The history of the Ford Mustang races back to the year 1964 when the first model hit the streets and in 1967, the Blue Oval firm created a model that was inspired by the Shelby GT notchback coupe prototype.
That model was called the California Special and by 1968, Ford had put a limited number into production. Fifty-four years later, Ford has announced the return of the iconic nameplate to the local scenery in the form of the Ford Mustang California Special and Ford SA has announced that it will be available locally albeit only in the Fastback coupe body configuration.
“The California Special is a huge part of the Mustang’s legacy in America and it symbolises so much of what Mustang stands for – the joy of driving and the freedom of the open road,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford SA.
The new Mustang California Special comes equipped with a special-edition design package that adds unique badging and detailing such as ‘colour shift’ California Special decals, honeycomb front grille in Ebony Black with GT/CS badge in race red hue.
There are lower side stripes finished in black, red and grey that incorporate the GT/CS logos. The Ford Mustang California Special can be had in eight exterior shades including Atlas Blue and Cyber Orange.
It runs on a set of 19” five-spoke alloy wheels in carbonised grey while a larger front splitter, side air scoops plus a rear fixed wing sum up the exterior tweaks.
The interior is fitted with bespoke Californa Special detailing, thanks to black suede door inserts and seats that boast the GT/CS insignia with red contrast stitching. There is an instrument panel that is finished in carbon hex aluminium with a ‘Carliforna Special’ scrip badge on the passenger side. Ford has also thrown custom floor mats with GT/CS logos into the mix.
Under the bonnet, you still find the same 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 powerplant that soldiers on unaltered. The engine makes 330 kW and 529 Nm of torque sent to the rear axle via the brand’s 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. As a side note, a 6-speed manual is offered in Europe.
To mark its exclusivity, only 100 units of the Ford Mustang California Special are headed to Mzansi and local pricing and further details will be available at launch later in the year.
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