Fox Mustang Magazine Issue 8 | Page 44

When something works, the smart executive stays with it. Towards the end of Fox Mustang production, Ford released a series of special editions with distinctive cosmetic treatments. It began in 1990 with the Emerald Green Limited Edition, commonly known as the 7-Up car. For 1992, the recipe had changed. Green was out and red was in. “Start with the fabulous Performance Red exterior,” invited the April ’92 Hot Sheet, a product bulletin that went to Ford dealers. “Red Hot” was the marketing theme, and the Special Edition Mustang played up the red to the max with its monocolor treatment extending to the windshield frame, side mirrors, trunk hinges, rear spoiler, and upper door and passenger compartment trim. The convertible top and interior were done in solid white, making for an appealing contrast. Wheels, often referred to as just white, were officially Opal Pearlescent. Seats featured leather surfaces with black piping, and overhead was a headliner, Mustang’s first fitted to a convertible top. It would become standard on convertibles for 1993, but for 1992, it was a Special Edition exclusive. White door panels and Ebony dash, floors, seat belts, and console finished out the interior. Emissions regulations being what they are, the 44 FOXMustangMagazine.com engine/driveline was left intact, preserving the 5.0 H.O.’s generous 225hp rating and its certified emissions compliance. Prices for the Limited Edition started at $19,644 for the basic LX convertible 5.0, then added $850, totaling $20,494 before options. That put the Limited Edition package close to the top-of-the-line GT convertible. But spending the extra cash rewarded the buyer with a much rarer Mustang. Production stopped at 2,193. Mike Pittsley, a firefighter in Taunton, Massachusetts [Boston area], knows a thing or two about what’s hot. He started out with a new ’87 GT, then got married, had kids, and sold the GT. It was gone but not forgotten. In 2004, Mike began searching for another Mustang. This time he wanted a convertible, but not just any convertible. He was after one of the Limited Editions. They don’t exactly grow on trees, so the search went past New Year’s, then past it again, and again. Finally in 2007, he spotted a Vibrant Red Feature Car convertible that looked promising. It was an automatic transmission version (five-speeds were offered, too) in good condition with 86,435 miles. Better still, it was in a nearby town just a couple of hours’ drive away. “The owner said he had just bought the car for his wife,” Mike recalls, “but he wanted to buy another house, so he was going to have to sell it.”