So when you see a red Mustang rolling on BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, you can’t help but feel that iconic sense of pride.
But yellow Mustangs? That’s a different kind of story, and that’s what makes them special. Unexpected yet unmistakable, they carry the same spirit but with a brighter twist. See one cruise by, and you can’t help but smile.
Yellow has been part of the Mustang DNA since the very beginning. In 1964, Ford offered 16 paint options, including two shades of yellow: “Phoenician Yellow” (M1633) and “Sunlight Yellow” (M1729), both soft and pastel in tone. “Phoenician Yellow” was so light it was nearly cream. Pastels ruled the mid-60s, and Ford’s palette reflected that mood.
As years passed and trends shifted, yellow became a rarity across the industry, but the Mustang stood out. Across its 58-year history, 42 unique shades of yellow have been offered, some returning multiple times. The result? A colour that stayed rare enough to feel exclusive, yet iconic enough to endure.
A Bright Start
Colour-specific car clubs are common today, but that wasn’t always the case. At this year’s Carlisle Ford Nationals, the world’s largest all-Ford show, there were groups for black, blue, and red Mustangs. But the trend started with yellow.
The Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) was first. This year marked its 20th consecutive appearance at Carlisle. We spoke with Kevin Cluck, the club’s president, about how it all began.
“We were the first ones, and then everybody else followed suit. Yellow is a trailblazing color, for sure. It takes a special kind of person to own a yellow muscle car. You have to be energetic and outgoing, with a bubbly personality. Most of us are very happy-go-lucky people.” – Kevin Cluck, President and Member No. 650
Founded in 2001 by Steve Shraeder as a forum on StangNet.com, the group started with just 30 members. Word spread quickly, and meetups followed, the first at a Ford dealership in North Carolina, and the second at Carlisle Ford Nationals in 2002.
Today, the YMR shines brighter than ever, with over 12,000 members worldwide. The club has its own website, database, Twitter page, and multiple Facebook groups, with TikTok soon to join the mix. It’s a global celebration of one colour that refuses to blend in.
The First Rumble
Kevin’s story with Ford began long before his role as club president.
“I was about six, walking in town with my grandfather, when I heard this rumble. Mustangs have a very distinct exhaust, and you hear them before you see them. I whipped around and watched it take a corner, an early 70s Mach 1. My jaw dropped and I asked my grandpa ‘what is that?’ He said, ‘that there, boy, is a Ford.’ My mind has been hooked on that rumble ever since.” – Kevin Cluck
Born into a Ford family in North Platte, Nebraska, Kevin’s passion was passed down through generations. Since that first encounter, he’s owned five Mustangs, each with its own story. His first, a 1995 GT in “Canary Yellow," was a personal project, fitted with wings, body kits, and a tuned engine.
His current pride and joy is a 2003 Saleen S281-E Mustang Speedster in “Speedlab Yellow," once Steve Saleen’s own car, and fully loaded with every available option. To this masterpiece, Kevin has added absolutely nothing.
One Big Yellow Family
The Yellow Mustang Registry’s success comes down to simplicity, and inclusivity. The only requirement to join? Own a Mustang that’s at least 50% yellow. Whether you’re an expert builder or a first-time owner, you’re part of the family.
“We have members who build drag cars that aren't street legal, showing up to events with people that just bought a car off the lot last week. And they’re all welcome! Also, once you're part of the family, you're in for life. If you sell your Mustang for a different car, you're still a YMR family member, and you're welcome to all our events.” – Kevin Cluck
Unlike many car clubs, YMR avoids the competitive edge. There are no “best in show” trophies, just creative awards that keep things fun and friendly.
“I like to do awards like ‘Craziest Trunk Decoration’ or ‘Wildest Rearview Mirror Ornament.’ Things that fuel people’s creativity. I want the group to throw the money subject out of the window. All we care about is that you show up with a good attitude. We're not here to feel elite. We’re here to have fun and enjoy the fellowship of one another.” – Kevin Cluck
For the record, the recent “Craziest Rearview Mirror” winner featured a miniature aquarium, complete with live fish and decorations.
What’s Your Number?
Members of the Yellow Mustang Registry are identified by number. Founding members hold the lowest digits, and each new addition gets their own numbered decal. As of June 2022, the club’s latest member, Travis Warden of Texas, proudly received No. 12093.
The announcement post on Facebook, filled with “welcome to the family” comments, each signed with its author’s number, captures the club’s contagious sense of belonging.
At Carlisle, we also met John K. Jennings, Member No. 4920, who made the trip from Detroit to showcase his 2003 Cobra Coupe wearing BFGoodrich g-Force™ COMP-2™ tires and finished in a dazzling “Zinc Yellow.”
“I like all the yellows, but Zinc Yellow is special. I love that it’s kind of sporty and impossible to ignore. Even at YMR events, I stand out.” – John K. Jennings, Member No. 4920
The Sunny Side
Like many enthusiast communities, the Yellow Mustang Registry has evolved into something far bigger than a car club. It’s a global fellowship, one built on optimism, colour, and connection.
“Yellow makes you feel alive. It's a bright, happy color. And it draws the eye, especially on a car. When I’m on my own, a few people always stop to ask me about my Mustang. But when I’m with the group – for example, we drove through Gatlinburg, Tennessee together recently – everyone drops what they were doing to walk outside and watch us cruise by. It’s an event. A highlight of the day. The jaws in town definitely drop.” – Kevin Cluck
Those dropped jaws and curious stares spark the next generation of enthusiasts.
“I always think to myself ‘that kid could be a future Yellow Mustang Registry president’ or even a future Ford exec or designer. All it takes is inspiration. The sky's the limit.” – Kevin Cluck