40th annual Mustang Car Club show a roaring success

The 40th annual Mustang Car Club Rhode Island All Wheels Show was an overwhelming success and more than tripled last year’s entries, according to Iyman Musa, a Johnston resident who serves as state director and webmaster for the MCC of New England.

There were many models of the famous Mustang, as well as Ed Powell’s 1955 Chevrolet 210, which won the Phil’s Propane Choice Award.

“We had 50 cars at last year’s show,” Musa said. “Today, we have approximately 150 cars – Mustangs and all other makes and models – as well as a tremendous sponsor.”

Musa, who owns a 1972 Mustang convertible in what he called “light Panther blue,” was speaking about Phil Viveiros, a Tiverton resident and proud owner of a 2014 Mustang. Viveiros’ company, Phil’s Propane, sponsored Sunday’s show, which also featured Richard George – known as DJ Car-Guy – playing oldies and doo-wop hits.

“Today’s show is officially named the ‘Phil’s Propane Summer Round-up’ and all proceeds will be donated to The Tomorrow Fund,” Musa said. “We don’t have all the numbers, as some donations are still coming in, but our club is proud to do this show for that great nonprofit.”

That’s also why the top award was named the Phil’s Propane Choice Award and went to Powell, while The Paul King Memorial Award for the best Mustang Fox body went to Dante Carr from Exeter for his 1990 Black Mustang LX Coupe.

In all, there were 15 popular vote trophies and 25 Mustang judged awards, along with a 50/50 raffle that contributed to the total proceeds presented to The Tomorrow Fund. Sunday’s show also featured food prepared and served by the staff from Johnny’s Victory Diner and various vendors like CBA Designs and Bob Lavoie’s Envy Car Care.

As noted, Sunday’s show featured two Mustangs – done in a color some people called a yellow-orange that had matching black tops – as well as year-matching Massachusetts license plates.

Diane and Roger Reizovic are the proud owners of those Mustangs, hers being No. 33 of only 46 models named the 2007 California Special GT and his being a 2009 GT with a glass roof.

There was even an in-club competition of sorts by Paul Breault of Westford, Massachusetts, who owns a 1965 Fast Back Stock Mustang, and Bob Hand, a Bristol, Connecticut, resident who has a 1972 Spring Special Edition Mustang.

“Everyone here today is a winner,” Musa said. “Especially since the proceeds will benefit families of children who are battling cancer at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.”