SPECIAL EDITIONS
SPECIAL EDITIONS
PACE CAR REPLICA
The Mustang had been available for only a few months when Ford created the first unique model. Unlike future special editions that were designed primarily as sales enticements, the 19641/2 Indy Pace Car replica showcased the Mustang’s selection as the pace car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500 while also serving as a dealer sales reward.
Pacing the Indianapolis 500 was a big deal for Ford in the early days of Mustang mania. For the actual race, Holman Moody prepared three convertibles with 289 High Performance engines (not yet available to the public in the Mustang), while Ford provided thirty-five convertibles in Fleet White to transport the beauty queens during the prerace parade laps. All had blue Rally stripes and “Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car—Ford Mustang” lettering.
Taking advantage of the publicity, Ford produced Pace Car replica hardtops for a pair of dealer sales contests, with the top five performing dealers in each sales district receiving a car. Approximately 190 were built, with keys to many presented by Lee Iacocca during a “Checkered Flag” presentation in Dearborn where the dealers took delivery of their prizes.
All Pace Car replica hardtops were painted in a special code C Pace Car White. Each was equipped with white interior with blue appointments, a 260-cubic-inch V-8, and an automatic transmission. The “Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car” decals and over-the-top Rally stripes were also part of the package. Some of the cars were displayed in dealership showrooms or driven as dealer demonstrators. They were eventually sold and used as daily drivers. Most were eventually lost to the ravages of mileage and time. Today, the 1965 Mustang Pace Car replicas are considered unique and interesting collector cars.
Mustang was also selected as the Indy 500 pace car in 1979 and 1994, resulting in special replica editions.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
SPRINT
By the spring of 1966, Mustang sales were reaching the saturation point with over 1 million sold. Ford celebrated the accomplishment—and spurred late model-year sales—by creating a special model at a low price. Offered in all three Mustang body styles, the Sprint 200 came with the 200- cubic-inch six-cylinder and packaged a number of popular options: an automatic transmission, a console, wire wheel covers, rocker panel moldings, and pinstripes. A unique underhood identifier was a chrome air cleaner with a “Sprint 200” decal. Sprint models were produced from March 1966 until the end of the model year.
The spring promotion returned in 1967 as the Sports Sprint for hardtops and convertibles to add the popular louvered hood with integral turn signal indicators, rocker and tail panel moldings, wheel covers, white-wall tires, a vinyl-covered shifter handle, and a chrome air cleaner. For 1968, the Springtime Sprint was offered in two different packages. “Sprint A” was available with either a six- or eight-cylinder engine and came with side C stripes, wheel lip moldings, wheel covers, and a pop-open gas cap. “Sprint B” was limited to the V-8 and added styled steel wheels with E70 tires and grille-mounted foglights.
After skipping three years, the Sprint returned in the spring of 1972 as a red, white, and blue special edition for Mustang, Maverick, and Pinto. Offered from March to June, the Sprint Décor Option Group supplied a white hardtop or SportsRoof with blue and red trim, including “USA” shield decals on the rear quarters. Package A provided the Sprint exterior, white interior with blue seat inserts and red piping, dual racing mirrors, hub caps with trim rings, and E70 white sidewall tires. Package B added the competition suspension, including F60 tires on Magnum 500 rims.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
CALIFORNIA SPECIAL
In February 1968, California Ford dealers started marketing their own special-edition Mustang, called the “California Special.” The idea came from a Shelby styling prototype known as “Little Red,” a 1968 Mustang hardtop with the Shelby rear end treatment and side scoops. Looking for a unique model for the all-important California sales district, which sold 20 percent of all Mustangs, Southern California District Sales Manager Lee Grey approached Ford about producing a special hardtop. A GT/SC, for “GT Sports Coupe,” that was under development at Ford eventually became the GT/CS for “California Special.”
Shelby Automotive’s Fred Goodell, who had created the “Little Red” hardtop earlier, got the assignment to oversee the engineering and production of the GT/CS. Two prototypes were hand-built at Shelby American’s race shop and presented to California Ford executives for review. While the car was originally intended for southern California, the decision was eventually made to market the GT/CS throughout the entire state. One magazine ad included a photo of Carroll Shelby and a California Special with the headline, “Only Mustang and Carroll Shelby could make this happen!”
The GT/CS was primarily an appearance package, adding Marchal or Lucas foglights in the front grille, twist-type hood locks, side scoops, a pop-open gas cap, and the Shelby rear end with a spoiler and 1965 Thunderbird taillights. All 1968 Mustang exterior colors were available, with contrasting white, black, red, or blue side stripes that ended in die-cut “GT/CS” lettering on the scoops. Most California Specials were powered by the two-barrel 289 and featured an automatic drivetrain, but all Mustang engines were available. A few were built with the 428 Cobra Jet.
Final assembly of the 1968 California Specials took place at Ford’s San Jose assembly plant between January 18 and July 18, 1968.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
POLICE CARS
In the early 1980s, police departments turned to the 5.0-liter High Output Mustang as an alternative pursuit vehicle to the full-size Ford Crown Victoria, which had become underpowered due to tightening emissions standards. Disappointed after testing 1979 Camaros, the California Highway Patrol ordered over four hundred 1982 Mustangs, mostly hardtops, with the 5.0-liter engine, four-speed manual transmission, and special equipment that included a calibrated speedometer, single-key locks, and a full-size spare tire.
Recognizing the appeal (and sales potential) of the 5.0 Mustang as a pursuit vehicle, Ford created a Special Service Package (SSP) for 1983 Mustangs, adding a two-piece VASCAR speedometer cable and radio noise suppression to the 1982 CHP package. The SSP would continue through 1993, eventually being utilized by over thirty highway and state patrols, with California, Florida, and Texas employing the highest number. SSP Mustangs were also ordered by city police departments, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, US Border Patrol, and other federal agencies.
During the SSP’s eleven-year production span, Ford adapted the package to fit pursuit needs. From 1986–88, the SSP Mustangs were also equipped with more durable silicone hoses, aircraft-type hose clamps, a reinforced front floor pan, front disc brake rotor shields, a Kevlar drive belt, and 15×7-inch wheels ranging from heavy-duty steel to ten-hole aluminum. The 1989–93 models are considered the best with their combination of a 225-horsepower fuel-injected 5.0, automatic or five-speed manual transmission, 8.8-inch rear end (first used in 1986), and all available SSP equipment, including a choice of calibrated speedometers (140 or 160 miles per hour), a heater hose inlet restrictor, and an engine oil cooler.
After their service life, the SSP Mustangs were typically sold at auction, with some purchased for drag racing or high-performance street duty. Today, many have been restored to their original highway patrol colors with emergency lights and other equipment.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
ASC/MCLAREN
In 1981, Ford teamed up with McLaren to build a turbocharged Mustang hatchback concept car with air dams and wide-body fenders. The relationship would lead to production ASC/McLaren Mustangs later in the decade.
After building Capris from 1984–86, ASC/McLaren switched to Mustangs in 1987 for a four-year run of two-seater roadsters. Ford embraced the ASC/McLaren Mustang, seeing it as an upscale, Mercedes SL–like vehicle in contrast to the “boy-racer” look of the Mustang GT convertible.
Thanks to Ford’s blessing, each ASC/McLaren Mustang started life on the Ford assembly line as a black 5.0 hardtop because it was easier for ASC to chop off the roof than adapt a convertible. Hardtops destined for ASC/McLaren conversion also received convertible chassis bracing and a GT front fascia. At the ASC facility in Livonia, Michigan, the roof was removed from windshield to trunk, additional bracing was added, and the windshield was slanted back 20 degrees for a sleeker appearance. ASC also added the Cambria cloth top that, when lowered, disappeared beneath a hard tonneau cover. After the conversion, which included considerable sheetmetal work at the rear quarters and the addition of the ASC/McLaren ground effects, the cars were stripped and repainted using Sikkens colors in a monochromatic theme. Inside, ASC reconstructed the rear-seat area with Corvette-like storage compartments, covered the factory GT seats with leather, and added a custom console that stretched into the rear compartment area.
By moving to the more popular Mustang, ASC/McLaren nearly tripled convertible sales—for a total of 1,806—during 1987–90. The total could have been more if not for a dispute over licensing and royalty agreements. Only sixty-five were sold in 1990, the ASC/McLaren Mustang’s final year.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
BULLITT
In 2001, with the New Edge–styled SN-95 Mustang in its third year and no plans for another styling update until a scheduled makeover in 2005, the Mustang needed a shot of adrenaline to spur interest and sales. Under chief engineer Art Hyde, Team Mustang was searching for a special edition when it fell right into their laps. For the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mustang design manager Sean Tant created a Mustang themed around the 1968 fastback driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt, a 1968 movie known for its San Francisco chase scene. When Tant’s Highland Green car drew rave reviews, Hyde and Team Mustang knew they had found their special edition.
For the 2001 Bullitt GT, Team Mustang could have simply added Highland Green paint and vintage-style five-spoke wheels. However, it took the concept much further, tapping into the 1960s vibe with vintage-like instrument graphics and shift ball, aluminum pedal covers, and a brushed aluminum fuel filler cover. Even the C pillar, quarter panel moldings, and rocker panels were modified to create more of a vintage look.
Unlike previous Mustang special editions that were primarily appearance packages, the Bullitt GT package also added performance enhancements, starting with the 3/4-inch lower suspension with Tokico struts and shocks, unique stabilizer bars, and subframe connectors. Brembo supplied the 13-inch front brake rotors with the first-time use of red calipers. By utilizing a better flowing aluminum intake manifold with twin-inlet throttle body, high-flow mufflers, and underdrive accessory pulleys, horsepower was increased by 10 over the standard GT.
The 2001 Bullitt GT generated much-needed buzz for the Fox-4 Mustang in its waning years.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
MACH 1
The popularity and success of the 2001 Bullitt GT sent Team Mustang searching for a follow-up. This time, customization engineer Scott Hoag wanted to bring back the legendary Mach 1 name from the 1960s. Noting that Classic Design Concepts offered an aftermarket “Shaker” hood scoop nearly identical to the Ram-Air system from 1969–70, Hoag envisioned the through-the-hood scoop as the perfect styling component for a modern Mach 1.
Hoag credits “car guys” like Art Hyde and Ford vice president Chris Theodore with pushing the Mach 1 program through. Like the Bullitt GT, it was more than just a visual package. With the 2003 Cobra equipped with a supercharged version of the 4.6-liter DOHC engine, Team Mustang slipped the Mach 1 between the GT and Cobra models by bringing back the naturally aspirated DOHC engine with 305 horsepower. On top was an exact duplicate of the 1969–70 Shaker scoop with ducting underneath to funnel cooler outside air into the factory air cleaner. The Mach 1 was available with both five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions, both feeding into 3.55:1 rear gears.
In addition to the Shaker scoop, a number of other styling cues tied the new Mach 1 to the original from 1969, including a black hood and side stripes, chin spoiler, pedestal-mount rear spoiler, and new 17-inch “Heritage” wheels that resembled vintage Magnum 500s. Suspension mods lowered the Mach by 1/2 inch, and subframe connectors stiffened the chassis. Inside, appointments such as ribbed “comfort weave” vinyl seats, a Bullitt-style instrument panel, and an aluminum shift ball added to the vintage appeal.
Like the 2001 Bullitt GT, the 2003 Mach 1 was enthusiastically welcomed by the Mustang community. Ford planned to limit availability to 6,500, but nearly ten thousand were sold for 2003. The Mach 1 returned as a carryover 2004 model available in two new exterior colors.
GLOSSARY: SPECIAL EDITIONS
ASC: American Specialty Cars, a.k.a. American Sunroof Corporation, a company that specialized in aftermarket roof and body systems, including convertible conversions and moonroofs. The company produced the two-seater ASC/McLaren Mustang roadster from 1987 to 1990.
Brembo: An aftermarket manufacturer of high-performance brakes used on a number of Mustang special editions.
Bullitt: A 1968 movie starring Steve McQueen and a Highland Green Mustang fastback, known for its chase scene through San Francisco. Ford paid tribute to the movie car by producing Bullitt Mustang models in 2001, 2008–09, and 2018.
Feature car: Special monochromatic red, white, and yellow Mustang convertibles produced in 1992–93.
Grabber: The name for Ford’s brighter paint colors in the early 1970s, highlighted by a special-edition Mustang SportsRoof in 1970.
Olympic Games: International sporting events, winter and summer, held every four years. Ford honored the 1972 US Olympic teams by creating special white, red, and blue Sprint models, including Mustangs, during the 1972 model year.
Pace Car White: A special code-C shade of white paint used for the 1964 1/2 Mustang pace car replica hardtops.
SSP: The Special Service Package, created as an equipment group to prepare 1983 to 1993 5.0-liter Mustangs for high-speed pursuit and other strenuous duties when used by police departments and Highway Patrols.