Classics To Current Models Packed NPD’s Final Show

For its grand finale, the National Parts Depot Ford & Mustang Roundup car show drew over 831 Blue Oval machines to Silver Springs Park in Silver Springs Florida on a cool January 13, 2018.

For the past 23 years, National Parts Depot has hosted one of the first big Ford shows of the season in Silver Springs, Florida. This year would be the last such annual show hosted by the restoration parts specialist offering parts for numerous vehicles, including 1964.5 to 2004 Mustangs.

“We here at National Parts Depot are sad to announce that the 24th-Annual Ford and Mustang Roundup at Silver Springs will be the last,” the company announced before the show. “No single aspect can be attributed alone to our decision. It is a mix of dynamics that brought us to this fork in the road…”

Founded and run by enthusiasts, NPD not only sells a wide array of restoration parts, but it also has a large private collection of rare vehicles. Some of those cars made it out the final show, including this 1969 Mustang Boss 429 powered by a 494-cube stroker.

Everybody has always been so warm and appreciative of us putting on the show. — Rick Schmidt, NPD

Naturally, being the final such show brought increased interest from Ford fans near and far. Having attended many of these shows of the years, we simply couldn’t miss taking one final drive down that road and we were not alone. On the prior day’s Pony Trails road rally there was record attendance with 241 cars participating, which was 79 more than had ever made the drive.

On show day, over 831 cars filled every nook and cranny of the increasingly condensed property, which became a state park a few years back. That change among others led to this final show.

“It’s very bittersweet. It’s been a love-hate relationship in that it’s a lot of work. It’s been a constant challenge with the changing landscape of the venue and finding good places to park the cars. It is constant stress with the weather concerns as to whether or not we are going to get rained out,” NPD ’s Vice President and CEO Rick Schmidt said.“But, since we announced that this was going to be the last show, the outpouring of  ‘thank you’s’ and warm thoughts and seeing all the old faces and nostalgia makes me want to say ‘Forget it, let’s do it again next year.’ I am not going to do that. We are definitely going to take a breather.”

With the Herculean effort needed to put on events of this scope, it’s no surprise that they can eventually wear out even an organization as capable as the NPD crew. However, it’s still a bit sad to see a fine celebration of all things Blue Oval come to an end, and Rick shares that sentiment.

Quickly becoming a key source of support parts for Coyote swaps, Power By The Hour has some cool in-house projects of their own. Frank Perdomo races this Fox corner carver with a Coyote underhood, which drew plenty of looks thanks to its wide fenders and tall wing.

“…Every year we would have at least one person who was ticked off at us for some sort of organizational snafu, but that was one in 1,000,” he added. “Everybody has always been so warm and appreciative of us putting on the show and it really fuels us up. That’s really what I am going to miss the most is seeing all these people year after year.”

We too will miss seeing the cars and faces, but if this was the last NPD Ford & Mustang Roundup or just the last one for a while, it definitely went out on a high note, which you can enjoy via our highlights and full gallery below.

Many of the vendors supplying parts to NPD set up displays at the show and the final installment was no exception. TMI Products was on hand to show off its wide array of seating and interior upgrades, while VMP Performance highlighted its project cars, superchargers, and more.

“I am not going to own a car that I don’t drive,”Michael Altman of Callahan, Florida, said to a spectator. Thus far he has put over 11,000 miles on his one-of-1,964 50th Anniversary 2015 Mustang GT. Since many of these cars were likely put into storage, it’s definitely cool to see one being driven.

It wasn’t all Mustangs at the NPD show, however. There was plenty of other Ford hardware on hand. John Flad of San Antonio, Florida, brought out a wild, turbocharged 1971 F100 pickup that garnered a lot of attention amongst the throngs of street cars.

William Durand of Ocala, Florida, hoped to sell his clean, Mimosa Yellow 1988 Mustang LX coupe for $12,500, which goes to show you just how much a clean Fox can command. It wasn’t totally stock, as it wore a few mods like an Explorer intake manifold, but it is in great shape.

With all the hype about a new Bullitt Mustang, it was cool see Michael Creirie of Warrenton, Virginia, showing off his 1968 Mustang inspired by the movie classic. This restomod is no replica, however. Its 390 engine is customized but super clean.

It’s rare to see one Hertz Penske 2014 Mustang GT, but Kamos Glover of Louisville, Kentucky, and Norma Fender of Bradenton, Florida, showed off a pair of the former rental stallions in great shape.

Nathan Marler of Kissimmee, Florida, brought out his clean 2005 Mustang GT. The yellow S197 features the rarely seen Ford Racing Three-Valve intake fed by a JLT cold air intake.

We have seen this unusual1966 Mustang coupe before. Lewis Mesta of Franklin, North Carolina, had this tribute to the Shelby GT-H created and powered by a Coyote swap. The car features a number of custom touches, including the air box and intake cover.

Troy Raby was pulling double duty as part of the Saleen Club and promoting the upcoming second edition of the Ponies in the Smokies show. That didn’t mean he wasn’t able to show off his own 2000 Saleen, however.

Photo gallery

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About the author

Steve Turner

Steve Turner brings decades of passion and knowledge in the world of Ford performance, having covered it for over 20 years. From the swan song of the Fox Mustang to the birth of the Coyote, Steve had a front-row seat.
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