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. The 4.6 modular engine is well-documented as a long-lived unit, with many examples reaching well past 200,000 miles with routine maintenance. This one has barely been broken in.

Interior

The interior of this 1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible was special ordered in full black leather, which means leather surfaces on the bucket seats, the rear bench, and the door panels — not the partial leather or vinyl combinations that were common on base trims. The photographs show that the leather has developed the fine surface crazing typical of original, unrestored leather that has been exposed to the sun and heat over time, particularly given the convertible body style. The structure of the seats remains sound, and the overall presentation is honest and correct for an original-interior car of this age.

The driver's seat is equipped with 4-way power adjustment, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel features tilt adjustment and integrates the Passive Anti-Theft System — an ignition-coded security system Ford introduced across the lineup during this period. The Mach 460 was Ford's premium sound system for the SN95, featuring a 460-watt amplifier and speakers integrated into the doors and rear deck. This car has had a Kenwood CD/HD Radio head unit installed in the single-DIN opening, which fits the factory dash without modification and feeds the original Mach 460 speaker system. Cruise control, keyless entry, power windows, power locks, and power mirrors round out the convenience equipment.

The dashboard carries the embossed Mustang script on the passenger side, a detail of the SN95 interior that enthusiasts recognize immediately. The gauge cluster is the standard GT layout with a 150-mph speedometer and an 8,000-rpm tachometer. The odometer reads 23,283 miles, consistent with a car that was driven sparingly from new.

Exterior

The 1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible was delivered in black, which the original buyer specified as part of a deliberate black-on-black build. The black convertible top is a power-operated unit that operates via a hydraulic motor and folds behind the rear seat under a body-color tonneau. The top includes a glass rear window, which is a significant advantage over the plastic rear windows found on many convertibles of this era. Glass does not haze, crack, or delaminate with age, and it is compatible with the rear defroster that runs through it — an item that makes this car genuinely usable year-round.

The 17-inch factory alloy wheels are the five-spoke design specific to the 1997 GT, wearing P245/50R17 tires. These wheels were a notable upgrade over the 16-inch wheels found on earlier SN95 models, and they fill the wheel wells appropriately for the body's proportions. Factory fog lamps are integrated into the front fascia below the bumper, and the rear decklid spoiler sits across the trunk lid — both standard GT content for 1997. The exterior photos show paint that has held up well over its lifetime, with the deep black finish showing the depth and reflectivity of a car that has not been subjected to daily exposure and hard use.

Conclusion

This 1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible is an accurate, low-mileage example of one of the most complete versions of the SN95 platform. It has the V8, the manual transmission, the limited slip, the leather interior, the glass rear window, and the full power equipment list — all in a special-ordered color combination that the original buyer went out of their way to configure. At 23,283 actual miles, it presents as a car that was owned carefully and used sparingly, which is exactly what the odometer and the undercarriage photographs confirm.

SN95 Mustangs built between 1994 and 1998 are now firmly in the entry-level collector car category, and low-mileage, well-optioned convertibles are significantly harder to find than their coupe counterparts. This one is as honest as they come.

To learn more or schedule a time to see this 1997 Ford Mustang GT Convertible in person, call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608. We are located in Sarasota, Florida, and welcome buyers from across the country.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.