Convertible Features
Lean and Mean
DESIGN/STYLING
This page is about:
2006 Mustang
Design/Styling
Mustang
21
July 2005
____
Ford Car Source Book
194248
File Name:
06 Mustang SB
Pg# 21
Step: ______ Date: _________
Account Exec:
P.Miramonti
Art Director:
C.Burger
Operator:
A.Rice
Proofreader: _________
Lowering the Top
1. Bring the car to a stop and set the parking brake. It’s
recommended that the engine be running to avoid
draining the battery. If the engine is off, place the
ignition in the ON position.
2. Check the top’s storage compartment behind the rear
seat to make sure it’s empty, then check the top’s
outer surface to make sure it’s dry and free of leaves
and debris.
3. Unclamp the top from the windshield header at the
right and left sides by pulling each handle down and
to the rear until the handle clears the header. (The
handles are flush with the header when closed.)
4. If the top hasn’t been lowered for some time, gently
push the front edge up to make sure it isn’t sticking to
the header. If it is sticking, this will usually free it.
5. The convertible top switch is located in the overhead
console. Push and hold it until the windows are
completely down and the top completely stored.
6. Disengage the parking brake.
Raising the Top
1. Bring the car to a complete stop and leave the engine
running to avoid draining the battery. Engage the
parking brake. If the engine is off, turn the ignition to
the ON position.
2. Push and hold the convertible top switch until the
windows lower completely (if up) and the top unfolds
and moves forward toward the windshield header.
3. You can release the convertible top switch to open
both handles before the top meets the windshield
header.
4. Continue to use the switch to raise the top until it has
reached the fully closed position, flush with the
header.
5. The two pins under the forward top edge should seat
themselves in the matching header holes.
6. To fasten the handles securely, rotate them into the
top’s header until they reach the full forward position,
and then push them up to be flush with the header.
Pulling down on the header at the center grip will
usually make it easier to fasten the top.
7. Raise the side windows.
8. Disengage the parking brake.
Convertible Features
A simple way to explain torsional rigidity to your customers is to use a
shoebox analogy. A shoebox with the lid on top is not easy to twist or
bend. This is like a hardtop coupe or sedan. But when you take the lid off,
the shoebox becomes flimsy. It is easy to twist or bend it. In the same way,
a convertible loses some torsional rigidity when you take the top off. But
when you put the lid on the bottom of the shoebox, it regains some of the
stiffness it had before. In a similar way, Mustang Convertible engineers used
firmer body joints and rocker panels to add stiffness without extra weight.
Presentation Tip
Lean and Mean
Mustang engineers were able to design body joints
and rocker panels that give the Convertible
outstanding stiffness without adding extra braces
that would have added weight and cost. An
additional benefit is a quiet and smooth ride.
Because the Convertible models are similar in
weight to the Coupe, suspension engineers only
needed to make subtle changes in the suspension
tuning and geometry. The customer benefit is a
Convertible driving experience that is far closer to
the Coupe’s than ever before.
Leak-free — Every Time
• Rigorous design, development and
manufacturing process used to achieve
zero water leaks into interior or luggage
compartment
• Design features such as robotic sealer
application, short-drop door glass for
improved glass-to-seal penetration, double
seals for redundancy, and floating-five-bow
top assembly for optimum fit of top to vehicle
ensure weather-tight sealing
• Every vehicle subjected to a stringent water
leak verification test at the assembly plant
Mustang Convertible Platform
• Current Mustang Convertible chassis torsional
rigidity is over 100 percent stiffer than
previous generation convertible
• Torsional rigidity is a measure of chassis
resistance to twisting forces
• Current convertible takes just over 6000
pounds of twisting force to deflect the chassis
one degree
• Previous generation chassis would deflect one
degree with slightly more than 3000 pounds
of force
• Due to a stiffer, more rigid chassis, fewer
reinforcements need to be added to the
chassis to make it stiffer
• Less additional bracing helps reduce
vehicle weight
• Less overall vehicle weight helps contribute
to acceleration, braking and handling
performance
• A Mustang GT Convertible with a manual
transmission weighs only 256 pounds more
than a GT Coupe with a manual transmission
Trunk Space
• Mustang Convertible provides
9.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity
• Current convertible has two more cubic feet
of cargo space compared to previous
generation convertible
• Additional benefit of Z-fold top design
Fixed Rear Seatbacks
• Allow secure storage of the top
• 50/50 split-folding seatbacks are
not available
Convertible Top Colors
• Black and Parchment
• Top color choice depends on body
color and interior color
Dome/Map Lights
in Bezel
• Provided in precisely the same
arrangement as in the coupe
• The convertible adds a switch that
is used to control the top
Glass Rear Window
• Includes rear defrost to help clear
frost and snow from the rear window
• Real glass will not discolor, scratch or
stain like a plastic rear window
Convertible Soft Boot
• Optional
• Available only in Black
• Helps protect the top once it is fully
retracted
Convertible Top
• Features a “floating” five-bow design
• Z-fold construction “stacks” itself
neatly as the top is retracted
• Provides a more finished, tidy, top-
down appearance
• Can be raised or lowered in less
than 13 seconds
• Two handles located along
windshield header are used to
secure the top
• Top sealing provides 12 percent
less wind noise and a 25 percent
improvement in air leakage than
previous generation Mustang
Convertible
06 Mustang SB 8/31/05 4:00 PM Page 21
