Every April, Ford enthusiasts from all over the country come together at Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, California, to celebrate their passion for Ford vehicles. Anyone who owns a Ford is welcome to show off their ride, as long as they register early, since it is a sell-out every year. Any vehicle, in any condition is welcome, as long as it is a Ford. Every Ford is represented, from classic to modern, showroom stock to wildly modified, and daily driver to Concourse-restored. This year, nearly 2,000 Ford vehicles and 25,000 people arrived on April 27 to share their fervor for Ford.
On hand were Ford Racing's parts division and Ford's SVT performance arm, complete with the full SVT vehicle line-up. They even flaunted the pavement-shredding Lightning Bolt concept. BFGoodrich, Shelby American, Saleen, and many other vendors were in attendance to showcase their products, while Ford clubs from everywhere arrived in force to show off their fantastic rides. The F-1s, T-birds, Broncos, GT500KRs, Model Ts, and any other famous Ford nameplate you can think of, all in various states, were enough to draw the interest of even the most hardened Bow Tie fan.
With this year being the century mark of Ford Motor Company, the company brought along its centennial display, featuring a Ford vehicle timeline. Along with the display was a Model T replica to contrast with the newly redesigned '04 Ford F-150, previewed next to it.
Celebrities, such as Carroll Shelby, Parnelli Jones, Phil Hill, Roberto Moreno, and Dan Gurney were available for autographs, while others, such as Jay Leno, were seen in the crowd. The general public is always welcome, free of charge, and the show runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., while discounted tickets to Knott's are a fun way to wrap up your day.
To register your Ford or to attend as a spectator, check out www.fordcarclubs.org. Next year will be the start of a new century for Ford Motor Company, and it promises to be another fabulous event.