FORD FAN SPOTLIGHT – Most of the Ford Fan Spotlight submissions that come through our ClubHub@Ford.com email inbox are sent in by proud Ford owners who are honored to have their prized Blue Oval ride showcased on FordRacing.com. But this story about a 2008 Mustang GT Premium Convertible owned by Leo Howard of Glen Burnie, Maryland, came to us by way of his friend, Rick Mitchell. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Mitchell has been a contributor to the “Articles” section of our website for a couple of years now so you’ve likely seen some of his car show coverage from the East Coast. It turns out that Howard and Mitchell are friends (they even attended the Mustang Owner’s Podcast Live Town Hall Recording Session at the Carlisle Ford Nationals together), so when Mitchell offered to submit Howard’s Mustang story and photos for this week’s Spotlight, Howard wrote up a nice summary and Rick pushed the buttons to get it to us. Read what Leo has to say about how adding some subtle touches to his Mustang has tuned his clean GT Convertible into a car show favorite:
“In the past, I’ve owned a 2000 Mustang GT convertible, a 2011 Mustang GT coupe, and a 1998 Mustang GT convertible. I now have an Alloy Clearcoat Metallic 2008 Premium Mustang GT convertible with a Dove Gray leather interior and a 5-speed manual transmission that I bought in 2017 from an estate sale in southern Maryland.
“My 2008 Mustang has received many new upgrades and changes over the years. My latest and best was an Edelbrock Stage One supercharger, which raised my engine's horsepower from 300 to 496 and increased its torque from 320 to 452 pounds-feet, with a 10-psi boost. This was a significant increase in my Mustang's performance, and I really enjoy the adrenaline rush my Mustang now gives!
“I have also added new wheels and tires, contrasting stripes on the hood and rear deck, and a JBA axle-back exhaust to give my Mustang a deeper exhaust note. I’ve also added many chrome goodies to my engine area. All of this has made my Mustang more appealing without going too far over the top. I do not plan any additional upgrades to my Mustang for now, and I will just take care of anything that may need to be done.
“In 2019, I entered my GT in the Mustang Club of America's Grand National in Fredericksburg, VA, and I won a Silver Award in the Occasionally Driven class. I have also won four 'Best in Show' trophies and 12 first-place awards. Since 2020, I have averaged 25-30 events each year during the show season. .
“I hope to enter many more events with my Mustang friends, and I truly enjoy talking to fellow entrants at the different shows I attend. I also enjoy taking rides in my Mustang around my local area whenever the weather cooperates, especially in the warmer months – and even occasionally in the winter.”
Here’s How YOU Can Get In The Spotlight: For more than 20 years now, one of the most popular features on FordRacing.com and in our weekly Fast News e-newsletter continues to be "Ford Fan Spotlight," where readers can send in their own reasons why they're fans of Ford Motor Company and its vehicles. You know who they are: Ford "superfans;" grassroots Ford racers; unique Ford vehicle owners; loyal Ford enthusiasts; notable Ford club people; special Ford families; and/or any avid supporter of Ford, Ford vehicles, Ford motorsports, Ford Racing or Ford Performance who deserves a little bit of special recognition.
All you need to do to get you, your car or candidate considered is to send in a brief description (200-500 words or less) and a few photos (in .jpeg format, preferably around 1 mb in size) with the owner’s full name and hometown, please. Just tell us about the vehicle(s) and why you think Ford Racing should feature it (them) in the "Ford Fan Spotlight" for an upcoming installment of Fast News as well as for posting on FordRacing.com. Then email it to: ClubHub@Ford.com with your contact info. Your submission allows us the right to use your words and images (along with any edits) for editorial purposes; we’ll choose one submission in random order to post online. We hope to see YOU and your Ford story in our Fan Spotlight soon!
