The DNA of Ford Mustang GT/CS California Special
The S197 Mustang platform with design ties to that original 1970 version, a revived relationship with Carroll Shelby and you have the 2007 Mustang GT / California Special. Mustang fans will notice a resemblance between the S197 Cali Special and the 2007-2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT, as both cars actually started production as a Ford Mustang GT Premium, kitted out with the GT/CS California Special Package called 54C. Shelby used the Cali Special’s unique front and rear fascia, leaving the side scoops, chrome exhaust tips, the GT/CS exterior striping and leather two-tone interior custom trim, exclusive to the California Special.
For me the main draw was the Tremec 5 speed transmission, which has featured in Mustang GT’s since the legendary 2001 Bullitt. After the 4.6 V8 was discontinued in the 2010 Mustang S197, there was a gap of 6 years until a Tremec was reintroduced in the 5.2 V8 Ford Mustang Shelby S550 GT350 of 2016, as a 6 speed on this model. Owners of post 2011 Mustangs are suing the company over alleged defects in the Mustang’s Getrag MT82 six-speed manual transmission. The suit alleges that Ford knew of the issues, but had not taken adequate steps to prevent it, despite a series of technical service bulletins (TSBs) and other guidance to dealerships about various transmission problems.
The 2003 Concept car for the S197 generation Mustang was partially based on the Jaguar developed DEW98 Platform that sat under the Lincoln LS, Jaguar S-type, and the last gen Ford Thunderbird. Even the Production S197 kept some of that Jaguar DNA, apart from the solid rear axle and Mustang good looks.
See the webpage for this repair kit
The link is Here
Laurence shares his new car details at last
A classic Redfire 2007 Ford Mustang GT/CS California Special S197 with 127,000 recorded miles. A clean titled USA car with no accidents. The last Ford Mustang GT I used for business trips was my 2001 Bullitt. The Redfire is a V8 manual with the bullet proof 4.6 litre 3V petrol engine and a Tremec 3650 manual 5 speed gearbox. This Ford Mustang S197 has been fitted with long tube headers, with x-pipe exhaust.
Having a tough car for work is essential. Thanks to Ford the Mustang is one of those cars. With strong running gear, an asset platform able to return over 200,000 miles of hard day to day use, getting over 32mpg on the motorway (UK imperial gallons), makes it a reasonable car to run over longer distances.
Great show at 2022 Mustang Owners Club Nationals, you can see where the S197 design came from
On its way from the USA to the UK
Ford Mustang California Special S197 GT/CS Build Sheet or Window Sticker
What it’s like owning a Ford Mustang
Plus points
1. You can afford own one of these without breaking the bank
2. They look cool
3. Sounds are cool
4. It’s fast
5. You become very popular with gear heads
Minus points
None
Ford Mustang GT, Pypes, Long Tube Headers, Cat-back X-pipe and Bombs, No.1 loudest exhaust 3V in the UK
When you’ve had 2 door muscle cars since the mid 1980s and still want to drive one in 2022, the choice is somewhat limited for something at a reasonable price. My first was a 1974 Camaro with the 5.7 engine, then I got a Mercury Merkur 2.3 turbo which was fun. Then in 2005 I bagged a Mustang Bullitt 2001 model, which I really liked driving. Been there, done that got the Tshirt.
What to get next
Challengers seem to be very expensive, Chargers have 4 doors, Camaros are hard to find with a manual gearbox. Mustang V8 S550s are too expensive. S197 Bullitts are overpriced and S197 Shelbys dream on…
Basic S197 Mustangs however like the 2005-2009 GT S197s are plentiful and pretty cheap if you look hard enough you’ll find a gem like the GT/CS. My one had so many after-market mods, that would have cost more than the for-sale value of the car, it was a bargain from day 1. So check the mods and grab a bargain. How does it drive? It drives great, this GT/CS has a great street presence, the mods really help the sound and power delivery. In an ideal world I would own either; a Boss 302, Shelby GT500, Bullitt 2019 or a 1970 Camaro Gen II Z28 Manual. But I’m not that rich so this S197 build will do for my needs.
My custom build specification
- Bullitt style wheels 17 inch rims
- Rear Spoiler Delete
- Wheel Spacers
- Long Tube Headers
- X pipe
- Pypes Bombs
- Custom thumb-grip Steering Wheel, shift boot and door panel inserts
Brief history
I purchased this car from Pennsylvania on Autotrader.com, while I was looking for a 2008/2009 Highland Green S197 Bullitt Mustang. That Bullitt model was way beyond my budget and nudging $20,000 after a sudden surge in popularity during the Covid era. The next best thing was the Redfire GT/CS with a similar spec to a Bullitt, but lots of goodies as well. Red is a better colour in my opinion.
Having a Mustang shipped from the US to the UK is quite easy, the major hassle is what happens next, when you want to register it with the DVLA, that takes 8 weeks. Having a tough car for work is essential. Thanks to Ford the Mustang is one of those cars. With strong running gear, an asset platform able to return over 200,000 miles of hard day to day use, getting over 32mpg on the motorway (UK imperial gallons), makes it a reasonable car to run over longer distances.
Photos of exterior
Custom interior restoration
Video
More External Shots
Muscle car history
My first muscle car was a 5.7L Chevrolet Camaro 1974 LT automatic 3 speed. The engine was an anaemic 140hp with a 2-barrel carburetor with a single piped exhaust system. I then pulled the motor had it rebuilt with a decent camshaft, 4-barrel 600cfm Holley, Edelbrock Performer intake, long tube headers and straight piped dual exhaust. The result was 300 hp of fun. More of a Z28 than and LT. The car did feel like a truck to drive. Basic, very heavy, and loud but I loved this thing. My 2007 Mustang is cut from the same cloth basic with no frills like the ambient lighting and trip computers or extra gauges. Just a V8 with 5-speed manual Tremec, long tube headers, Pypes bombs. Both cars weigh in at around 3500 lbs built 33 years apart.
