2019 California Special Mustang drops just in time for spring break

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And it packs not just the 5.0 punch, but also other goodies

After the Mustang Bullitt, it's time for another Ford Mustang special edition, one that adopts a more laidback attitude – theoretically.

The California Special design came out of a West Coast Ford dealer and was inspired by the 1967 Shelby GT coupé notchback prototype. Ford officials liked the California Special so much that they decided to offer a limited number of cars of the 1968 model year.

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Besides the paint job, today's reiteration of the California Special Mustang involves a fair share of technology. But we'll get to that.

On the outside, the California Special Mustang flaunts a fading stripe stretching from the 5.0 badge up front to the rear fenders, a blackened grille, a splitter donated by the Mustang Performance Pack 1 and five-spoke machined rims.

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As far as body colors are concerned, Ford adds three new such hues for 2019: Velocity Blue, Need for Green and Dark Highland Green.

Cabin-wise, those looking to get the California Special should expect black Miko suede seats with red stitching.

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To complement the visual styling, the 5-liter V8 making 460 hp and 420 lb-ft connects to a six-speed manual gearbox with Rev Matching tech. The active exhaust and start quiet modes are also included.

Also on the tech side is the B&O Play 1,000-watt sound system with 12 speakers and a 10-channel amplifier.

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