Boss Mustang Blitz

They’ll be barking, but they won’t be barking orders. “They” are Bosses, and not the kind you report to Monday through Friday, but Ford’s horsepower-injected Mustangs. Beginning Sept. 12, The Forge muscle car event will feature a special display of Boss 429s that is expected to include a Boss in every color produced by Ford.

The event will also include Boss 302s and a 351, as well as assorted Mach 1 and Shelby models. Promotor Tim Lopata of The Forge worked closely with Jeremy Feller of the BOSS 429 Data Base to get this collection together for the museum-quality setting scheduled to open for owners and VIPs on Sept. 12 and the public Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Mustang display will make up only a fraction of the dozens of rare performance cars merging from all over the country at the Marriott MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn. As always, each vehicle at The Forge is carefully selected on the basis of its rarity and condition, but also includes a group of rare but unrestored “barn finds” many auto enthusiasts dream of locating. Many of the cars at the event have never before been seen on public display.

Of special interest this year will be the tribute to Ford’s legendary Mustangs, including one of each color Boss 429.This year, the event will feature a full-service banquet honoring the late Dick Harrell, to be held on Friday evening. Harrell was a professional drag racer responsible for many specialized Chevrolet performance cars of the 1960s, but was fatally injured in a racing accident in 1971; he will be represented by his daughter Valerie; his friend Dale Pulde (one of the winningest and best-respected funny car drivers in IHRA history); several former Harrell employees and friends; and several very rare Chevrolet vehicles, whose development Mr. Harrell was involved in. Larry Reyes, driver of the famous Roland Leong “HAWAIIAN” Dodge funny car among others, will be in attendance as well, with other personalities to be announced.

Though the Fords will be the featured vehicle this year, some of the rarest Chrysler and GM muscle cars will also be on hand, plus competition restorations from back in the day. General Motors has again agreed to be associated with this year’s show and will provide a special display from their historical collection or latest vehicle offerings, plus more.

Hours for this year’s event will be by invitation only on Friday. On Saturday, spectators are welcome to attend for a $12 charge at the door with $2 discount tickets available at the Marriott.

To spend your day off with Bosses in every color, it’s worth clocking in at The Forge.

For More Information:
6th Annual Forge Invitational Musclecar Show
Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (public display)
Meadowview Convention Center
Kingsport, Tenn. • 423-578-6600
www.forgemusclecarshow.com