Fords, Mercurys and Lincolns dazzle at 7th annual Gullo car show
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” exploded from the DJ’s speakers, its throbbing, signature guitar riff revving up car fever and nostalgia. Iron Butterfly’s 18-minute heavy-metal classic was a fitting soundtrack for the classic and future classic automotive iron at last Saturday’s 7th Annual Gullo All Ford Show.
The event, a partnership of the Conroe dealership and the Northside Mustang Car Club, showcased 113 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and trucks spanning decades of automotive fashion, technology, craftsmanship and sensibilities.
“There’s a nice variety of cars,” said first-timer Robert Santoyo, who was displaying his red 2014 Roush Mustang. Having children at a very young age forced Santoyo to put his performance-car dreams on hold for more than 10 years, so ever since he acquired the Roush last year the Cypress CNC machinist has been making up for lost time, taking the 550-horsepower daily driver on activities like car cruises. He’s even planning a visit to Colorado’s famed Pikes Peak in June, but, is quick to note, “Not to race.”
Rick Booth may be retired from the Houston Fire Department but he’s still got a “fire truck,” the Montgomery County resident quips, as he points out, the hot-rod flames that adorn the nose of his black 1937 Ford pickup. The sharp little custom, which is motivated by a 5.0-liter V8 from a Mustang and has a nifty power bed lid that uses electric door poppers from a Lincoln, was built just for the Gullo show. Booth’s black beauty won the pre-1949 rod category.
John Edgemon of Conroe brought his 1950 Ford Club Coupe. The yellow Club Coupe is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s sheet metal since he swapped out the original flathead engine, which he said made about 110 horsepower, with a 429 cubic-inch V8 and C6 automatic transmission that’s better suited to handle the current 425 horsepower. Making the car even cooler is the air conditioning Edgemon added. The fortified cruiser took first place in the competition’s nostalgia – post 1950 category.
An unexpected treat for the eyes - as well as amateur automotive archaeologists - was “Maybellene,” Howard Nelson‘s gleaming 1953 Mercury Monterey.
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