For Sale: 1997 Ford Mustang in Bradenton, Florida

1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible �€" Special-Ordered Black on Black, 23k Actual Miles, 4.6L V8, 5-Speed Manual Why This Car Is Special The 1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible occupies a specific and increasingly desirable position in Mustang history. This was the third model year of the SN95's second-generation refresh, and more importantly, it was the second year Ford offered the 4.6-liter single overhead cam V8 in the GT. That engine swap from the pushrod 5.0 to the modular 4.6 SOHC happened in 1996 and marked a genuine shift in the Mustang's engineering direction �€" from old-school displacement to modern overhead cam technology. The 4.6 SOHC produced 215 horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque in 1997, and while enthusiasts debated the transition at the time, history has been kind to the modular engine. It proved durable, tuneable, and capable of enormous power gains with modest modifications. What makes this particular 1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible stand out is the combination of a special-ordered black-on-black color scheme, a 5-speed manual transmission, and 23,283 actual miles shown on the odometer. Finding any SN95 convertible with this mileage is unusual. Finding one that was purpose-built in black over a full black leather interior, with the manual gearbox, makes it a genuinely low-production survivor in practical terms. The original buyer went out of their way to configure this car, and it spent the decades since accumulating fewer miles than most vehicles do in two years. The VIN structure on this car confirms it was built as a GT convertible at the Dearborn Assembly Plant, which produced all Mustangs during this era. The convertible body style added structural reinforcement and a power-operated top to the package, making this a more complex and more expensive build than the coupe. Features List - 4.6L SOHC V8 engine, 215 horsepower - 5-speed manual transmission - Limited slip differential - 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS - Power steering - Factory air conditioning - Flowmaster dual exhaust - Black convertible top, power operated - Glass rear window with rear defrost - 17-inch factory alloy wheels - Factory fog lamps - Rear decklid spoiler - Black leather bucket seats, front and rear - 4-way power driver's seat - Leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment - Power windows and locks - Power mirrors - Dual front airbags - Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) - Tinted glass - Cruise control - Keyless entry - Mach 460 speaker system - Kenwood CD/HD Radio head unit - 23,283 actual miles Mechanical The heart of this 1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible is Ford's 4.6-liter SOHC V8, part of the modular engine family that would go on to power Mustangs for over a decade. In 1997 trim, this engine produced 215 horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque. The single overhead cam design gave it a broader, more linear torque curve than the old 5.0, and the aluminum heads contributed to a slightly lower overall weight compared to the iron-headed 302 it replaced. Paired with the 5-speed manual transmission �€" the Tremec T-45 unit used in the GT during this period �€" it gives the driver a direct connection to the drivetrain that the automatic simply cannot replicate. The limited slip differential is an important specification here. Ford offered it as an option on the GT, and it meaningfully improves traction under hard acceleration, particularly for a rear-wheel-drive convertible. Combined with the 4-wheel disc brake setup and ABS, this car is better equipped for real driving than a base-spec example of the same year. The Flowmaster dual exhaust has been fitted in place of the factory system, and the catback routing is clearly visible in the underside photos. The undercarriage itself is consistent with a car that has spent most of its life garaged and lightly driven �€" no signs of significant corrosion or repair. At 23,283 miles, virtually every mechanical component on this car is in early-life condition relative to the design's capabilities.