LCOC members were invited to the Ford Car Club Council’s day at.the Mustang Immersive Experience Feb. 1, But some just couldn’t wait and jumped the gun by attending an earlier iteration of the event with the Great Autos car club. Our own Scott Balanda filed this colorful report on his memorable day.
By Scott Balanda
Early on a clear and brisk Sunday morning in January, Great Autos members pulled up one after another to the Ace Mission Studios event venue, situated on the edge of L.A.’s Arts District. They came from near and far, all to enjoy the Mustang Immersive Experience. Waking early to attend this limited-time adventure, they drove and displayed their Mustangs, Lincolns, other Fords and a variety of beautiful classics.
On arrival, attendees had to drive under the famous Sixth Street Viaduct Bridge, past an abundance of beautiful street art, before entering the venue’s parking lot. There, two new Mustangs, one in the new and dreamy Adriatic Blue Metallic and the other in the also new and sporty Orange Fury Metallic Tri-Coat, were strategically placed on top of a pile of shipping containers, where they welcomed everyone who was fortunate to attend this marvelous occasion.
Three LCOC members proudly displayed their cool cars strategically at the venue: Mike Klyde with his stunning black 2011 Mustang Steeda Convertible that he has owned since it was new, was parked and displayed in front of the venue. David Meagher parked and displayed his beautiful and timeless ’91 Mark VII LSC SE (Mustang’s more affluent Foxbody cousin) in front as well. and Scott Balanda parked and displayed his new Ford Lightning Platinum under the ‘American Icon,
A Mustang Immersive Experience’ sign was beautifully painted on the wall of the venue with colors matching his electric truck with it’s Mustang-inspired performance. Tire-kicking, great camaraderie and conversation took place before the event commenced.
Upon entering, attendees got to peruse the gift shop with its collection of very unique but not cheap nostalgic Mustang memorabilia. Then, members were brought in as a special group to experience the groundbreaking event together.
Though most were seated, the special visual and audio effects made attendees feel that they were in the driver’s seat of the many virtual Mustangs that were part of this high-tech immersive experience. The history of the Mustang was first to be showcased, including commentary from Bill Ford and Jim Farley and how the Mustang almost got killed by the Probe. Legendary Mustangs in American film & culture were highlighted.
Then, the group moved onto several subsequent multi-sensory immersive experiences, all of which included the colorful and rich cultural history of the Mustang in film and American Culture. The culmination was the adrenaline-pumping 4D thrill experience, where attendees were whisked around in their moving seats, with sensory air and scent aspects as the Mustang traversed an incredible course in a futuristic world where the Mustang came through as the ‘winner’. For those who were able to experience this very worthy and state-of-the-art tribute to one of the quintessential American Icons, it was truly unforgettable and will live in our memories for eternity.
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