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2005 Mustang Convertible Preview

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California Special

For more reasons than merely the current chilly climate experienced in much of the U.S., I have fond memories of a trip I took last summer to Los Angeles. Spending time in the land of eternal sunshine (other than the torrential downpours and resultant flooding it has experienced this winter, of course) isnt anything new, but rolling through Hollywood in Fords hot new Mustang coupe with everyone gawking, pointing and giving their enthusiastic thumbs up, before tackling the legendary twists and turns of Mulholland Drive, was truly special.

Come to think of it, the only thing that could top it off would be doing

Ford wisely chose the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show to introduce its sporty new 2005 Mustang Convertible. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Very similar to the coupe, the majority of new car buyers will find the 2005 Mustang Convertible mighty desirable. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

If you were expecting something radically different from the new hardtop, such as the bright red Mustang GT concept convertible that debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, youll need to wait for one of the many special editions Ford will without doubt offer in the years to come. The majority

The V8-powered Mustang Convertible will get the GT designation. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Of course, along with the many styling cues, the drop-top Mustang inherits the new coupes updated architecture, athletic V6 and V8 powertrains, stylish interior treatments, and all-American attitude.

Like the coupe, the V8-powered Mustang Convertible will get the GT designation, and also like the

The 300-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 is very entertaining, producing ample torque from just about anywhere in the rev range. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Both are good transmissions with my preference being the stick. Its smooth shifting, with intervals that match either engine ideally. I remember not even minding that only five forward gears were featured, as the 4.0L V6, with its impressive 210-horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm, made optimal use of the cogs at hand. Incidentally,

Ford claims the torsional rigidity of the Mustang Convertibles underbody is nearly double that of the coupe. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Obviously the 300-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 was even more entertaining, producing ample torque from just about anywhere in the rev range thanks to variable camshaft timing, with a total of 320 lb-ft peaking out at 4,500 rpm, well shy of the engines 6,250 rpm redline. Its high-rpm capability is sign enough of its overhead cam technology, this one using a singular system on each bank of cylinders rather than the dual overhead cam setup boasted by some of the Mustangs rivals.

In typical Mustang fashion the front suspension is independent while the rear incorporates a live axle. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)