The California Special Ford Mustang is galloping back to showrooms as a 2019 model, the automaker announced Sunday.
“When Mustang first hit the streets in 1964, owners clubs sprang up around the country, with many regional dealers creating their own personalized pony car designs,” Ford said in its news release. “One — inspired by the 1967 Shelby Gt notchback coupe prototype — came to be called the California Special.
“That original version featured black-out grille, fog lamps and a side racing stripe that ended ahead of a new rear fender scoop. It wore a Shelby-inspired spoiler, custom tail lamps and twist-lock hood fasteners.”
For the 2019 model year, the California Special Mustang returns with a 5.0-liter V8 engine linked to a 6-speed manual transmission with rev-matching technology, variable exhaust adjustment, 1,000-watt, 12-channel Bang & Olufsen Play audio system, and in three new but vintage-inspired paint colors.
“No doubt, 2019 is an exciting year for Mustang enthusiasts, especially fans of our California Special and Bullitt models,” Corey Holter, Ford car group marketing manager, was quoted in the news release. “This year further targets hardcore Mustang enthusiasts. (with) intense new colors.”
Those colors are Velocity Blue, Need for Green and the Dark Highland Green shade featured on the Bullitt.
The 2019 California Special gets a fading-stripe body-side accent, Ebony Black and Race Red script badging on the trunk, blacked-out open grille and Mustang Performance Pack 1 splitter. It rides on special five-spoke painted machined wheels.
Inside, seats are black and Miko suede-trimmed with embossed GT/CS insignia and red stitching.
Ford said the 2019 Mustangs will be available this summer.
