Event Coverage: 23rd Annual Fabulous Fords Forever Knott's Berry Farm

Ford Streamliner With Folding Roof

Ford Ranchero

Ford Ranchero

1972 Ford Ranchero

1970 Ford Ranchero

Ford Ranchero

Ford Econoline Van's

Ford Econoline Van

Ford Van Front View

Ford Van Rear View

Ford Van Side View

Ford Bronco

Ford Bronco Grill View

Ford F-100 Rear View

Ford F-100 Front View

Ford F-100 Front View

Ford F-100 Front View

Ford Pickup Front View

Ford Badge F-1

B Pickup Front View


By Thomas Voehringer
Photography by the author


Once a year, Fords old and new gather in the huge parking lot adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm Amusement Park in Buena Park, California, for the Fabulous Fords Forever event. FordCarClubs.org happily sponsors the event that brings Blue Oval types from all over the West. Spectators can partake in everything FoMoCo, from the imported Cortina or Aussie GT to the new Ford Flex. This year, the 23rd annual FFF celebrated 100 years of Model T, 40 years of Torino, and 60 years of the F-Series. Let's hear it for the trucks, since the F-Series is the only honoree still in production.

FFF is primarily a car show, and Mustangs command the spotlight. Trucks occupy the outer fringes of the parking lot adjacent to German Capris and new Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles. There was a significant turnout of first-gen Broncos this year. All look well used and well Cared for--and a couple were painted in Stroppe Baja livery.

There were surprisingly few F-100s this year, but a neat chartreuse/white custom unibody was an eyecatcher. The mid-1950s deliveries attracted a lot of attention, while the new Econolines drew hardcore vanners.

With the Pontiac G8 "El Camino" ST on its way, Ranchero owners speculated wildly on a competitive entry from the Ford camp. Would it (could it) be Mustang-based?

The weather was beautiful, there was plenty of pretty sheetmetal to admire, and there were loads of friendly people to talk to. Admission was free and parking was cheap.

It's a great show every year. And, as a bonus, once the show is over, you can walk across the street to Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant for delicious fried chicken and killer boysenberry pie. Which makes it a family outing that's hard to beat.