Disappointed with new California Special

[06RubyGT]

You forgot nation wide release vs. Califonia Special Edition. I think that is what bugged me the most. If the CS was only available in CA like the original, it would be more "special" and I would give it a lot more consideration. I'm still open to getting one, just to be a little unique but still factory.

Sure, it would be "more special" to the 10% of the population that would have access to it, and totally unavailable to the rest of us. Sounds like a pretty crummy trade-off to those of us NOT in California.

Lee

 

[FNG 2001]

Sure, it would be "more special" to the 10% of the population that would have access to it, and totally unavailable to the rest of us. Sounds like a pretty crummy trade-off to those of us NOT in California.

Lee

Well lucky you, because anybody can buy it. It's just not staying with the original theme.

 

[radtexas]

Does anybody here even have one? If so, please post pics of exterior and interior; specifically the CS items that are part of the package. Thanks!

Gladly. No good picture of the rear fascia but same as the white one posted above.
And being in Texas I am glad they went nation wide. Why limit from the rest of the world?

 

[Uncle Meat]

They had a white coupe in the showroom of the dealer where I'm buying my son's '05. They wanted 32K for it. It looks okay I guess. I like the look of the front and rear bumpers. The rear bumper looks similar to the GT500. 18 inch chrome bullets, special badging, blah, blah, blah... looks nice, but not worth the money IMO.

U.M.

 

[radtexas]

They had a white coupe in the showroom of the dealer where I'm buying my son's '05. They wanted 32K for it. It looks okay I guess. I like the look of the front and rear bumpers. The rear bumper looks similar to the GT500. 18 inch chrome bullets, special badging, blah, blah, blah... looks nice, but not worth the money IMO.

U.M.

Yeah some dealers seem to try and use the limited run as a means to raise the price. My MSRP was just over $36k, but I paid just $33,197 + TT&L and got the car cover worth around $350. My dealer is not into raping the public.

Option is only $1895 more and if you want the 18" wheels anyway you can take out the $825. Looking at it that way you pay another $1k for the unique look and the awesome interior. I love the two-tone seats although I would have like a little darker tan but I am not complaining.

 

[SVTdriver]

You forgot nation wide release vs. Califonia Special Edition. I think that is what bugged me the most. If the CS was only available in CA like the original, it would be more "special" and I would give it a lot more consideration. I'm still open to getting one, just to be a little unique but still factory.

And yet we all know the premium they would command if they were available only in california. This would be as bad if not worse than the GT500.

 

[HEAVYGT]

I am disappointed too...

I saw the new GT/CS yesterday and I must say that I am disappointed also...for the extra money it is just NOT worth it. I would have loved Ford to do a retro rear end like others have said...in case there are a few youngsters out there that don't remember the original '68 GT/CS, here ae a couple of pics...

 

[06RubyGT]

I saw the new GT/CS yesterday and I must say that I am disappointed also...for the extra money it is just NOT worth it. I would have loved Ford to do a retro rear end like others have said...in case there are a few youngsters out there that don't remember the original '68 GT/CS, here ae a couple of pics...

I don't mean this to be offensive, but I never realized how ugly those 'special' taillights are ! The stock lights of that era are quite beautiful, but these look like they are different only for the sake of being different.

Exactly how would Ford have done anything similar to the new CS? The center panel is part of the trunk lid, which would have been a nightmare to alter to allow anything even close to the original design.

Lee

 

[HEAVYGT]

I don't mean this to be offensive, but I never realized how ugly those 'special' taillights are ! The stock lights of that era are quite beautiful, but these look like they are different only for the sake of being different.

Lee

thus the GT/CS

 

[Marine One]

Saw a mint condition white 68 GT/CS at an antique car show last weekend. It had the ever-popular black vinyl roof as well. Maybe Ford could bring back the vinyl roof along with the tail lights?

 

[Jim Hoy]

CS brakelight

Hey Rad

Where did you get the CS brakelight. I would really like to add that to my Redfire CS. I agree the CS option is money well spent I purchased my Coupe for 28K and change. The 2 car shows I've attended it by far gets the most positive comments.

 

[stanmckinney]

That rear reminds me of the Cougars of that era.

 

[tylers65]

That rear reminds me of the Cougars of that era.

It should, those are Cougar tail lights.

 

[tylers65]

I don't mean this to be offensive, but I never realized how ugly those 'special' taillights are ! The stock lights of that era are quite beautiful, but these look like they are different only for the sake of being different.

Exactly how would Ford have done anything similar to the new CS? The center panel is part of the trunk lid, which would have been a nightmare to alter to allow anything even close to the original design.

Lee

Those "special tail lights" can also be found on the 67 and 68 Shelby's. I cannot say I ever heard anyone say they did not like them on a Shelby. The CS was not "different for the sake of being different" they were trying to oay tribute to the Shelby Mustangs of the same era. Therefore it is not "different" as it is the same as other Mustangs of that era.

View attachment 428456

 

[radtexas]

Hey Rad

Where did you get the CS brakelight. I would really like to add that to my Redfire CS. I agree the CS option is money well spent I purchased my Coupe for 28K and change. The 2 car shows I've attended it by far gets the most positive comments.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...&satitle=320013846796&fvi=1&item=320013846796

I found it by the item number but did not find it searching for the seller that sold it. Might double check to make sure he is still selling them although I don't see why not since he has a ton of other cars listed. Maybe he was doing maintenace on his location? Let me know if this does not work

 

[tjredgt2000]

Ford has a long history of taking parts from the bin for "special" models. My '92 SHO had front fenders and headlights from the Sable.

 

[aggieforester05]

Try to find pictures of a black one, I have searched the net and found no pictures of black ones, I think the white and maroon ones are ugly, but I got a Black one with no hood scoop and love the way it looks. I just wish they would have made the stripes a little brighter, they are hard to see against the black paint. Here are a couple of pictures, but they are not very good, I need to get some new ones.

 

[Mark25]

I so somewhat agree that it is nothing more than a bit more dressed up GT. I personally can't see spending the additional $3-4K more on it....but to each his own...

 

[fastmustang]

I was thinking of ordering one until I saw the cars on eBay (by your typical over-greedy Ford dealers). Besides the fact it should have been held until 2008 (to honor the 1968 cars), the cars appear to be nothing more than a lame attempt to push more top-level GT cars. I really expected something more dramatic than tape stripes. Where are the California Special emblems on the rear fenders? Where are the awesome rear tail lights that are supposed to go all the way across the back of the car?

I know that you can get one of the CS packages at invoice or close. There are problems with them though. The side vents infront of the of rear wheels are only double stick taped on. They all fall off. The front air dam looks great. IBefore you buy one look at the bottom of it. They are all getting scraped coming off the truck. It is also priced too high for just an appearance package.

 

[SVTdriver]

I know that you can get one of the CS packages at invoice or close. There are problems with them though. The side vents infront of the of rear wheels are only double stick taped on. They all fall off. The front air dam looks great. IBefore you buy one look at the bottom of it. They are all getting scraped coming off the truck. It is also priced too high for just an appearance package.

I would challenge you to find a shop to paint and install all the parts for less than Ford is asking (Not including dealer crap). I know most shops in my area are over $2k for a 4 piece body kit. And that doesn't count the stiping and the interior options.