At it's peak in 1967, the Ford-backed National Council of Mustang Clubs reportedly had 200,000 members.  Do you remember the original Mustang mania?

The National Council of Mustang Clubs was launched with the Mustang's introduction on April 17, 1964.  Madness for these cars surely followed.  Think your regional Mustang show is packing them in today at 400 cars?  Imagine the thundering gallop of 1,400 of them to a point where there was no longer room for them in a parking lot. This is the way it was in Newark, New Jersey in 1964 at one of the first Mustang Rallye Day events hosted by the National Council of Mustang Clubs, which became regular events across the country.

Each and every April, the National Council of Mustang Clubs (NCMC) would celebrate the Mustang's anniversary with a celebration and a Mustang giveaway.  These events were so successful they raised huge sums of money for charities and to keep the club going.

According to The Mustanger  periodical, in any given week, you could find NCMC regional clubs hosting beach parties, sight-seeing tours, road rallies, gymkanas, autocrosses, slaloms, cruises, and shows.  These gatherings weren't limited to North America either.  The Mustang was born for speed competition around the globe.  In Europe, Mustang took a 1-2 win in the grueling 3500-mile Tour de France.  This kind of madness for speed and sport spread across the Atlantic to North America.  And in North America, rallyes were mostly about having fun and raising money for important charities.

We look to our readers - those of you who remember the original Mustang madness and the National Council of Mustang Clubs.  We're seeking memorabilia, good photos, and your memories if you were an active participant in one of the greatest automotive movements in history.  We'd like to hear from you as soon as possible at Jim.Smart@sorc.com or www.mustangmonthly.com or Jim Smart c/o Mustang Monthly Magazine, 9036 Brittany Way, Tampa, Fl 33619.