Ford CEO just teased a GT/CS badge, Mustang California Special likely to come
The new Mustang’s styling and interior electronics may not suit the tastes of traditionalist fans, but that isn’t stopping Ford from tweaking its perennial pony car with even more exterior styling and performance enhancements. The Dark Horse high-performance Mustang even added a new name to this S650-generation lineup. Now with but a tweet on X, Ford CEO Jim Farley is hinting that the model’s famous GT/CS badge could bring some Mustang heritage back into the mix.
Can’t wait to show you what’s next for Mustang… pic.twitter.com/V3FM2m8fQI
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) November 8, 2023
For those in need of a translation, that GT/CS suggests that a new Mustang GT will get the California Special treatment, which comes with 55 years of history in tow. The 1968 Mustang California Special is one of the more well known special editions from the first-generation Mustang. Just like that teaser pic, the original version was also referred to as the GT/CS; it shared cosmetic upgrades with the Shelby GT500, most notably its unique fiberglass decklid and rear spoiler. A diverse array of options were available, much like every other Mustang from that era. Over 4000 GT/CS models were made in 1968, all two-door notchback coupes.
Diversity in body configurations came with future examples of the GT/CS: The 2007-08, 2016-17, and the Europe-only 2022 Mustang GT/CS were also available in a convertible, but only based on the Mustang GT with its singular V-8 engine—far fewer options compared with the 1968 model. (These subsequent versions came with more standard features than the original, of course.) No matter the year, all later GT/CS models paid homage to the original with unique trim. For this next GT/CS for the seventh-generation, S650 Mustang, we’d expect it to follow tradition and use the GT Premium Fastback as its basis.
Other users on X, formerly Twitter, brightened up the teaser image to reveal a date of November 9—what we presume to be the official unveiling tomorrow. Hold on to your convertible tops until then!
Considering how radical the base 2024 model looks these days, the next GT/CS has to clear a high bar to differentiate itself. Maybe it should only be available in a 2-door notchback coupe body style? Just kidding … probably.
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