Ford NZ to celebrate Mustang’s 60th anniversary at Beach Hop
Words: Harrison Wade | Photo: NZ Autocar
This year is a biggie for one of the world’s most iconic pony cars, the Ford Mustang, as it will mark its 60th anniversary since being introduced in 1964. To celebrate, the local arm of Ford is taking to Beach Hop 2024 where multiple examples of the wild horse can be won.
The event, which kicked off today, will see thousands of Kiwi car enthusiasts descend upon Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula for five days of rock and rolling, classic cars, and cruising.
On Thursday, attendees will stop off in Thames on the Sunday Drive Power Cruise, where the Mustang will be celebrating its birthday with a variety of special displays and prizes, including awards for the ‘Top Five Mustangs of the Day’.
Also up for grabs at Fairview Motors Ford on the main street of Thames is a “one-of-a-kind” Shelby Wide Body Super Snake Mustang worth more than $300k. The car will be on show from 10:30 am, with fans able to check out its 607kW supercharged 5.0-litre Coyote V8 and enter to win the vehicle by purchasing tickets online via a QR code or going to the ARHT link found on the vehicle.
They say don’t look a gift horse in the mouth but yet another Mustang can be won this week as one of Beach Hop’s grand prizes, a 1966 coupé that any event goer can go in the draw to win by simply purchasing an event programme.
“We’re excited to be the first country to start the 60th Anniversary Mustang Celebrations and there’s no better event to do it at than Beach Hop,” said Simon Rutherford, Managing Director, Ford New Zealand.
“Beach Hop has always been one of our favourite events. It’s always fun to meet and chat with so many Ford fans and enthusiasts and of course to see so many amazing vehicles.”
New Zealand is set to welcome the arrival of the seventh-generation Mustang later this year, with orders already being taken for the GT and limited edition Dark Horse across the country. Customer arrivals are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.
The new Mustang will also make its local debut at the 2024 ITM Taupō Super400 from April 19 to 21, just after the model’s 60th birthday on April 17th.
