Jacob Boyd’s Ford Mustang GT California Special S197 that we’re featuring today is a perfect example of a clean muscle car build that proves less is often more, especially when you’re trying to create a strong visual presence.
The owner ehnaced the original body lines of the car with subtle exterior touches and tailored the stance with a help of an Air Lift air suspension system and set of blacked-out deep dish wheels. Read on to find out more about the ins and outs of this clean and stylish build!
California Special Edition Heritage
39 years after the original Mustang California Special was released, Ford has brought back this iconic package for their S197 Mustang platform. The California Special takes design cues from the original ’68 Mustang and Shelby GT, resulting in a clean-looking modern muscle car that possesses a special place in the Mustang line-up.
The Mustang GT California Special (S197) was available as a coupe or convertible, and came standard with leather seats, a Shaker 500 audio system, and power everything, but what’s more important, under the hood it had a 4.6 liter V8 engine capable of 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque in the stock form. With all these features it’s the perfect choice for modern muscle car fans who want a special vehicle for their new modification project.
The Build
If you’re a fan of S197 Mustangs then you will definitely appreciate this bagged Ford Mustang GT California Special that we prepared for you today. It’s owned and modified by Jacob Boyd who was glad to provide us with some details about his build.
The car has been lowered with an Air Lift air suspension system, which gives it a much more aggressive ground-hugging look. It sits on a set of all black Cosmis Racing XT005r rims sized 18×8 all around and wrapped in General performance tires.
The engine has been upgraded with BBK longtube headers, a fully custom 3 inch exhaust, and a catless x pipe. These mods help the car breathe better and produce more power, resulting in improved acceleration and throttle response.
The exterior has also been enhanced with a custom wickerbill spoiler, Gorilla Splitters front splitter, 66polarcustoms rear side splitters, Carterscustoms04 side splitters, and Exo Lighting LED side markers front and rear. These modifications give this California Special a distinctive custom touch yet maintain the clean OEM+ look.
List of Modifications
Suspension & Wheels
- Air Lift air suspension
- 18×8 Cosmis Racing XT005r rims
Performance mods
- BBK longtube headers
- Fully custom 3 inch exhaust
- Catless x pipe
Exterior mods
- Custom wickerbill spoiler
- Gorilla Splitters front splitter
- 66polarcustoms rear side splitters
- Carterscustoms04 side splitters
- Exo Lighting LED side markers front and rear
Conclusion
Beneath its almost stock appearance, this S197 packs a well-thought-out mix of subtle modifications with the suspension category taking the highest score of 8 points thanks to its Air Lift setup. Following the hierarchy, exterior upgrades earned 5 points with a set of splitters, while performance mods settled at 2.5 points through a complete exhaust system overhaul.
| Parts Category | Difficulty Rating* |
|---|---|
| Suspension Mods: | 8/10 |
| Performance Mods: | 2.5/10 |
| Exterior Mods: | 5/10 |
* Based on our build difficulty evaluation system ⓘ
This California Special is hands down one of the most refined S197 builds to date. The carefully selected modifications complement the factory body lines so seamlessly that even enthusiasts might need a second look to spot them. It’s a refreshing reminder that true automotive elegance doesn’t require flashy body kits or attention-grabbing wraps
Watch the progress and find out more about this Ford Mustang S197 project by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @boyd_s197!
Photography by: @ff_vision
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