In this latest Mustang Mailbag episode, John and Mike respond to an email filled with a whole host of suggestions – including the perceived need for the creation of a web-based “Mustang Resource Center.” Then they combined several inquiries into one response to answer what happened to the annual Midwest Club Summit that John and Mike had hosted for the past decade. Should it be resurrected as a live seminar at the Carlisle Ford Nationals? Finally, a podcast viewer from the Thunderbird club world offers his ideas on how to best interact with young enthusiasts. Lots of great info and insight here, and make sure to listen to the very end to get word on Thunderbird Appreciation Day 2026!

It keeps on happening, so we decided to put a stop to it – the myth that the Ford Mustang was named after the WWII fighter plane just won’t go away. After a podcast subscriber spotted a big-name website pushing the falsehood, we knew we had to get Smart! No, not get wiser, but to get noted Mustang author, historian and expert Jim Smart to come on the podcast and reveal what Lee Iacocca and others had told him about the Mustang being named after a horse, John and Mike share their own insider info – from the likes of Gale Halderman and Hal Sperlich – to finally shoot down this Mustang myth once and for all.

If you think the traditional Mustang club world is only for old-timers and retirees -- it’s time you think again. Turns out the Greater Pittsburgh Mustang Club (GPMC) just got a new president – Jacob Werner -- and he’s just 33 years old! We sit down with Jacob to find out how he and his Mustang landed in the leadership position with the GPMC (along with other Thirtysomethings on the Board), what he plans to take the club into the future, and then discover that our paths had actually crossed years ago!

We met up with Eric Richards when John was booked as the Guest Speaker for the Show-Me Mustang Club’s 40th Anniversary banquet just outside of St. Louis in January. John remembered Eric as being a huge Dave Pericak fan after he and fellow club members had previously attended Mike Rey’s Mustang Homecoming event in Dearborn, but we’ve since found out that Eric has an even deeper dedication to the Mustang hobby.

Whenever someone is known as “The Crazy Mustang Man,” you know there’s a story to tell. So Mike and John tracked down Lyle Sturgis, the famed SVT / Roush / RTR Performance Manager at Tindol Ford in Gastonia, NC for an explanation on just how he earned that name. Since Mike Rey had worked at Roush a while back, you can be sure that he and Lyle will have some insider “remember when?” stuff to share with all of us!

In this episode John and Mike talk to Tony and Jeni Lucas about their purchase of a 2024 Dark Horse Mustang and their experience of attending Ford’s 2-Day Dark Horse Track Attack Program together. But wait – there’s more: While coming home from Charlotte, we find out that Jeni was so enamored with her newfound appreciation for the Dark Horse that she told Tony she’s keeping their Dark Horse for herself and that Tony would get something else to drive for himself. So what does Tony do? Why, he goes out and buys a 2025 Dark Horse, of course! Listen in to find out how attending the Track Attack was a game-changer for them and what they plan to do with TWO Mustang Dark Horses in the family.

For this special episode, John uses his Cars In Context Media Credential to attend the Press Preview Day of the annual Detroit Auto Show and give you an insider's look at the 2026 Mustang footprint there. After covering the show since 1988 when he was with AutoWeek magazine, John found this year's low-key Ford display to be so Bronco-centric that the iconic Mustang seemed like an afterthought. Check out his photos and hear his views on how much this once-dazzling automotive spectacle has now taken on trade-show vibe.

John and Mike have received so many emails about how we can keep growing the Mustang Owner’s Podcast that we think it’s time to make some format enhancements. In this episode, John asks YOU to tell us what “Mods” you’d like to see by putting them in the Comments section. Want us to include things like Mustang and Ford News, History, Tech, Trivia – even add a “My Mustang Story” feature where you can show off your ride? Put it In the Comments or email John at jclor@carsincontext.com and we’ll make the best suggestions happen.