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Arden, NC resident Jan Roupe, who owns a 2005, a 1966 and two 1967 Mustang convertibles said, “They were the cars of my time. I’ve bought all of mine since I’ve gotten older. They kind of remind you of your youth.”
It is people like Roupe who helped the Blue Ridge Mustang Club of Ashville land a jewel in its crown: the Mustang Club of America is bringing its national meeting to Ashville's Biltmore Estate in 2010. Blue Ridge Mustang Club President Joe Grace announced the coming national meeting to club members at Fudruckers restaurant. The response was raucous, with members giving the announcement a standing ovation.
The Blue Ridge Mustang Club is only 13 months old, but it has already grown to encompass 110 members with 145 Mustangs. The quick growth of the club so impressed the Mustang Club of America that the 55-member board vote unanimously to hold the meeting in Ashville, North Carolina. Grace said “We’re thinking we can do 1,000 cars for the nationals. We would like to break the record.”
The Labor Day weekend convention will draw visitors who will stay for the entire weekend, leading to a huge economic benefit for the area. “Based upon the conservative numbers of 800 cars and about 1,200 people, the figure would be just under $700,000. If they get the numbers that Joe expects — over 1,000 cars and more than 1,500 people — then we are looking at more like $900,000 to a $1 million for that weekend,” said Brian Yates, a “destination guru” with the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The cars will be hosted at the Biltmore Estates. Meeting attendees will be offered a special rate of $30 for three days admission to the estate grounds. Biltmore Farms hotels will be the host company for lodging. The company plans to have five hotels in the area by 2010.
The Blue Ridge Mustang Club hosted a 330 car event last September and raised $14,000. In addition to events, The Blue Ridge Mustang Club also holds monthly meeting at local restaurants to eat, enjoy each others company and talk about their beloved Mustangs. “The Mustang is an American icon. Other than the Corvette, what do you have left that’s a true muscle car?” Grace said.
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