Rod & Custom historian, Pat Ganahl blogs about the birth of hot-rod-engined Imports, also known as California Specials: SPORTS RODS: ROAD-RACING V-8 HYBRIDS!
In the 1950s, imported English Allards, could be ordered with American V-8 engines – Ford Flatheads to Caddys and Chrysler Hemis – while MGs, Austin-Healeys and others required hot rod surgery to replace anemic four-bangers with V-8s. Plus, there were limited-production domestic Kurtis 500-S sports cars available with as much V...
Read More
California Special
‘16 MUSTANG GT CALIFORNIA SPECIAL: A LITTLE CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
Ford has brought back the 1960s California Special package for its latest 5.0-liter Mustang GT. Road Test Editor Howard Walker gets to grips with this
drop-top pony express.
We’re doing a little California Dreamin’ here, top down in a retro V8 Mustang California Special, Mamas & the Papas on the stereo. Life is good. And the Ponycar we’re riding here is a sweetheart; a ‘16 GT convertible with retina-searing Race Red paint, a throaty 5.0-liter 435-horsepower V8 under the hood an...
Read More