2004 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

One final element that deserves special mention is the wheel design. Finished in a satin gray, these forged-alloy 5-spokers are cribbed from the 2001 Bullitt Mustang and give the car a truly classy and classic look. Wrapping them is a grippy set of 245/45ZR17 Goodyear Eagle ZR45 tires. Charging at full gallop through a favorite local canyon showed the GT convertible to be far more adept at steady-state cornering than radical transient maneuvers. Despite that fact, its overall balance coupled with the ability to throttle-steer it through tighter twisties adds genuine appeal to this package, regardless of whether it's in hard- or soft-shell form.


While time has clearly put a bit of gray into its hindquarters, there's still life left in this aging war-horse. Unlike its GM counterparts (the Camaro and Firebird), the Mustang continues to make a return engagement, and three special-edition versions further enhance the lineup: a 390-horsepower supercharged SVT Cobra, a 305-hp Mach 1 package inspired by the namesake 1969 ponycar (complete with "shaker" hood scoop), and a V-6 Pony appearance package that includes unique striping with "Mustang Stampede" graphics. For the moment, even a normal GT-spec convertible continues to offer plenty of good reasons for taking the longest way possible from point A to point B. (www.fordvehicles.com)