Greater Vancouver Mustang Association holds 39th annual event at KPU Langley

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The Greater Vancouver Mustang Association (GVMA) hosted its “Roundup 2024” event at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Langley campus on Aug. 25. 

Coined B.C.’s biggest Mustang show, this year’s event saw more than 135 participating cars from Canada and the U.S., ranging from Ford-powered Mustangs, Lincolns, Mercurys, Shelbys, Cobras, Tigers, Cougars, in addition to other Ford models. 

The entry fee for displaying vehicles was $25 for Canadian participants and $20 USD for participants from across the border. 

Trophies were divided by classes — ranging from best stock Mustangs, best modified Mustangs, and the best non-Mustangs — for the first, second, and third positions. 

The Fort Langley Lions had a tent set up at the event, serving fresh pancakes in the morning and burgers, hot dogs, and fries for lunch. The event also featured vendors selling custom T-shirts in addition to car-care accessories and equipment. 

GVMA, a non-profit organization established in 1981, is a car club that celebrates the Ford Mustang sports vehicles. They organize events, car shows, and cruises, as well as casual social gatherings for members throughout the year. 

“It’s important to us to get together, [and] of course, all the people come in, enjoy a good show and a little bit of money goes to the charity,” said Jean-Yves Pineault, event coordinator and GVMA vice-president. 

The proceeds from this year’s event supported the B.C.-based charity Basics for Babies, which aims to provide baby necessities such as diapers, baby food, and formula for Lower Mainland infants.   

“This is one of our bigger events that we organize every year,” Pineault said. 

After selling her 1970 Ford Mustang Coupe, Janine Tucker was looking for something reliable when she bought her 2003 Ford Mustang GT Convertible. The shiny black vehicle is the centennial edition of Ford’s 100th anniversary and comes with a history of the motor company, special badging, and an upgraded stereo system. 

“I’ve always loved Mustang since I was little, so when I sold my classic Mustang, I needed something.”

Tucker said the car was in prime condition and had only 74,000 kilometres on it when she bought it. 

After moving to B.C. from Ontario two years ago with her previously owned classic Mustang, Tucker found herself joining local Mustang groups. 

“It’s a great way to meet people, especially being from the province, and I just love Mustang so I could just spend all day looking at [them].”

Victor Bresolin from Coquitlam has been the owner of a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Sport Roof since 2004. Covered with a rare silver jade paint, the car has been a part of several events under Bresolin’s ownership. 

“[The event] allows people to get their cars out and show them. It’s a good opportunity to see friends and chat, that’s the most important part for me.”

After growing up around cars for most of her life and watching her father do restorations on old Ford Thunderbirds, Melanie Cochrane’s love for cars grew naturally. 

She owns a 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in the fighter jet grey colour — her third one after previously owning 2005 and 2014 Mustangs. 

Cochrane will also take her vehicle to the “International Mustang Meet 45,” which is scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 in Calgary. 

“A lot of car clubs, unfortunately, are aging out, so as the owners get older and the new cars come in, the younger generation isn’t really into the older cars as much. So [the shows are] a really nice way to keep everybody connected.”

Cochrane also said she feels good to be a representative for female car owners in predominantly male-dominated car clubs. 

“It’s very important that female owners are represented in these situations,” she said. 

Built by her late husband over the span of 22 years, Lisa Carr from Ladner owns a 1989 Ford Mustang GT Hatchback. Originally from California, the car was shipped to Vancouver after Carr’s husband purchased it from its first owner in 2002. 

“He passed away two years ago, and so it’s huge for me to be able to drive it around, to put it out there, and to show people because it’s very unique,” Carr said.

Featuring headlamps from a BMW and a modified supercharger, Carr’s black Mustang has a horsepower (HP) of 600 compared to the original’s 250 to 300 HP, she said.

This was the fourth Mustang car show for Carr, who has been a member of the GVMA for three years. 

“When people spend almost a lifetime, or when cars are passed down through generations, [events like this] are a great way to show off the hard work,” she said. 

Vicki Goff entered the roundup with a 1999 Ford Mustang her partner used to own prior to them splitting up. Goff ended up with the car after selling her previously owned 1989 Ford Mustang due to not being able to afford the insurance for two vehicles. 

“I come out here just to have fun, meet people, and have a good time. This is what it’s all about,” she said. 

Goff has been a member of the GVMA since 2009 and strongly believes in the saying, “Ownership is not essential, enthusiasm is.” 

She said her car “never sees a garage” and features new head gaskets, water pumps, and alternators.

“I got a good mechanic,” she added. 

Her love for Mustangs goes back years to when she was 16 and saw a blue 1965 Ford Mustang parked across the street from her house. 

“I said to my dad, ‘I want that car’ …. He said, ‘Nope. It’s got a 289 engine in it. It’s got too much power for you. You can’t have it.’ I wanted it.”

Goff fulfilled her dream just a few years later when she got a 1979 Mustang Cobra when she was living on her own at 20 years old.

Participants at the event got a ballot to pick their favourite cars for different award categories. After the ballots were counted, winners for each category were announced at 3:00 pm.