The Second Annual Ford GT Owner's Rally wrapped up with a cruise through the high desert, a dinner and charity auction at the Petersen Automotive Musuem, and a car show featuring over 100 Ford GTs. The high-desert cruise proved challenging in the early stages, with standard-issue L.A. Traffic on the northbound 15 freeway (why would anyone be going that direction on a Friday?). But once clear of Interstate 15 the parade of 40-plus GTs enjoyed wide-open cruising at wide-open thro-...er, at a healthy rate of speed across the Pearblossom Highway.
The cruise wound it's way back to The Petersen Automotive Museum where participants enjoyed browsing the three floors of car-related displays before bidding in an auction of Ford GT artwork by GT designer Camilo Pardo.
The evening was topped off by the appearance a Ford's most famous face, Carroll Shelby. Mr. Shelby signed all of the artwork before it was auctioned off to benefit a veteren's charity. The elder statesman of speed then offered to pose for pictures with any and all interested participants (the line formed quickly and took up most of the museum's second floor). At 84 it's obvious Mr. Shelby still knows how to live life to its fullest.
The rally's final day started with an early morning car show in Irvine. Dubbed Cars and Coffee, this weekly gathering never fails to turn up a large collection of classic, exotic and special interest automobiles (and motorcycles). The Ford GT was the "featured" car this day, and with over 100 copies flooding the parking lot of Ford's Premier Automotive Group it was easily the largest gathering of Ford GTs to date.
And how did our long-term exotic perform throughout this four-day Ford GT frenzy? Admirably -- until a failing rear shock sidelined us after the auction. The growing "CRASH" from the behind our head, even over modest road imperfections, had us swapping the GT for our other long-term exotic. You can read more about it here.
Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief, Edmunds.com @ 10,410 miles
jriz says:
08:47 AM, 08/ 6/07
As I drove back from Phoenix yesterday, I couldn't help but notice an unusually large number of Ford GT's heading in the opposite direction -- including three together. I'm just going to assume this is where they were coming from.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
09:07 AM, 08/ 6/07
Why would people be heading north on I-15 on a Friday?
If you're in Los Angeles, it's because a big chunk of LA residents want to go to Las Vegas for a weekend of entertainment and gambling !!
And should anyone pine for more gridlock pleasure, just drive the I-15 South from Vegas on a Sunday !!