2024 California Special Returns on S650 Ford Mustang GT
By Evan J. Smith
Since it’s inception in 1964, the Ford Mustang has been a sports car that suits the needs of many enthusiasts. From daily drivers to track super stars, Mustang is capable, and often a winning, performer. Part of the success comes from special packages offered by Ford Motor Company. These range from appearance to handling and also horsepower-enhancing offerings like the Shelby GT350, Mach 1 and the Shelby GT500.
Standing out on the road has been a hallmark of the Ford Mustang® experience for 59 years. And now, as Mustang prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Ford is putting a modern, vibrant spin on the popular California Special®, a package that’s also been popular with NMRA and NMCA racers including Samantha Moore, who won back-to-back championships with her familiar CS Mustang.
“The original California Special package was geared toward California’s optimistic and carefree driving culture. We’re refocusing on those elements for the 2024 Mustang GT California Special, which brings vibrant style that looks as at home on Colorado Boulevard as it does on the Pacific Coast Highway,” said Mustang Brand Manager Joe Bellino. “Rave Blue is such a distinct and exciting color, it really does make the California Special stand out not only from other Mustang models, but from previous California Special models.”
The all-new S650 California Special package features eye-catching Rave Blue details. The signature color appears on the nostril intakes, which flank a new horizontal-slat grille complete with low gloss black strakes. The headlights are surrounded by black bezels while Mustang GT California Special-specific graphics in Medium Light Rave Blue and High- and Low-Gloss Black appear on the lower body sides.
The California Special package is available with two 19.0-inch wheel options. The standard Carbonized Gray wheels have a GT/CS pad-printed logo in Rave Blue, while the optional Performance Pack wheel combines a machined face with Rave Blue pockets. The 5.0-liter engine badge on the front fenders and the GT badge at the back add Rave Blue outlines to black centers – like the GT Performance Package, there is a Performance Pack-specific badge. The GT/CS badge in the grille is also finished in Rave Blue.
Blue accents are prominent throughout the California Special package’s interior, where perforated Navy Pier upholstery and Ebony Black leather covers the seats. Further elevating its style is dual-color contrast stitching with Raptor Blue and Metal Gray threads that extend to the dash and doors. The same stitching is also available for the steering wheel and center console. A California Special IP badge and GT/CS floor mats round out the interior changes.
“Mustang has a rich well of special edition models to draw from, and we’ll continue to reinvent them for a new audience,” Bellino said. “From the track-ready Dark Horse to the world-beating Mustang GTD, Ford is elevating the Mustang for all audiences. The new, modern Mustang GT California Special is a perfect example of our drive to build a Mustang for every customer.”
The California Special package adds $1,995 to the price of a Mustang GT Premium and is available in Coupe and Convertible body styles with either the six-speed manual gearbox or the optional 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2024 Mustang GT California Special makes its public debut on November 16 at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Order banks open today, and customers can build their own Mustang with the California Special package at Ford.com.
• The California Special package returns for 2024 Mustang GT Premium fastback coupe and convertible models, celebrating visual cues of the 1968 original
• The Mustang GT California Special’s brilliant Rave Blue styling provides visual pop on the package-specific wheels, nostril intake surrounds, and body side graphics and accentuates the sculpted lines on the all-new Mustang
• Order banks for the 2024 Mustang GT California Special are open and customers can configure their Mustang at Ford.com
By Evan J. Smith
Since it’s inception in 1964, the Ford Mustang has been a sports car that suits the needs of many enthusiasts. From daily drivers to track super stars, Mustang is capable, and often a winning, performer. Part of the success comes from special packages offered by Ford Motor Company. These range from appearance to handling and also horsepower-enhancing offerings like the Shelby GT350, Mach 1 and the Shelby GT500.
Standing out on the road has been a hallmark of the Ford Mustang® experience for 59 years. And now, as Mustang prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Ford is putting a modern, vibrant spin on the popular California Special®, a package that’s also been popular with NMRA and NMCA racers including Samantha Moore, who won back-to-back championships with her familiar CS Mustang.
“The original California Special package was geared toward California’s optimistic and carefree driving culture. We’re refocusing on those elements for the 2024 Mustang GT California Special, which brings vibrant style that looks as at home on Colorado Boulevard as it does on the Pacific Coast Highway,” said Mustang Brand Manager Joe Bellino. “Rave Blue is such a distinct and exciting color, it really does make the California Special stand out not only from other Mustang models, but from previous California Special models.”
The all-new S650 California Special package features eye-catching Rave Blue details. The signature color appears on the nostril intakes, which flank a new horizontal-slat grille complete with low gloss black strakes. The headlights are surrounded by black bezels while Mustang GT California Special-specific graphics in Medium Light Rave Blue and High- and Low-Gloss Black appear on the lower body sides.
The California Special package is available with two 19.0-inch wheel options. The standard Carbonized Gray wheels have a GT/CS pad-printed logo in Rave Blue, while the optional Performance Pack wheel combines a machined face with Rave Blue pockets. The 5.0-liter engine badge on the front fenders and the GT badge at the back add Rave Blue outlines to black centers – like the GT Performance Package, there is a Performance Pack-specific badge. The GT/CS badge in the grille is also finished in Rave Blue.
Blue accents are prominent throughout the California Special package’s interior, where perforated Navy Pier upholstery and Ebony Black leather covers the seats. Further elevating its style is dual-color contrast stitching with Raptor Blue and Metal Gray threads that extend to the dash and doors. The same stitching is also available for the steering wheel and center console. A California Special IP badge and GT/CS floor mats round out the interior changes.
“Mustang has a rich well of special edition models to draw from, and we’ll continue to reinvent them for a new audience,” Bellino said. “From the track-ready Dark Horse to the world-beating Mustang GTD, Ford is elevating the Mustang for all audiences. The new, modern Mustang GT California Special is a perfect example of our drive to build a Mustang for every customer.”
The California Special package adds $1,995 to the price of a Mustang GT Premium and is available in Coupe and Convertible body styles with either the six-speed manual gearbox or the optional 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2024 Mustang GT California Special makes its public debut on November 16 at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Order banks open today, and customers can build their own Mustang with the California Special package at Ford.com.
• The California Special package returns for 2024 Mustang GT Premium fastback coupe and convertible models, celebrating visual cues of the 1968 original
• The Mustang GT California Special’s brilliant Rave Blue styling provides visual pop on the package-specific wheels, nostril intake surrounds, and body side graphics and accentuates the sculpted lines on the all-new Mustang
• Order banks for the 2024 Mustang GT California Special are open and customers can configure their Mustang at Ford.com
