The News Wheel
No Comments

[Photos] 2019 Ford Mustang GT California Special Proves Once and For All That California Knows How to Party

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page

2019 Ford Mustang GT California Special

A prophet once said: California knows how to party. California. Knows how to party.

And, perhaps guided by the words of that poet—dearly-departed-but-perhaps-actually-just-living-in-Cuba—Ford this week announced that it will be bringing back the Mustang GT California Special for the 2019 model year. The announcement of the 2019 Mustang GT California Special adds even more excitement to the Mustang lineup, joining the upcoming Mustang Bullitt and preceding the return of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

“No doubt, 2019 is an exciting year for Mustang enthusiasts, especially fans of our California Special and Bullitt models,” said Corey Holter, Ford car group marketing manager. “This year further targets hardcore enthusiasts who want even more performance from Bullitt, while new technology—including rev-matching on manual transmission-equipped Mustang GT and active valve performance exhaust on the EcoBoost model—means even more thrills.”

Watch: Ford Reveals Mustang GT California Special


Available Now: Updated 2018 Ford Mustang gets tons of new features and even more power


Set to arrive this summer, the 2019 Ford Mustang GT California Special will honor the legacy of the original California Special that was started more than 50 years ago. Aesthetic touches include a fading stripe that runs from the GT 5.0 badge next to the front fender to a new rear fender scoop, as well as a blacked-out open grille, the front splitter from the Mustang Performance Pack 1, five-spoke painted machined wheels, and an Ebony Black and Race Red script California Special badge on the trunk lid. The 2019 Ford Mustang GT/CS will be offered as both a fastback and a convertible model.

To help further set it apart, the California Special will be offered with two new colors—Velocity Blue and Need for Green—as well as the Mustang Bullitt’s Dark Highland Green.

“These intense new colors trace back to Mustang’s classic colors of the late 1960s and early 1970s,” said Holter. “While colors like Shadow Black and Magnetic Gray will still be popular for those who prefer to go stealth, these new colors pack a brighter, more vibrant punch for 2019.”

Ford Mustang GT California Special

Inside, the Mustang GT California Special gets Miko suede-trimmed seats with red accent stitching and GT/CS emblem embossments. It will also mark the first time a Mustang has been equipped with Bang & Olufsen’s B&O PLAY audio system, which features a 1,000-watt 10-channel amp and 12 speakers.

Performance-wise, the 2019 Ford Mustang GT California Special gets the 460-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 mated to a six-speed manual with advanced rev-matching for more precise shifting and enhanced control. It will also feature the Mustang GT’s active exhaust mode and quiet start mode—not that you’d want to do anything that’d make you less likely to be seen in this thing. It is suggested that the Ford Mustang GT/CS will be also be available with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission, though this has not been confirmed.

Ford last offered a Mustang GT/CS for the 2016 model year. Additional details and pricing should be forthcoming closer to the 2019 Ford Mustang GT California Special’s summer release. In the meantime, enjoy the photos below (possibly while listening to Tupac):


More Ford Performance: 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 offers exceptional on-track and on-road capabilities


Photos: 2019 Ford Mustang GT/CS

2019 Ford Mustang GT California Special

Next-Article-Button