
As the 50th anniversary is a major milestone, the event is being celebrated in a big way in Las Vegas and a number of Bay of Plenty members are planning to be part of this by touring to the convention in Mustangs and then on to follow “Route 66”. They will be but a few of the many from all parts of the world expected to converge on Las Vegas for a much anticipated get together.
The club puts out a monthly newsletter via email to all its members and also has a presence on the New Zealand Mustang web page.
Contact with the club can be made via email at bopmustangclub@gmail.com or phoning the president on 027 555 4420.