Ford Let the Legend Continue

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As an avid enthusiast of the Ford Mustang I must protest the recent activities by Ford Motor Company. The idea that a company, magazine or organizations use of the name Mustang/Pony or any derivative is infringing on Ford is ludicrous. If it were not for the affordable product aftermarket dealers and companies supply and the magazines, clubs and organizations available I would not have been able to restore my early model mustang and friends would not have been able to afford and spruce up their late model Mustangs. I would not have had the benefit of valuable information available through the aforementioned resources either. As I understand trademark infringement, is it really Fords opinion that the use of Mustang/Pony or any derivative is really a strain on Fords multimillion-dollar empire. You need to acknowledge if it wasn't for the aforementioned resources and the pride individuals take in Mustangs, the Mustang would not have survived this long. It is individuals like me that promote the love and confidence in Ford products that prolong and promote the existence and continued success of the Mustang. If it is Fords intention to alienate previous and future buyers of their products, or have individuals cover the name or sell their vehicles then fines and fees are the best way to go about this. If this is not Fords intention then it is suggested they rethink the road they are traveling and leave well enough alone and let the legend continue.




616 Signatures

  • Gary Moore
    • Comments
    • Lifelong owner of Ford Products
  • Teresa Moore
  • Dawna Jackson
    • Comments
    • Help keep it affordable for the little guys-66 mustang coupe
  • tasha jacquemoud
    • Comments
    • You're hurting your customers and the long run consequenses will be damaging!
  • Larry Gareffa
    • Comments
    • I think Ford needs to rethink it's stand. Their walking all over the people that put them where they are in the first place. If it wasn't for enthusiests like us there wouldn't be a Mustang to argue over.
  • rick carlile
    • Comments
    • Find a way to support our vendors, not fight them.
  • Tom Fry
    • Comments
    • I own six Fords.
  • George Combes
    • Comments
    • If it were not for the many Ford enthusiasts supporting aftermarket parts and services for these Mustangs and Cobras there would be no activities as there are today in proudly supporting Ford and its current market. I sick and tired of big business going after something unique that the smaller guys put together, especially in this particular hobby. I have several Ford cars used for everyday transportation and business travel as a result of my past experiences with the older cars and the friendship developed. I now am seriously thinking of dropping my Ford business and going with another brand of auto if this is the way Ford and its management treats its "true blue" followers. We do not need you, but you obviously need customers like us to continue your success.
  • Karl Brandt
  • Norman C. Miler
    • Comments
    • What in the world can Ford be thinking? Completely short sighted.
  • Steve Fontenot
    • Comments
    • Wouldn't it be better for Ford to support the people who create success for your family's company rather than being in conflict with them? I own 4 of your cars/trucks and I certainly think so.
  • Bruce Couture
    • Comments
    • I own four Mustangs and don't understand what Ford has to gain by all this. It has been the Mustang owners that have made the car what it is. Having the Mustang name out there is a win-win for all.
  • Bruno Griestins
  • Robert Allen
    • Comments
    • There are other and in some ways better fast cars than Ford now. I'd think Ford would want to keep loyal customers, not drive them away.
  • john liao
    • Comments
    • В
  • Ed Pavone
    • Comments
    • I would incorporate all the comments so far into my response
  • Brian Nelson
    • Comments
    • I currently am on my fifth Mustang, a Cobra Model. Without the access and support of many small businesses, most with "Mustang" in their names, I would have long ago changed to another brand and model of sports coupe. My next car purchase is coming up pretty soon and I can still do that. Customer loyalty goes both ways...or not. It's up to you, Ford.
  • David Philipkoski
  • Robert Cheney
  • Ron Tredway
    • Comments
    • Past President Nor-Cal Shelby Club, Past Director Thunderhill Raceway, Original Cobra and Shelby owner.
  • Ted Chen
    • Comments
    • Ford's desire to protect its trademark is understandable, but shaking down small business owners is the wrong approach. The demand for a $10k payment is particularly galling. It would have been smarter to set up a marketing program that offered a license and some marketing support from Ford at a nominal fee, and then pressure the ones that didn't sign up.
  • Michael Catalano
  • Jay Anderson
    • Comments
    • Don't destroy the Mustang fan base.
  • Walt Boeninger
    • Comments
    • Past President Nor Cal Shelby Club, lifelong Ford driver, currently own 4 Mustangs and an Explorer.
  • Lisa Devlin, DC
    • Comments
    • I have been affiliated with Mustang and Shelby Clubs since 1989 and have owned Ford products, particularly Mustangs, since 1984. It is the small, local businesses - most of which have "Mustang" in their name which is how I found them - that have supported my enthusiasm for Ford in general and Mustangs in particular. Had I only had support from Ford dealers I would not be a Ford customer today.
  • michael dinn
  • RRUSSELL HAYES
  • Peter Thompson
    • Comments
    • Most companies would kill to have the name recognition that Mustang has, the third party clubs, magazines and after market parts have helped the Mustang maintain it's popularity. I understand not wanting the Mustang name becoming another lost trademark, like Kleenex, but at the same time you need to balance it with the knowledge these folks helped make Mustangs what they are today.
  • Jeery Brown
    • Comments
    • owner of 12 classic Fords, 3 Mustangs
  • stephen story
  • Charlotte DuBose
    • Comments
    • As the owner of a 1967 Pony, that was restored using parts available to me from the means metioned in the letter above, and also a 2006 Mustang GT, I whole hearted agree with all the other signers to this petition.
  • Bill Purington
    • Comments
    • I agree with the petition
  • Robert L. Robaldo
  • Dana Rose
    • Comments
    • Member of Nor Cal SAAC
  • Tom Strese
    • Comments
    • Without the enthusiast community the Mustang as we know it would have been dead by now. See Ford Probe! Ford and Shelby need to wake up and see that this will only alienate those that have supported them. I for one have already reconsidered my new car buying options on account of these latest threats.
  • Orion Felles
    • Comments
    • I am a member Norcal SAAC and currently own 2 Mustangs and have owned many other Ford vehicles in the last thirty years. The aftermarket companies make a huge difference in Ford's bottom line by creating and enhancing consumer interst in your products. You should rethink this campaign!
  • Roy Richards
    • Comments
    • To Bill Ford, My first car which I purchased from my mother in 1972 was a Mustang which I still own. It has been rebuilt to almost full factory Trans Am specifacations with parts I've collected over the years and " lots " of help from aftermarket Mustang parts suppliers. The car has been on the cover of Hot Rod magazine and in Mustang Illustrated which helps carry on the Mustang Legend. I own 2 other Mustangs which I was getting close to restoring, but because of your inane handling of this situation and SVT, I am seriously considering selling these 2 Mustangs. My wife and I currently own 8 Ford vehicles including an SVT Focus, SVT Contour and a 93 Lightning which was converted into a supercab and was used by companys for prototyping parts. This truck was on display with Ford at the SEMA Show in 94 & 95 and has been in numerious magazines. I bleed Ford Blue but if you do not cease and desist my future purchases WILL NOT BE FORDS
  • Bob Munoz
    • Comments
    • I agree that the Mustang Lagacy and the popularity of it is not all because of Ford Motor Company, but truly because of the thousands of Mustang enthusiasts across our Great Nation! Just think of all the Clubs and certainly The Mustang Club Of America needs to be mentioned since they sanction clubs in this great sporting activity! Please Mr. Ford, and your management group, give this further consideration; wouldn't it be sad to see the Mustang lagacy diminish from where it is today? It could happen!!
  • Roger Andriesse
    • Comments
    • Current owner of 6 Ford vehicles, including 2 active vintage race cars, 1965 Lotus Ford Cortina, 1966 Mustang A Sedan.
  • Paul Becker
    • Comments
    • As an Enthusiast and owner of 14 Mustangs of various years, this is disturbing to hear. If this continues I guess I will remove all Ford & Mustang emblems from my cars so that I am not sued and I guess when the new Challenger comes out I will purchase that over the Mustang since Ford does not appreciate it's Heritage built by so many they are now going after. I can understand actual tradmark issues but going after Internet names, clubs and magazines is just stupid no matter how you look at it!
  • Nanette Samanich
    • Comments
    • I must totally agree...
  • David Rizzolo
    • Comments
    • the use of the Mustang name by aftermarket suppliers is, in the cases i am aware of, not in competition with Ford since these suppliers are selling parts no longer available from Ford, or Ford original parts. Also, they are part of the considerable force keeping the Mustang legend alive (and maybe keeping Ford alive too!).
  • Christian Sцderlund
  • Kathy Bristow
    • Comments
    • I own and have restored a 64 1/2 coupe & 68 convt. Had it not been for affordability and access to parts I would have never restored these cars. If Ford continues on this path the Mustangs will go by the way of the Firebird, GTO, and the rest of GM and Mopar classic cars. I may be just 1 person but it only takes 1 vote to loose an election.
  • Julie Stephen
    • Comments
    • Save the legend
  • Rodney Stephen
  • john morello
  • Ray Greer
    • Comments
    • Before I begin let me say that I own 5 Mustangs. Including a 70 Shelby GT350 (it's in the registery). I began my love of Mustangs in 69 when I bought my 1st "stang" a 6cyl coupe. It wasn't until the 80's that I could find good aftermarket parts and repair information. These manufacturers and magazines have helped keep the Mustang alive. We keep hearing about unemployment, well Ford is trying to put thousands of people out of work and kill many small businesses. What will that do to the unemployment lines?? We, the little people, are the ones that backs the Mustang following. What other model car has survived 40+ years. People know we care about the Mustang to the point that we have NEW FORD DEALERSHIPS calling us to help them locate parts as they are Ford Obsolete. Your dealerships are calling the little guys for help. Mustang has a great support system going and you (FORD) are killing it.
  • Ron Wheeler
    • Comments
    • As the current owner of a 1965 Mustang 2+2, I must agree with all the comments submitted thus far. Were it not for vintage Mustang parts suppliers and the fact their name says so, I would have found it very difficult to have built my Mustang as it is today. When FoMoCo starts manufacturing parts for my Mustang again, I will retract my opposition to your activities. Until then, which I know will never happen, remove your heads from where the sun never shines, smell the roses and enjoy the free advertising and promotion of Mustangs these aftermarket companies provide.
  • Kerry Foster
    • Comments
    • If FMC is successful with what they are trying to do I will never buy another Ford product. I'll go back to Chevy or go foreign!!