The Ford Mustang California Special, now also in Europe

Antonio Roncero @roncero_antonio 7 March 2022 2 min.

The Ford Mustang California Special crosses the pond and arrives on the European market for the first time, expanding the range of the American sports car par excellence.

Available only as a convertible with a fabric roof, but with the exciting V8 petrol engine and a special design package that enhances the spirit of the American sports car: the Ford Mustang California Special arrives in Europe. A car that represents, for the brand and for many enthusiasts, “the true pleasure of driving and freedom on the open road”.

To understand this California Special version, we have to go back to the birth of the Mustang in 1964. Very soon after, the model became a true icon, with owners’ clubs across America, to the point that dealerships created their own custom designs. And one of them, inspired by the 1967 Shelby GT, was named California Special.

In this new reinterpretation of the car that Ford first produced as a limited edition in 1968, the darkened grille of the original returns, now with a black-finished honeycomb mesh and displaying the GT/CS badge in red. Lower side stripes in black, red and grey are also added, extending towards the rear of the vehicle and incorporating a “California Special” inscription that becomes especially visible in bright light conditions.

https://youtu.be/WtKU2C-v4pk

A very special Mustang, both outside… and inside

Compared with the Ford Mustang on which it is based, this edition features a larger front splitter, and optional rear side air intakes improve the aerodynamics of this version, which includes exclusive 19-inch wheels finished in carbon grey. “California Special” badges are added both on the rear and on the suspension towers. Among the nine body colours available are the distinctive Grabber Blue and Cyber Orange, for the contrast they offer with the black roof.

The interior also reflects the special character of the Mustang California Special, with heated and cooled seats as standard. The upholstery is leather, with door inserts in a synthetic material made from recycled polyester. Embossed GT/CS logos on the floor mats and the Mustang California Special badge on the dashboard, finished in aluminium-carbon, complete the cabin details.

The Mustang California Special joins the range alongside the Mustang GT (available as coupé and convertible), the Mustang Mach 1 and the electric Mustang Mach-E and Mach E-GT. Under the bonnet it retains the 5-litre V8 engine with 450 CV, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or an efficient 10-speed automatic transmission, with which it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.