Showing Off
The online giant’s annual car show draws over 1,700 Mustangs
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of American Muscle
If you have modified your modern Mustang, odds are you have purchased something from AmericanMuscle.com. Born of the S197 era, this company quickly grew into an online superstore for all things to modify your Mustangs. To celebrate its customers the company began hosting a car show and that soon outgrew its venue and moved to the storied Maple Grove Raceway. This year’s eighth-annual event took place on August 13.
Moving to the racetrack not only allowed for the addition of more cars, but it opened up the event to offer more activities, like drag racing and a burnout contest. At its core, the American Muscle event is still a car show—one that attracted 1,700 Mustang this year—with a heart. That’s because the proceeds from the event are donated to charity and this year’s event benefited the Make A Wish Foundation.
This year American Muscle donated $60,200 to the charity, but that wasn’t all they did to help Make A Wish this year. The company learned about a teen that loved his Mustang and wished for some modest upgrades. Instead, American Muscle opted to completely revamp his Mustang, including repairing its damaged rear quarter.
“Eighteen-year old Austin’s 2005 V6 Mustang is one of his most prized possessions. In fact, Austin loves his car so much that when we were told he could wish for anything in the world, his wish was for the crew at AmericanMuscle to give his car some basic upgrades like wheels and a few exterior mods,” the company explained. “When Make-a-Wish shared Austin’s story with us, we knew this build was going to call for more than a few ‘basic upgrades.’ We needed to build Austin a car that would turn heads everywhere he drove.”
As you can see in the photos (full gallery on the Front Page), Austin’s revamped ride received more than just basic upgrades. Mods from Cervini’s, Classic Design Concepts, Modern Muscle Design, Raxiom and Roush revamped the exterior. It picked up power and a Bama tune, Borla exhaust and a C&L cold air intake, while the handling sharpened thanks to Air Lift Suspension, SR Performance and Whiteline upgrades.
In all, the show offered a good time for a good cause and the company is sure to be back at it with another bash in 2017, so if you are in driving distance of Pennsylvania, you should definitely put it on your show wish list for the new year.
[video=youtube;FVR7vm_Dy6w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVR7vm_Dy6w[/video]
Regular Front Page readers know that AmericanMuscle.com is giving away a new Mustang boosted to 850 horsepower and sporting over $30,000 in modifications. Naturally, that car was on display at the AM 2016 Show.
Over 1,700 Mustangs participated in this year’s American Muscle car show, competing in classes for 2015-and newer, 2010-2014 , 2005-2009, 1999-2004, 1994-1998, 1979-1993 and Pre-1979 models, as well as a variety of specialty classes.
Eighteen-year-old Austin’s wish was to have his prize Mustang upgraded with a few modifications. Thanks to American Muscle and Make A Wish, Austin’s Mustang received a complete makeover that was revealed at the AM 2016 show.
More than just a car show, the AmericanMuscle event offers plenty of sights and sounds, including a burnout contest, chassis dyno pulls and drag racing.
Remember that sweepstakes. Yeah, in addition to the 850-horsepower Mustang, AM is also giving away a new Raptor, a race trailer and more!
Even a V-6 Mustang can do a massive burnout and the owner gets extra style points for the colored smoke!
American Muscle also had its ever-evolving fleet of project Mustangs on hand for spectators to check out in person.
AM 2016 Car Show Winners
Best Employee Ride: Amanda Cruz 2012 GT
SCT Best Dyno Run: Ronnie Reynolds/Justin Burcham/JPC 2011 GT 1,388 horsepower
US Paralympics Revving Competition: Robert Kaczynski
SCT Burnout Competition: Alex Giroux
Chip Foose Award: Terry Wasser 1970 Boss 302
Vaughn Gittin Jr. Ready To Rock Award: Victor Ley 2015 EcoBoost
Make-A-Wish Pick: Lowell Murdock 1969 Boss 302
Best In Show: Jeff Hashagen 2005 Rough Tribute
Specialty Best In Class: William Urbanski 2006 Saleen
2015+ Best In Class: Jim Hix 2015 EcoBoost
2010-2014 Best In Class: Antonio Rivera 2014 V6
2005-2009 Best In Class: Jimmy Mirras 2007 GT
1999-2004 Best In Class: Kristy Donahue 2000 V6
1994-1998 Best In Class: Donnie Huth 1997 Cobra
1979-1993 Best In Class: Jeffrey Miller 1989 LX
Pre-1979 Best In Class: Michael Fetter 1965 347 Fastback
