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2016 Ford Mustang California Special: V-8 convertible cruiser

The Ford Mustang GT blends a well-tuned ride and a powerful V-8 engine. In California Special convertible trim, this affordable sports car becomes a comfortable coastline tourer.

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Antuan Goodwin
2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
1 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

The Ford Mustang is a surprisingly flexible sports car.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
2 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

At the entry point, it can be very affordable. As a convertible, it can be remarkably comfortable. And in GT trim, it boasts quite good performance thrills.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
3 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

The convertible top raises and lowers at the touch of a button. It takes between 13 and 16 seconds to finish its Z-fold ballet.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
4 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

The convertible top leaves a bit of the hardware exposed when stowed. I don't think it's so bad, but Ford seems to dislike it enough that the automaker includes an awkward pair of covers for the ends.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
5 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

The GT is powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Torque is stated at 400 pound-feet and power at 435 horsies.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
6 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

The California Special edition features black trim, black wheels and GT-CS badging throughout.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
7 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

This isn't my favorite color combo, but the orange is an imposing and eye-catching hue.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
8 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

The California Special package includes these 19-inch black design wheels.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
9 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

It's powerful and makes a good sound, but the GT's 5.0-liter V-8 is also a pretty good-looking engine. Pop the hood and enjoy the view.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
10 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

At first glance, the GT Premium's cabin looks pretty nice with its leather and suede seats. After you've been staring at the plastic dashboard for a week, it starts to look and feel like an economy car.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
11 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

For 2016, the GT Mustang gets these retro-inspired turn signal repeaters on the hood. They're very cool additions that add a bit of style.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
12 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

The GT also comes standard with an electronic line-locker -- basically an instant burnout mode -- and launch control for models equipped with the manual transmission.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
13 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
14 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
15 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
16 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
17 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
18 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
19 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
20 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
21 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
22 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
23 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
24 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
25 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
26 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
27 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
28 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
29 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
30 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
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2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
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2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
33 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
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2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
35 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
36 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
37 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
38 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
39 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible
40 of 40 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special convertible

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