Late S197 Mustang GT California Special Is a Rare Stunner
Built in small numbers, this six-speed GT California Special looks good while being quite unique.
There are many special edition Mustangs that get our motors revving. Obviously, models like the GT500 and Mach 1 sit at the top of our most desired performance trims. However, Ford created other limited run models over the years that are just as desirable. Chief among them is the California Special. After all, who could possibly say anything bad about a GT with some extra flair?
That’s precisely the reason why we felt obligated to share with you this 2014 California Special that recently popped up on automotive auction site Cars & Bids. Essentially, it’s a pristine 1 owner sweetheart that’s been meticulously well-maintained. Even still, there are a few eye-popping things the owner has left on the Mustang.
One Special Trim
Ford created the California Special as a quasi tribute for the big car clubs that celebrated the early Mustangs. Regional Ford dealers capitalized on that trend and offered their own cosmetic upgrades. Ford noticed their efforts and introduced the California Special in 1968. Since then, there have been many subsequent iterations of the famed trim. You can even get a brand new model with the package, as Ford offers it on the 2020 Mustang GT Premium.
While there have been many versions of the California Special, our featured Mustang GT hails from the 2014 model year. That in itself makes it sort of a last hurrah for a certain Mustang. Live-axle equipped Mustangs went away for the 2015 model year. In some ways, that makes this particular one the last of its kind. Additionally, it’s simply rare. According to the listing, the Mustang is one of 3,114 California Specials built for 2014. And it belongs to an exclusive club of 782 Oxford White models that were built that year as well. There’s no data on how many 6-speed models were built in 2014, but it’s likely a low figure.
Practically Brand New California Special
This Mustang’s owner did more than just take good care of his Ford. He pretty much preserved it in amber until now. Purchased new, the car has only traveled about 9,800 miles. Better yet, he kept pretty much everything that came with the car when it came off the deliver truck. That includes the little plastic clips designed to protect the doors during shipping. But it also extends to the inside, where he kept the plastic over the Mustang logo on the steering wheel!
To make matters even more interesting, the car isn’t completely stock. It is offered with a Roush cold-air intake and axle-back exhaust. The owner also opted to install a 93 octane tune from Bama Performance. A Hurst shifter ties everything together. And if those mods don’t suit you, the original parts are included in the sale. Heck, he even retained the original oil filter!
Unique Beast
Cynics could call the California Special a GT with slightly different clothing. We say they’re right. Seriously, what’s wrong with unique trim pieces right from the factory? The California Special has always been a nice way to obtain some Shelby-adjacent aesthetics without really breaking the bank. For 2014, buyers who opted for the California Special received some really nice upgrades like a Shelby-styled front end, unique 19 inch wheels, side stripes, a special instrument panel finish, and Miko Suede seat inserts.
Those features, combined with the condition of this specific Mustang, are a pretty potent combination. There’s a ton of information about the Mustang on Cars & Bids, along with many pictures of the car. It seems like the owner himself has responded to questions about the car in the comments section too. Bidding is currently at just under $10k but that is bound to go up before August 14, which is the date bidding ends. Whoever gets the winning offer will no doubt have a very special Mustang in their possession.
Photos: Cars & Bids