had heard about all the American muscle cars. It seemed everyone in town wanted to see and hear these great machines. Even the local Almere newspaper came out to write a report.

And, of course, it was time for our group's sticker party--in which all participants put the run stickers on their cars, always a fun activity, the culmination of months, often years, of planning and preparation. Although the trip was originally envisioned with a maximum of 20 cars, our final count for Shelby Run Europe 2012 was 13 "specialty" cars and two regular support vehicles, with drivers and navigators representing four countries and five U.S. states. We were ready to hit the road!

Tom Dankel is president and Chief Automotive Archaeologist at Global Auto Source. He joined his first car club at the tender age of five (a Mustang club, with dad). As a teen, he was the only Ford fanatic among his friends, which resulted in spirited arguments that continue to this day. An enthusiastic ambassador for the Shelby lifestyle, he joined the Shelby American Automobile Club at 19 and was a founding member of Team Shelby in 2008.

Sidebar: Shelby Run Europe 2012 Participants

Daniel and Marji Bashaw (California)--2007 Shelby GT500 Super Snake

Patrick and Rick Bouthoorn (Netherlands) --2007 Shelby GT500
Astrid and Cheyenne Bouthoorn (Netherlands) --2008 Shelby Terlingua

JT, Iris, and Lindsey Bowyer (Texas)--2007 Shelby GT500 40^th Anniversary

Michael and Dale Bruno (New Jersey)--2007 Shelby GT

Sean and Lauren Cook (Texas)--Ford Galaxy rental (support, luggage, and parts hauler)

Tom Dankel and daughter Victoria (California)--2008 Shelby GT500KR

Quentin and Matt Durward (South Dakota)--2008 Shelby GT500KR

Dris Hammadi and Jeroen Stahlie (Netherlands)--2008 Shelby GT500

William Hoscheit (New Jersey)--2012 Shelby GT500

Joey and Ellie Limongelli (New York)--2006 Ford GT (shared with Chris and Karen)

Anders, Charlotte, and Martin Nannerup (Denmark)--2008 Mustang Bullitt

Ron and Helaina Semmler (New Jersey)--2008 Shelby GT

Pierre Vangeen (Switzerland)--2008 Shelby GT500KR