CLUB FOUNDERS AND HISTORY

Special Historical Message to Topeka Mustang Club Members

By Roger Belanger

40 years ago in June 1981, myself and another Mustang car owner and friend; Dave Aschenbrenner decided to form a Mustang club in Topeka. In 1980 I owned a 1966 Mustang GT Fastback and Dave had a 1965 Mustang coupe. This is when the Topeka Mustang Club, Inc. was born.

We handed out fliers to all Mustang car owners as we met and had our first meeting at Laird Noller Ford who has been the clubs sponsor since the beginning. Several Mustang car owners showed up; hence we formed the new club and became a reality. We had no idea how many Mustang car owners would get involved as their ages ranged between 16-40 plus years old. WHO would have guessed?? It was and still is a monumental feat, for this club to survive this long and still going strong.

Since 2017 the club became a Mustang Club of America (MCA) regional club. The clubs first meeting was held at the Laird Noller Ford service center and then moved around town. For awhile the meetings were held at the Pizza Hut located by White Lakes Mall, and several other locations that didn’t last. Eventually we returned to the Laird Noller Ford conference center, and now we are currently at the Laird Noller Truck Center/ Quick Lane.

The current member count is between 30 to 40 but the highest member count was in 1983 with 82 members and since then has been a consistent 30 or more. The membership count changes during each annual renewal process. The numbers changed due to members moving to other states and cities, passed away, selling their Mustang cars or just simply lost interest.

Bruce Wanamaker and Terry Frits were President for a year during the late 90’s (I think). They were the only two who took the president’s office position within the club.

A Memorable Moment from Roger:

Current President (2021, Roger Belanger), his first Ford Mustang car was a 1966 GT Fastback with factory 3-speed, AC, candy apple red, black vinyl interior and he was the second owner. One time, during a White Lakes car show in 1982, the original owner from St Joseph, MO spotted the Mustang and “stated my parents bought me that Mustang for a graduation present.” Who would think, back then from nowhere, the original owner would be at that car show as a spectator viewing all the Mustangs.

(Image) - 1982 White Lakes Car Show