Mustangs roam the land not just on hooves, but also on wheels and tires. More than that, Mustangs soar through the skies. Yes, I’m talking about America’s iconic pony car, the Ford Mustang, and the country’s legendary hero in the air, the P-51 Mustang. Once every year, the car meets the fighter plane somewhere in Florida at an event called Mustangs & Mustangs.
Mustangs And Mustangs
The annual event (now in its 23rd year) is a show in which all Ford Mustangs – from classic ones to the latest generation – get to meet the legendary P-51 Mustang fighter plane from World War II. Of course, we can expect Mustangs from different generations to take part in this annual event organized by Imperial Mustangs of Polk County.
In its latest edition, the Mustangs & Mustangs is titled “Legends Havin' Fun 2020." While it is a fact that Ford Mustangs will be on the field, the event is actually open to all Ford-powered vehicles. It will be held on February 22, 2020, at the Sun 'n Fun complex at Lakeland Linder Airport in Lakeland, Florida. This show will be held in conjunction with the Carlisle Winter Fest.
A Selfie With War Icon
To join the Mustangs & Mustangs event, interested participants need to register their cars for just $45. The first 200 cars – Mustang or not, as long as they’re Ford – to register will be provided with a dash plaque. Of course, the driver and one passenger get admitted to the event. Children who haven’t reached the age of 12 will be admitted free of charge.
Here comes the best part of the event -- each registered Ford car will have its picture taken along with a P-51 Mustang fighter plane in display! Organizers say the Mustangs & Mustangs event will be held rain or shine, so it’s really a great opportunity for a Ford car owner to see a legendary P-51 Mustang up close and personal.
Legend Meets Legend
For those who don’t know, the P-51 Mustang has been in the air since 1944. Built to serve as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 Mustang wasn’t really built for longevity but for high-performance dogfights. Nonetheless, quite a number of P-51 Mustangs (around 300 fighter planes) still exist today, with around half still able to fly.
The land-based Ford Mustang, meanwhile, arrived 20 years after the legendary fighter plane was born. Just like its air-cruising counterpart, this Mustang was able to create a legend of its own.
Source: Imperial Mustangs of Polk County