Coolest Mustang Convertibles Ever Made

There’s one thing magical about dropping the highest on a Mustang. Perhaps it’s the best way the exhaust notice bounces off freeway overpasses, or how the automobile instantly appears 20% cooler at each stoplight. Regardless of the purpose, convertible Mustangs have been stealing hearts since 1964, and a few have completed it higher than others.

I’ve spent means too many Saturday mornings at automobile exhibits arguing about which drop-top Mustang deserves the crown, so let me prevent some debate time. These six convertibles didn’t simply look good with the wind of their hair: they really moved the needle ahead, whether or not by uncooked efficiency, good timing, or simply being so ridiculously cool that everybody needed one. Additionally, please don’t be upset in case your favourite didn’t make the record; there have been lots to select from, so we simply picked some private favorites.

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

Right here’s a enjoyable indisputable fact that’ll win you a bar wager: The Mustang convertible made its public debut on the 1964 World’s Truthful, cruising by Ford’s Magic Skyway trip whereas households from Peoria bought their first take a look at automotive historical past within the making. Discuss figuring out how one can make an entrance.

The numbers inform the story of immediate success. Ford moved 101,945 convertibles in that prolonged first mannequin yr (which ran from April 1964 by August 1965), accounting for about 13% of complete Mustang manufacturing. Not dangerous for a totally new physique type from an organization that was nonetheless determining if this entire “pony automobile” factor would stick.

However right here’s what made the early convertible particular past the apparent cool issue: you possibly can really get one with enamel. The Ok-code 289 Excessive Efficiency V8 pumped out 271 horsepower due to a strong lifter cam, 10.5:1 compression, and a four-barrel Autolite carburetor that meant enterprise. Solely about 7,273 Ok-code convertibles have been constructed, making them rarer than you’d assume and explaining why clear examples now value greater than most individuals’s first home.

The convertible bought additional structural bracing that added about 200 kilos over the hardtop, however Ford’s engineers did their homework. The X-brace below the ground and extra reinforcements across the cowl saved issues from feeling like a moist noodle once you hit your favourite again highway. Certain, it’s not a contemporary sports activities automobile, however for 1965, it was fairly spectacular engineering.

1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible

Carroll Shelby had a saying: “Horsepower sells automobiles, torque wins races.” The 1968 GT500KR (that’s “King of the Street” for these preserving rating at house) proved its level with the newly launched 428 Cobra Jet engine. Ford rated it conservatively at 335 horsepower, however dyno checks counsel it was making nearer to 400. Again then, insurance coverage corporations have been getting cranky about high-horsepower rankings, so producers began enjoying the understatement sport.

Solely 518 GT500KR convertibles have been constructed for 1968, making them about as widespread as unicorns with respectable credit score scores. Every one rolled out of the A.O. Smith facility in Ionia, Michigan, the place Shelby had moved manufacturing to deal with the elevated quantity and enhance high quality management. The times of Carroll’s crew hand-building automobiles in a California airplane hangar have been over, however the consideration to element remained.

The Cobra Jet was a torque monster, cranking out 440 lb-ft at simply 3,400 rpm. That meant these automobiles pulled like freight trains from idle, making them good for the grand touring position Shelby meant. The KR convertible might hit 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds – spectacular for a 3,800-pound automobile in 1968 – and maintain pulling all the best way to an sincere 140 mph high pace.

What made the KR particular wasn’t simply the engine, although. The entire package deal got here collectively superbly. The convertible bought the identical suspension tuning because the coupe, with heavy-duty springs and shocks that saved physique roll in examine with out beating you mindless. The facility steering was fast sufficient to really feel sporty however not so sensitive that freeway driving turned a white-knuckle expertise.

1983 Ford Mustang Convertible

After a decade-long hiatus, Ford introduced again the Mustang convertible for 1983, and automobile fanatics all over the place collectively exhaled. The corporate had realized from the structural disasters of some early ’70s convertibles and really engineered this one correctly from the beginning.

Ford contracted with Automobiles & Ideas to deal with the conversion work, and so they did it proper. Every convertible began life as a accomplished coupe on the Dearborn plant, then bought shipped to Brighton, Michigan, the place the roof was surgically eliminated and changed with a correct convertible construction. The method added about $4,000 to the bottom worth, however patrons didn’t appear to care – Ford bought 23,438 convertibles in that first yr again.

The star of the present was the newly revived 5.0 HO V8, which put out 175 horsepower by a four-barrel Motorcraft carburetor. Which may not sound like a lot by at this time’s requirements, however in 1983, it was genuinely fast. The HO might push the convertible to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, which was respectable efficiency in an period when most automobiles have been fortunate to interrupt into the only digits.

Extra importantly, the 5.0 HO had character. It made the proper noises, responded to modifications like a golden retriever responds to treats, and had that distinctly American V8 persona that had been lacking from showrooms for too lengthy. The convertible amplified all of this – roof down, you possibly can hear each consumption gulp and exhaust bark.

1994 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible, Indianapolis 500 Tempo Automotive

Ford knew they’d one thing particular with the redesigned 1994 Mustang, so that they made positive it bought the highlight at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The SVT Cobra convertible served because the official tempo automobile, and Ford constructed precisely 1,000 replicas for the general public: all of them painted Rio Pink with Saddle leather-based interiors. After all.

The SN95 platform was a revelation in comparison with the outdated Fox physique. Structural rigidity improved dramatically due to a brand new design that was engineered from day one to accommodate a convertible variant. Torsional stiffness elevated by about 60% over the outgoing mannequin, which meant the convertible lastly felt like a correct sports activities automobile somewhat than a wobbly approximation of 1.

Ford additionally upgraded the inside considerably. The brand new cabin featured twin airbags (a primary for Mustang), higher supplies, and controls that truly made sense. The convertible high was a correct energy unit that may very well be operated with one hand whereas caught in visitors – a small however important enchancment over the handbook tops of earlier years.

Efficiency was genuinely spectacular for the period. The Cobra convertible might hit 60 mph in about 6.8 seconds and run by the quarter-mile within the mid-15s. Extra importantly, it felt composed and controllable at pace, with steering that offered precise suggestions and brakes that impressed confidence somewhat than terror.

2003–2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra “Terminator” Convertible

Generally a nickname tells you the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know. The 2003-2004 SVT Cobra earned the “Terminator” moniker not by intelligent advertising and marketing, however by sheer, overwhelming efficiency. This was the Mustang that lastly answered the query: “What occurs when Ford will get actually, actually critical?”

The centerpiece was a 4.6-liter DOHC V8 topped with an Eaton M112 Roots-type supercharger, good for 390 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. However right here’s the factor – Ford was being conservative once more. Impartial dyno checks constantly confirmed these automobiles making 420+ horsepower on the wheels, which interprets to over 500 on the flywheel. In different phrases, Ford constructed a 500-horsepower Mustang and pretended it solely had 390.

The convertible model was mechanically similar to the coupe, sharing the identical solid rotating meeting, iron block building, and air-to-water intercooler system. Ford wasn’t messing round with sturdiness: they knew folks would modify these automobiles, so that they constructed them to deal with it from the manufacturing unit.

Efficiency numbers have been genuinely stunning for 2003. The convertible might hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and canopy the quarter-mile within the excessive 12s at over 110 mph. That was supercar territory, achieved in a automobile you possibly can each day drive and repair at any Ford supplier in America.

The chassis acquired equal consideration. Impartial rear suspension changed the outdated reside axle, remodeling the best way the automobile dealt with bumps, corners, and energy software. The convertible bought barely softer spring charges than the coupe to keep up trip high quality, nevertheless it was nonetheless agency sufficient to deal with the ability with out drama.

Right here’s what made the Terminator particular past the apparent pace: it was an entire automobile. The Brembo brakes might deal with repeated stops from triple-digit speeds. The cooling system might handle monitor days in July. The transmission (out there solely with a six-speed handbook) might deal with the torque with out grenading itself. Ford had realized from earlier errors and constructed a automobile that might again up its efficiency claims.

2013–2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible

Ford determined to finish the S197 era with the automotive model of a mic drop: the 2013-2014 Shelby GT500 with 662 horsepower from a supercharged 5.8-liter V8. Sure, you learn that proper: 662 horsepower in a manufacturing Mustang convertible. The Nineteen Sixties muscle automobile period formally had nothing on fashionable Detroit.

The Trinity 2.3-liter supercharger sat atop an iron block that was primarily bulletproof. Ford’s engineers had realized from the Terminator’s success and scaled the whole lot up accordingly. The outcome was an engine that made peak torque (631 lb-ft) at simply 4,000 rpm, which meant usable energy all over the place within the rev vary.

Efficiency was frankly absurd. The convertible might hit 60 mph in about 3.7 seconds and run the quarter-mile within the low 11s. The coupe achieved a verified 202 mph high pace on the Bonneville Salt Flats, making it the quickest manufacturing Mustang ever constructed. The convertible was barely slower because of aerodynamic variations, nevertheless it was nonetheless able to speeds that will get you a significant dialog with legislation enforcement.

The chassis acquired in depth updates to deal with the ability. Bilstein dampers, revised spring charges, and a Monitor Bundle possibility (which included Recaro seats and totally different wheels) helped maintain the whole lot pointed in the proper path. The convertible maintained composure even below full acceleration, which was no small engineering feat given the ability ranges concerned.

What impressed fanatics most was the automobile’s each day drivability. Regardless of the ridiculous energy output, the GT500 might cruise quietly on the freeway, navigate parking tons with out drama, and begin reliably each morning. Ford had managed to construct a Jekyll and Hyde persona that labored brilliantly.

Timeless Type within the Open Air

Every of those convertibles succeeded for a similar fundamental purpose: they delivered on their guarantees. The ’65 launched a legend with real efficiency to again up the appears. The Shelby KR introduced big-block authority to open-air motoring. The ’83 proved Ford might construct a correct convertible once more. The tempo automobile, Cobra, launched a brand new era with type and substance. The Terminator confirmed what occurred when engineers bought critical about efficiency. And the ultimate GT500 offered a becoming farewell to an period.

They’re all totally different, however they share that important Mustang character: the promise that dropping the highest doesn’t imply giving up efficiency or persona (regardless of some believing that .00002 hp will make a distinction on their approach to the grocery retailer). In a world of more and more computerized and remoted driving experiences, these automobiles remind us that typically the very best expertise is just figuring out when to fold the roof down and let the engine do the speaking.

Whether or not you favor the unique’s basic simplicity, the later automobiles’ uncooked energy, or one thing in between, every convertible represents a second when Ford bought the formulation precisely proper. That’s why they’re nonetheless turning heads at automobile exhibits, nonetheless bringing smiles to their house owners’ faces, and nonetheless making us bear in mind why we fell in love with automobiles within the first place.