ADVISORY/Charity Auction of 2002 Classic T-Bird Stirs Frenzy Among Collectors Vying to Own Limited Edition

    NORTH HILLS, Calif.--

    Ford Motor Co.'s newest release, the highly anticipated "classic" Thunderbird arrives in Los Angeles this week at Galpin Ford.
    The L.A.-based dealer has been inundated with offers from car enthusiasts and will level the playing field by offering its first 2002 model in a charity auction on Tuesday evening.
    Proceeds from the auction will benefit local charities: MEND (Meet Every Need with Dignity), New Horizons, L.A.'s BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow), Jeopardy Foundation and Padres Contra El Cancer.
    Auction participants must be 18 years of age or older and must preregister at Galpin Ford or by calling 818/778-2554. Registration closes one hour before the auction begins.
    The sleek, black-on-black T-Bird -- sporting the trademark twin porthole, removable hardtop that distinguished the original T-Birds in the 1950s -- is one of only 25,000 of the limited edition cars to go on sale nationally.
    Galpin sells more Fords than any other dealer in America.

WHAT:           Charity auction of Galpin Ford's first 2002 classic
                Ford Thunderbird

WHEN:           Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001

                Gala reception:  6 p.m.
                Charity auction: 8 p.m.

NOTE TO
EDITORS:        2002 T-Bird and Galpin Ford owners available to media
                by request, beginning Friday, Aug. 17

WHERE:          Galpin Ford, 15505 Roscoe Blvd., San Fernando Valley
                Take the Roscoe Exit off the 405 Freeway