We pride ourselves on the fact that many of our employees are Mustang enthusiasts, just like you. Looking around the parking lot, we’ve got more Ponies than a Texas rodeo. Many AmericanMuscle staffers spend their weekends at the track or local car shows, or in the garage installing their latest purchase, because working here does have its benefits.

Two AmericanMuscle employees that share our taste in performance are Karen Baum and Dave Kaeck. Between the two of them, they have owned a total of 15 Mustangs. These customer service reps are just a couple of AmericanMuscle’s on-the-phone Mustang experts. They’re also drag racers who recently took their AM-prepped ‘Stangs to a filming of SPEED TV’s ultra-popular Pass Time game show at Maryland International Raceway.

Filmed on location at many of America’s favorite grass roots drag strips, Pass Time challenges two contestants to “guess the time, win the cash – it’s that easy,” according to show host Brett Wagner. Playing against famed Texas-based racecar chassis builder Ken “The House” Herring, contestants attempt to predict the 1/4-mile drag times of 10 random cars that pull up to the line in front of them. After each run the player with the closest time wins, and the player winning the most money at the end takes the entire $2,000 pot.

Always ready and willing to do whatever it takes to spend a day at the track, I convinced the boss to let me and a couple of our cameras follow our friends three hours south from our home in Philly to get a behind the scenes look at SPEED TV’s first-ever game show and, of course, the adrenaline-charged acceleration at MIR.

Trackside at MIR
Pulling through the gates at MIR in Dave’s supercharged ’07 GT Vert, with Karen’s ’03 GT Coupe inside the trailer in front of us, it was immediately clear the day would reveal some serious speed. The MIR paddock was packed with turn track-only cars of every make and model rolling off the back of trailers, their owners hoping for a shot to make a run at the strip on the show.

Show producer Ray Iddings oversees the filming of nine episodes in two days every time their crew takes over a track. Sadly, not everyone that shows up for the event gets to run. At MIR, it seemed as though everyone with two thumbs and a throttle preregistered for a shot to be one of the 110 rides selected to appear on the show. Producers looked over the field of 500 cars and carefully picked their favorites to put up their best times on-air. For our guys, it would be a split decision with Karen’s naturally aspirated black ’03 GT picked from the crowd, while Dave was forced to sit and watch. With one in five cars selected, we figured getting 50% of our ground force on the show was doing pretty darn good.

For the rest of the day Karen ushered her car through the mandatory tech inspection and readied herself for her national television debut. Meanwhile, Dave drowned himself in tears as I escaped to get a behind the scenes look at how SPEED can turn drag racing into a game show.

Behind the Scenes
Contrary to what some may think, Pass Time is a genuine game show where contestants are handpicked by the show producer weeks ahead of time, invited to a regional filming, and then sequestered until their episode is filmed. That’s right, sequestered; just like jurors in high-profile court cases. (Think OJ and the late Michael Jackson.) As the morning of the show arrives, contestants receive instructions from the show producer and his staff before traveling to the track where they are confined until their episode begins.

In order to shoot nine episodes in two days, Pass Time organizers show up to the track with a small army. On-air personalities and key members of the crew fly in from destinations across the country, while additional crew members are recruited locally. In all, more than 40 people contribute to the show’s success. With the director, producer and select sound and video crew cramped into the way-cool mobile command headquarters, the team conducts a carefully orchestrated symphony that lasts approximately 45 minutes per 22-minute finished episode.

For our part, after waiting patiently though most of the day and into the night, Karen finally got her turn at the track. Following a round of beauty shots, her Mustang crept into the left lane to show its stuff. And after a brief interview with the host and a round of questions from the contestants, she was 1/4 mile away and going like a bat outta hell. Of course, if you want to know more about Karen’s run, you’ll have to tune in when her episode airs in February, or ask Karen yourself.
For a closer behind the scenes look at AmericanMuscle on Pass Time, check out our photos and video from MIR. And to watch Pass Time on SPEED, go to http://www.speedtv.com/programs/pass-time/ for the latest programming schedule.

For those of you that made it to the show, if you look closely enough, you might be able to see yourself on the big screen!

By popular demand, the AmericanMuscle Girls come to life in this full-color video. Rachel, Cat, Kelsie, Jamie, Laura and Naomi all show off their sleek exterior styling and sharp curves. It’s up to you to figure out what’s under the hood…

When you boil it all down to a meaty pulp, the AmericanMuscle.com Car Show is still about one thing: the original pony car. Marked by 150 of the sweetest ‘Stangs to pound pavement, there is plenty of American muscle for even the most addicted Mustang fans.

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, we bring you this video that features the best of the best from the AmericanMuscle.com Car Show. From custom paint and chrome, to uncorked Ford power, these Mustangs are both beautiful and bad a$$.

Perspective is something that’s often overlooked in life. The view from behind the wheel of your Mustang is quite familiar. So is the sight of it sitting in your driveway. If you’re in a club, images of your Pony running in a large herd are not easily forgotten. But when you’re staring more than 500 feet straight down at your top-tuned and polished-to-perfection Mustang surrounded by 150 equally awesome ‘Stangs at the 1st Annual American Muscle Car Show and Charity Event, that image will change your perspective.

Sunday, July 19, the streets of Malvern, PA were flooded with Mustangs from across the East as new and old pony cars converged on American Muscle’s summertime blowout. With a lot stuffed full with Mustangs of every generation and color, people walked the grounds checking out the precious metal, free dyno in action and the American Muscle Girls, just to name a few. Of course, I’m not saying which I liked best.

After looking at these pictures taken from a helicopter, next year I’m thinking we should park cars on the lawn, and maybe the roof. Any suggestions?

The cars at the 1st Annual American Muscle Car Show and Charity Event were not the only things turning heads. Torch Red and Tungsten Grey were accented by shades of blonde, brunette, and even red locks of long flowing hair as the American Muscle Girls made their way through the show. Rachel, Laura, Jamie, Cat, Kelsie and Naomi were definitely popular with the 1,000-plus mustang fans at the July 19th show.

Below are some pics of our ladies showing off their, um… Headlights. Which AM Girl would you most like to polish your bumper?

Even the crew at American Muscle was blown away to see the quality of Mustangs flowing onto our lot for the July 19th show. From original Shelbys to Roush’s latest topless creation, it was a visual feast for any Mustang fan. After two hours of registration the once-roomy AM lot was suddenly filled wall-to-wall with Ford’s finest. In the end, only a few could take home the very first awards from American Muscle.

Here’s a list, and a look at our winners:

Tony Massimano: Best in Show, and Best Pre-’79 Mustang: Fully Customized ‘69 Mach 1

Rick Bauman: President’s Choice Award: ‘05 GT, Torch Red with back trim

Tommy Lee: Best ‘05 to 2010 Mustang: ‘06 GT Convertible, black with custom under hood airbrush

Mike Baer: Best ‘99 to ‘04 Mustang: ‘04 MystiChrome Cobra convertible

Donnie Huth: Best ‘94 to ‘98 Mustang: ‘97 Cobra

Rick Nagle: Best ‘79 to ‘93 Mustang: ‘93 GT black

Q: Now that you know our favorites, tell us yours! Check out the complete show gallery and leave a comment on this post letting us know which car you would have given the AM trophies to.

From the beginning the American Muscle Car Show was set to be more than just a show. Company founders, backed by enthusiastic employees, pushed to give something back to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. The initial goal was to raise $5,000 to Homes for Our Troops, a charity that buys or builds homes for disabled veterans. After two previous donations, the team at AM decided to recruit its customers, vendors, families and friends to join the cause and give to this noble charity at the show.

With American Muscle pledging to donate 100 percent of all show proceeds, the effort was fueled by the AM Girls selling raffle tickets for some seriously sweet parts donated by many top Mustang performance brands like SCT, Roush, Eibach, dba, Hawk, Pypes Exhaust, BBK, Maximum Motorsports, aFe, MagnaFlow, Motive, Edelbrock, PA Performance, H&R Springs and more. Also adding to that total were t-Shirt and food sales, plus personal contributions from AM employees.

At the end of the day, with all donations counted, American Muscle wrote a check for $8015 to Homes for our Troops. Joining American Muscle in supporting this great cause, the members of the Garden State Region Mustang Club voted unanimously to give a generous donation of $850 to the charity. Another donation of $500 was received from an anonymous American Muscle supplier bringing the total joint donation to $9,365.

Accepting on behalf of the charity were Frank and Karen McKee of Springfield, PA. After receiving the very large check, Mr. McKee expressed sincere appreciation saying he was humbled by the donation. Personally, I think we’re more humbled by our troops.

Having taken a peek at the list of cars that are going to attend, I can tell you there’s going to be something for everyone, unless you’re a Mopar Man. From a few top-tuned classics, to some of the latest Ponies to hit the street and the track, we’ll have the full spectrum from the Blue Oval’s original muscle car right here for you to see.

As the show draws closer, my question to you is, what are you looking forward to seeing most? The cars? The dyno? The AM Girls? Or maybe the raffle for some of the latest and greatest parts to fit on a Mustang? Let us know now so we can give you the show you want…

Click Here To Register

American Muscle is holding its 1st Annual Charity Car Show on Sunday, July 19th, 2009. The car show is being held to raise money for the Homes For Our Troops charity.

The American Muscle Charity Car Show will feature a variety of fun filled events including a live DJ, free food, sexy AM girls, contests, prizes, dyno pulls, kids activities, and much much more! All proceeds from the car show including registration fees and a percentage of the day’s sales will go toward helping the families of wounded combat veterans. Stay tuned to the American Muscle Blog for updates and event information as it unfolds!

The event is open to all, but car exhibition space is limited to the first 150 registrations, so pre-register now to guarantee your spot! Click here to go to the registration page!

Time is closing fast and Silvermustangs.com’s Silver In The Hills 2: Freedom Cruise will be here before you know it. Silvermustangs has a great weekend of fun and Mustangs planned to entice you out there! This year’s SITH is taking place May 16th-17th and is benefiting the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation (VFW) and all makes, models, and paint colors are invited to attend!

The time is now, so start planning if you want to attend the weekend of fun. Also, American Muscle donated nearly $500 worth of goodies to be raffled off at Freedom Cruise, so that is even more incentive to attend!

For more information and to register visit: SITH2: Freedom Cruise