1964-1975 When the Mustang was introduced in April of 1964 at the New York World's Fair, the National Council of Mustang Clubs was founded in Dearborn, Michigan.  The NCMC was born of the National Council of Falcon Clubs and for a short time these organizations were known as the National Council of Falcon/Mustang Clubs.  Holmes Tuttle Ford's Falcon Owners Club was an active group of enthusiasts who loved their road and driving events.  Across the U.S., Mustang Mania  swept car enthusiasts off their feet and here in Tucson, out of their Falcons. The dealer representative for the clubs naturally chose a Mustang as his dealer car and was soon taking those Falcons in on trade for a new Mustang.  In May 1965, the decision was made to change the club's name to The Southern Arizona Mustang Club.

Bill Laird, who was the dealer representative at Holmes Tuttle, is credited with forming SAMC (as it became to be known).  Through his interest in slaloms, road rallies and a general good time with an automobile, the club flourished.  SAMC enjoyed the excitement of the early years and survived the '70's slump - unlike most other Mustang clubs.  SAMC is possibly the only survivor of the original National Council of Mustang Clubs making it the oldest Mustang Club in the world.  In 1968, Bill joined the National Council of Mustang Clubs as the regional director for the Southwest.  No one could ever replace Bill but by 1968, SAMC was a strong club and was able to carry on because of its sound organization and its association with the established NCMC.

At one time, there were over 500 dealer sponsored Mustang Clubs across the country and around the world.  1970 was the peak year with over 200,000 Mustang club members worldwide.  Dealer backed Mustang clubs in the '60's ranged from 10 to 300 members.  By 1974, Mustang Mania had passed and did not resurface until the late 1970's.  SAMC is one of the fortunate few today who still have a dealer sponsor.

SAMC Mustangers were a fun loving group who loved racing and road rallies.  Ghymkhanas, autocross, economy runs and family picnics were all part of the events held by the first Tucson Mustangers.  Events were often open to all vehicles and there was always some good natured competition between the Chevys and Fords.  They also became known for their Ford blue berets. Not many records or photos remain from the 1964/65 era.  A club newsletter began in October 1965 and continued for several years.  The National Council of Falcon/Mustang Clubs produced Rallye, their official publication and SAMC was a regular contributor to this magazine.  In October of 1965, a Maverick Roundup was held to recruit new members.  Rallye reported this event:  "A great idea comes from The Southern Arizona Mustang Club.  They recently sponsored a great Maverick Roundup.  Purpose.to get new members. Cap this tho'.they gave cash prizes to the person bringing in the most paid-up members, the person corralling the most members, paid-up or not, and for the first and second runners-up.  Grand prize was 50 bucks with 25, 15 and 10 going to the next in line.  Imagine making money while you're selling somebody on your club.'zat how you guys now got 47 actives?"

The 1965 Maverick Hunt gave SAMC a well preserved dash plaque and its longest running member, Dave Carroll.
 Tucson had two Mustang clubs.  SAMC was sponsored by Holmes Tuttle Ford and Pueblo Ford had Pueblo Ford Mustang Club.  There were Mustang clubs all over Arizona.  Even tiny Kearny, Arizona had a Mustang Club and SAMC was invited to activities in Phoenix, Kearney and Flagstaff.  In 1968, the Coconino Colts Mustang Club from Babbitt Ford in Flagstaff, Arizona held a snowmobile slalom and SAMC desert dwellers tried their skills on the gentle slopes of a frozen golf course.

Dave Carroll and his Mach1

Weekend events - Regionals  or Roundups - were held somewhere around the country almost every weekend.  From Friday night to Sunday night, there was not an hour that was not filled with Mustang related events - rallyes both navigational and gimmick, funkhanas, slaloms, concours shows and the parties, of course.  SAMC participated in many of these in California and Phoenix.  The Grand Canyon State Regionals were shared between SAMC and the Muscon Roadrunners in Phoenix.  The National Council of Mustang Clubs would provide trophies, dash plaques and other goodies.

In April 1968, SAMC Mustangers entered the National Mustang Round-Up in San Francisco.  The Candy Apple Red Two-Millionth Mustang was won by SAMC's own, Bill Forrester.  What an excitement!

Each year in April, the National Council celebrated the Mustang's birthday with Mustang Rallye Day U.S.A.  The rally was held on the weekend closest to April 17th and the proceeds went to a local charity.  The Council provided trophies, bumper stickers and lots of promotional items to each local chapter.

SAMC was the host of the fourth and final Grand Canyon State Regional in May 1970.  Mustang Mania seemed to slip not only in Tucson but all across the country.  SAMC was experiencing smaller turnouts at it's events and meetings.  In 1971, The National Council of Mustang Clubs was merged with the Ford Drag Club to form Ford Motorsports Association.  By 1974, that organization was gone too.  It seemed impossible, but enthusiasm for our favorite car was waning.  Mustang Madness was on the decline and the clubs were hurting.  They closed up shop all over.  Where are the Muscon Roadrunners, the Coconino Colts?  SAMC was sinking too.  An urgent plea went out"  Special Meeting.  If you care, be there!"  1975 was a low year for SAMC.  Few events were held and meetings consisted of talking about how to turn the decline around.

1976 - 1990  In 1976, about the same time that Mustang Club of America was born, the "faithful few" and a few new recruits from SAMC were still Mustanging with their soon to be "classics".  The faithful met and voted on a new constitution, new officers and promised new energy.  Most of this group were original owners of their Mustangs.  Neither an oil crisis nor a new wave of sub-compact automobiles had been able to persuade them to part with their Mustangs.  What they and others had noticed was the increased interest in the Mustang as a collector's car and the interest of the new driver.  The new driver was able to buy a Mustang at a very reasonable price, buy parts and with a little work they were thundering up and down Speedway - just like the old days.  The collector could also buy a Mustang and with a little money and a lot of work, restore it to its original condition (or better ) and then make a good deal of money - if he could bear to part with it.

By 1978, SAMC was once again a dynamic and energetic organization.  Most of the names and faces were new as were the interests of this new generation of Mustanger.  The new Mustanger was not so interested in a slalom or an autocross.  In fact, it was even difficult to get him to participate in a rallye - on paved roads!  What he would rather do is "show off" his many hours of labor and let fellow Mustangers admire his pony as he admired theirs.  Thus the car show was born.

Mustangers were treated to Mustang magazines, Mustang parts advertisements and invitations to participate in car shows all across the country.  It seemed that the "faithful few" had been rewarded with a new era of Mustang Mania!

The 1980's were good for SAMC.  The club had an active membership and monthly events were well attended.  In April 1980, SAMC celebrated the Mustang's 16th birthday and invited the new Phoenix club, Copperstate Mustang Club, to participate.  Mustang clubs were on the move once again.  An All Ford Show was introduced by SAMC and held for several years at Holmes Tuttle Ford.  The Mustang's birthday was celebrated in April and the 20th birthday was a huge birthday party and car show.  A number of white/red 20th Anniversary Mustangs were sold on that day.

As the 25th Anniversary of the Mustang approached in 1989, celebrations were planned all over the country.  The Ford show at Knott's Berry Farm was dedicated to the Mustang.  SAMC was contacted by the founder of The American Pony Drive and arrangements were made for Tucson to be one of the stops on their tour across America.  After SAMC celebrated the 25th Anniversary with a car show at Holmes Tuttle, many club members caravaned to California for the west coast's huge extravaganza.  The Pony Drive participants had made it to California after their drive across the USA and we had our first meeting with Mustang owners from Europe and Great Britain.

The All Ford Show was an exhilarating experience for the Mustang owner.  Hundreds and hundreds of Mustangs - all years - were lined up.  Row after row.  It was almost impossible to look at them all in one day.

SAMC members had to hurry back to Tucson because the following weekend, The Pony Drive would be arriving for a real "western" experience in Tucson.  This was an experience that SAMC Mustangers would never forget

In 1987, an event happened that would forever seal the Mustangs place in history.  Ford Motor Company suggested a total re-design.  It was suggested that the Mustang would be a RX-7 looking version of the Mazda 626.  Mustangers around the world united and wrote hundreds of thousands of letters to Ford.  Most were to the point:  were they crazy or just out-of-their minds?  An American icon on a Japanese car?  Ford got the message loud and clear and Mustangers felt a new sense of power.  SAMC members were a loud voice and that voice was heard.

The 1990's  As the 30th Anniversary of the Mustang approached, new challenges faced the Mustang.  This time, though, it had a savior - Alex Trotman.  The design team he put together had the Mustang enthusiasts interests in mind.

 The Southern Arizona Mustang Club was invited to be one of the locations to preview the new 1994 Mustang which was held in October of 1993.  The preview was held at Ventana Resort and over 150 local Mustangs came for the event.  There was lots of press and a grand party plus the new Mustang stayed until the following weekend for the Great Pumpkin Car Show at Old Tucson.  Holmes Tuttle continued the celebration with a 2-day party at the dealership a couple months later.

 The All Ford Show at Knott's Berry Farm in April 1994 was a special celebration for the 30th Anniversary of the Mustang.  SAMC had over 30 Mustangs that caravaned to the show.  SAMC attendance was the largest out-of-state attendance from a car club.

 Since the 1980's, SAMC members have enjoyed events that involve a road tour.  The annual car show in Pinetop, Arizona often had 30 or more cars in the caravan.  Each year, the members planned a little mischief that always attracted attention and was very enjoyable for the participants.  SAMC began the tradition of lining up all Mustangs by year and then paraded to the show areas as one group.  Cars would pull off the road as we rolled by.

An out-of-town event always begins with a meeting place and a caravan.  SAMC has participated in car shows in many Arizona cities, in Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and California.  Mustangers have discovered the pleasure of driving their Mustangs once again.

Local car shows or "cruises" have become very popular in the '90's.  150-200 cars will gather at Little Anthony's Diner and other local watering holes.  SAMC always has a good representation and the summer months will have a car event every weekend.  SAMC members look forward to getting together with their friends on a weekly basis.

The Great Pumpkin