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| The Mustangs at SEMA |
The Ford Mustang is the most customized car in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry, and there will be no shortage of polished up ponies at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show being held November 3-6 in Las Vegas. “The Mustang is an iconic car,” said Melvin Betancourt, Ford SEMA design manager. “People always want to reinvent it, and everybody has an idea about what the next Mustang should be.”
According to Allison Revier, Ford Mustang marketing manager, much of Mustang’s popularity in the aftermarket is steeped in tradition. “Many fathers pass down their classic Mustangs to their sons to restore,” she said. “They form emotional ties to the car and create special memories.” But what really drives Mustang’s success is a universally shared desire among owners to make their steed unique, says Revier. “The Mustang is a ‘Look at me’ car,” she said. “You don’t want to have the same Mustang that the guy down the street has. You want to stand apart.”
In an effort to feed customization-hungry pony car enthusiasts, Ford recently launched the 2010 Mustang Customizer at www.the2010Mustang.com, a Web site offering an online experience that allows people to create their own virtual Mustangs, choosing colors and decals to complement the all-new design. “Since we know the first thing customers do when they buy a Mustang is customize it, we wanted to show them everything they could do,” explained Revier. “Some of it is concept – changing colors and stripes – but the site also gives us a chance to showcase our Genuine Ford Accessories as well as other aftermarket parts.”
The response has been overwhelming. In just two months, more than 1 million custom Mustangs have been built on the site. “The Mustang Customizer allows users to get closer to this new product, as well as connect to the brand in a creative way because they can truly make it their own,” said Adam Barrow, Ford digital marketing analyst. “Self-expression is what this brand is about.”
Self-expression is evident with the Mustang project vehicles on display at this year’s SEMA show, according to Revier. “They all look dramatically different, and that’s what I think is so great about it,” she said. “Everyone starts out with the same vehicle, but each aftermarket builder turns it into something completely distinctive.”
Here is a list of just a few of the customized Ford Mustangs to be making an appearance at SEMA:
2010 Ford Mustang by 3dCarbon
The 3dCarbon Mustang is different from all other Mustangs because it is the true Boy Racer, an award-winning full body styling concept that was originally introduced with the 2005 Mustang body style. Ernie Bunnell, vice president of sales and marketing for 3dCarbon of Newport Beach, California, says his Mustang is unique because it is a modern day version of 3dCarbon’s award winning 2005 Mustang Boy Racer. “We are introducing the 2010 Boy Racer, an evolution of styling from the old to the new,” said Bunnell. “With its bold, aerodynamic design, this vehicle is sure to turn heads.” In addition to a 3dCarbon Boy Racer body kit, the red Mustang with white racing stripes features a front “E” grille, rear window trim, window louvers with gel decal inserts, headlight splitters and decklid spoiler – all created by 3dCarbon. The 3d Boy Racer is sure to turn heads.
 2010 Ford Mustang Boy Racer by 3dCarbon
2010 Ford Mustang by Steeda Autosports
The official motto of Steeda Autosports, “Speed matters,” is most certainly reflected in the Steeda Mustang that will be on display at SEMA. “The Steeda Q350 is embodied with the very soul of Mustang performance,” said Dario Orlando, president of Steeda Autosports. “It combines the dynamics and agility of a high performance sports racer with the everyday practicality and comfort of America’s original pony car – all in one integrated package.” The Steeda Mustang has an array of modifications, including a functional body kit with unique aerodynamic features, an upgraded street/track suspension system, numerous powertrain enhancements and a top notch sport interior. With more wins, records and championships in production-based Mustangs than any other specialty manufacturer, the Steeda Q350 is both track tested and street legal.
 2010 Q350 Ford Mustang by Steeda Autosports
2010 Ford Mustang by Galpin Auto Sports
The Mustang GT Convertible is the true American thrill machine, and that thrill doubles with a Ford Racing 550-horsepower supercharger and one-of-a-kind custom wide body. This is the car to have – whether you’re out on the road with the top down or in the city for a night on the town.
 2010 Ford Mustang by Galpin Auto Sports - Front
 2010 Ford Mustang by Galpin Auto Sports - Rear
2010 Ford Mustang by H&R Special Springs
H&R Special Springs has taken a new 2010 Mustang and built a time machine that is making the future visible now. Working from awesome new styling cues, H&R brings the future closer; from the personalized colorized wheels and subtle LED lighting accents on the exterior to the luxurious white accents inside, custom tuning is the wave.
 2010 Ford Mustang by H&R Special Springs
2010 Ford Mustang by Paul’s High Performance
This 2010 Mustang GT is unmistakably built for the quarter-mile drag strip, with low elapsed times in mind. From the functional hood to the rear wing, its aggressive wheels, tires, exhaust and custom-designed Paul’s High Performance products are all specifically tuned for maximum performance. Following in the Paul’s High Performance tradition, this GT screams “Record breaker!” while showing off Mustang’s impressive new body styling, which is way ahead of the competition.
 2010 Ford Mustang by Paul’s High Performance
2010 Ford Mustang by Vaughn Gittin Jr.
World championship drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. has introduced a new generation of Mustang to the world with the Mustang RTR. The extremely limited-production Mustang RTR-C puts still more muscle behind the already incredible 2010 Ford Mustang GT. Balancing 550 tire-shredding American horsepower with new-generation design influences, Vaughn has incorporated state-of-the-art technology with first-rate carbon fiber body construction to make the Mustang RTR-C one incredible-looking, raw performance machine.
 2010 Ford Mustang by Vaughn Gittin Jr.
2010 Ford Mustang by Ford Vehicle Personalization
Ford Vehicle Personalization also will have a Mustang on display at SEMA. The vehicle, which features Ford Custom Accessories, sports a unique Carbon Black Metallic custom colored exterior accented with satin gold 20" wheels and gold tinted headlights and fog lamps. The interior continues the gold theme, with gold leather seat and door trim inserts, seat piping, steering wheel cover and shifter boot. “Metallic gold is currently very much in fashion throughout the design world,” said Mark Conforzi, chief designer, Ford Vehicle Personalization. “There is a wide variety of modern gold finishes that can be seen in fashion apparel designs from Stella McCartney, Dior, Prada and Alexander McQueen. I would like to encourage gold finishes on our future products, in subtle and technical applications presented in a modern way.”
 2010 Ford Mustang by Ford Vehicle Personalization
2010 Ford Mustang by Street Scene Equipment
Street Scene Equipment once again leads the way with race-like styling for the street, and power, handling and style incorporated into the perfect package. This Mustang from Street Scene Equipment is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.
 2010 Ford Mustang by Street Scene Equipment
Related:
2010 Steeda Q Mustang Pictures
2006 H&R Springs Mustang
The Mustangs at SEMA 2004 Information
The Mustangs at SEMA 2004 Pictures
2010 Boss 302R Mustang Information
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