The Mustang Club of America began as a club devoted solely to the first generation of Mustangs: those from 1964.5 through 1973. In 1986, MCA asked its membership and clubs whether MCA should expand to Mustangs of all years, in an attempt to expand membership and facilitate corporate sponsorship from Ford. Nearly a two to one majority of members said no to this idea. Despite the wishes of MCA's membership, the far-sighted Board of Directors approved the change anyway. MCA also began to shift their focus from concours judging to modified Mustangs, reflecting the general community's interest. Today, forty years after MCA's founding, MCA embraces stock Mustangs, Shelbys, Roushes, Saleens, and Steedas of all years, and modified Mustangs, track and driving events, and is beginning to liaison with other clubs and national events, such as the All Ford Show in Carlisle, Shelby American Automobile Club events, and the Antique Automobile Club of America.
MCA sanctions three National Shows and one Grand National Show per year, and holds a Mustang Anniversary Celebration every five years, and MCA's own Anniversary Celebration, also every five years