Ford MoCo has been achieving all sorts of milestones and reaching new thresholds for the Ford Mustang throughout its lifespan. Most recently, the company celebrated the
production of its 9,000,000th Mustang, an unparalleled achievement for most production cars whose lifespan is normally short-lived.
That announcement came with the disclaimer that #9,000,000 would be shipped to an anonymous dealership in “the heartland of America.” Well, the owner has been tracked down.
The iconic Mustang arrived to Gookin Ford in Story City, Iowa where dealership owner John Gookin and the buyer’s daughter were patiently waiting to surprise the soon-to-be owner, Thomas Krumm. But Krumm called the dealership ahead of time and changed the time of his planned pickup, forcing Gookin to spoil the surprise.
“He didn't know until (Monday) night," Gookin said in an interview with local publication The Tribune. "I called him and asked him to come pick it up here at 1 p.m., and he said depending on the weather, that he might be in the field."
Krumm, a local farmer, had planned to use his week productively and do some work on his property. When Gookin called to confirm Krumm’s presence at the surprise ceremony, Krumm was planting corn. “I had to spill the beans,” Gookin said in an interview with The Tribune.
The Mustang, a Vista Blue GT convertible, was ordered as a replacement to Krumm’s older Mustang. The event was filled with news media, Ford execs, and plenty of locals. Krumm was presented with a plaque from the Ford execs specifying the significance of his Mustang.
“Mustang is an icon, and the 9 millionth Mustang is a milestone we’re very proud of,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang Brand Manager. “So many people have contributed to Mustang’s proud 44-year heritage possible – from incredible Mustangs owners and enthusiasts to our partners at AAI where Mustangs are built to Ford’s Product Development and Ford Division teams,” he said.
While his plans to plant corn for the day had been ruined, Krumm was ecstatic about hisfortune. "I think it's kind of neat," Krumm told The Tribute. "It's a one-in-a-million chance, and it's just my luck that it would be the nine millionth one."
“Having been a Mustang fanatic my entire life, I couldn’t be more excited that my dad is receiving the 9 millionth Mustang,” Rachael Krumm, the owner’s daughter and member of the Iowa National Guard, said to The Tribune. “I am thrilled that I get to see his Mustang GT and its cool new features before I leave for Iraq.”
Krumm comes from a long-line of blue-blooded Ford Mustang “fanatics.” His daughter saved up enough money to purchase one of the pony cars when she was 17, and his brother works at the Kansas City Ford assembly plant.
[Source] MidIowaNews.com
[Photo Credit] MidIowaNews.com
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