It wasn’t all that long ago that I had the opportunity to write about the all-new, redone Ford Mustang coupe. After plenty of quality seat-time behind the wheel of that sporty, U.S.-built automobile, I certainly had a positive impression. I found a lot to love about that iconic coupe, which has enjoyed a prime spot in the American imagination since its introduction to the public in 1964. Pretty much from the get-go, the Mustang became a favorite among auto enthusiasts from coast to coast. Even Hollywood quickly picked up on the appeal of this stylish car; since its creation, the Mustang has been featured in more than 500 feature films and countless television shows. It is one of America’s most widely recognized muscle cars, and it’s no exaggeration to say that the Mustang is a significant part of our nation’s automotive heritage.

But: Enough about the past. Let’s fast-forward to the present day, and my recent opportunity to test-drive the 2010 Mustang GT convertible. What a car! All of the new iterations of this classic vehicle are some of the safest Mustangs ever built (but don’t just take my word for it – the new Mustangs have earned five-star crash-safety ratings, as defined by the federal government). Also for 2010, the Mustang was given all-new interior components and materials, plus a bold and inspired new exterior body design featuring world-class craftsmanship. Of course, the performance GT is based off of the popular and critically lauded base model, which is constructed in an ultra-modern assembly facility just south of Detroit. But once we move beyond the shared base and talk further about the GT edition, we’re basically discussing an all-new category of Mustang! That’s because the GT is positioned as the line’s premium performance edition. The GT also has a large amount of additional factory equipment that is not available on the entry-level version.

It all begins under the car’s bulging front engine cover. Ford powers the GT with its ram air induction, 4.6-liter V8 smooth-operating powerplant that is rated at 315 horsepower. It’s designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, and the car has a capless fuel fill feature (this is standard – no extra charge!). The engine is mated with Ford’s five-speed manual transmission. This savvy marriage of engine performance and gear-box operation works perfectly during acceleration, and that’s just what drivers look for in a sports car such as this. The GT has quick pickup, even from a dead stop, and the suspension is nicely balanced and keeps the tires firmly on the road. The brakes are also enhanced on the GT, to improve stopping abilities; all four wheel positions have heavy-duty power-operated disc brakes. The attractive 18-inch spoke-painted aluminum wheels also set this car apart from the “base” Mustang. The factory-installed rear trunk lid wind spoiler and front fog lights, as well as the large chrome-tipped dual tailpipes, add to the car’s exterior appeal. Special GT badging is also placed on the car’s body.

But what really takes all of this to the next level is the opportunity to purchase the GT in a convertible edition. The cloth top is a breeze to operate, with a single electrical switch to lower all four windows and stow the top once the mechanical front window-frame latches are released. This four-passenger soft-top car carries a base price of $32,995. Learn more by logging on to www.ford.com.