- The 2024 Ford Mustang is adding a nostalgic appearance package known as the GT California Special.
- The $1995 GT/CS package uses exclusive Rave Blue on the Mustang’s grille nostrils and exterior badges; the interior is dressed up too.
- Since it’s only offered on the Mustang GT Premium, the coupe starts at $47,610 and the convertible starts at $53,110; opting for the automatic transmission adds $1595.
Rave Blue might sound like the name of an EDM dance club, but it’s actually the defining detail of the new 2024 Ford Mustang GT California Special. Although the appearance package’s Rave Blue accents are a contemporary touch, many Mustang fans are probably familiar with the GT/CS moniker, which dates all the way back to the original 1968 version.
A New California Special
After a teaser image appeared yesterday on social media, Ford has fully revealed the latest Mustang special edition. Opting for the package, which is purely an aesthetic upgrade, brings the aforementioned Rave Blue details on the various exterior badges as well as air-intake nostrils on the grille. The latter also features distinctive horizontal slats and a “GT/CS” badge, and the headlights on either side have a dark housing.
The sides of the California Special have decals that cover most of the lower body panels. Every package includes unique 19-inch wheels, and models equipped with the optional Performance Pack add exclusive Rave Blue pockets.
Inside, the Mustang GT’s leather seats as well as bits of the dash and doors have Raptor Blue and Metal Gray stitching. There’s also perforated Navy Pier upholstery that further dresses up the interior. Folks who want to take things up a notch can opt to have the contrast stitching applied to the steering wheel and center console. And to impress front-seat passengers, there’s a California Special badge on the right side of the dashboard.
Mustang GT/CS Price
Like the previous generation, the California Special package is only available on the Mustang GT Premium trim level. Priced at $1995, the GT/CS package starts at $47,610 for the coupe and $53,110 for the convertible. Since both body styles comes standard with the 480-hp 5.0-liter V-8 and six-speed manual transmission, choosing the available 10-speed automatic increases their price tags by another $1595. Ford says order banks are now open.
Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.