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Mustang Board Reopens Museum Search

22 April 1999

Mustang Board Reopens Museum Search

    DEARBORN, Mich., April 21 -- The Mustang Museum Board of
Directors has decided to reopen its search for a museum location.  The Board
is exploring the option of joining with an existing museum or attraction to
house a Mustang collection.  "With 429 Mustang clubs nationwide, and 70,000
Mustang Club members, we think we have a lot to offer an established
automotive museum," said Mustang Museum Board President Bill Dillard.
    The Board had considered stand-alone museum sites in Orlando, Florida and
Atlanta, Georgia.  However, increasing competition in the tourism industry and
projected high operating costs made the museum project economically
unfeasible.
    "After performing our due diligence, the numbers just didn't pencil out,"
said Mustang Museum Board President Bill Dillard.  "The fund raising effort
would have consumed the time and energy of hundreds of Mustang enthusiasts.
In the end, we decided we'd rather devote our passion to the cars, not to fund
raising."

    Ford Continues Support
    Ford Motor Company will continue to support the Board's efforts.
"This all-volunteer group has worked hard, and we appreciate the effort they
have made," said Ford Mustang Brand Manager Lon Bollenbacher.
    "They are great friends for Ford.  Most companies would beg to have
customers this devoted to their brand.  We intend to support these loyal
customers until we achieve our goal of finding a place where people can
celebrate the Mustang legacy," Bollenbacher said.
    The Mustang Museum Board is a non-profit, all-volunteer group.  The Ford
Mustang is one of the premier nameplates in automotive history, and
celebrated its 35th anniversary April 17, 1999.  More than seven-million
Mustangs have been sold in that time.