Throughout the history of the Ford Mustang, the optional convertible top has remained a popular feature, and it is easy to understand why. There is no feeling quite like cruising down the highway on a warm, sunny day with the top down. The wind rushing in around you and the unobstructed view of your surroundings fills one with feelings of excitement and freedom.

Mustang Convertibles have long been a favorite of festival queens an politicians running for office during Halloween parades. The sharp, sporty appearance of the Mustang instantly captures the viewer’s attention, and the person of honor can sit perched upon the trunk with his or her feet resting on the backseat, which gives the parade goers full view of them. Dealers are usually happy to lend these cars out for these occasions, because it gives them plenty of free advertising.

The power convertible top of the Ford Mustang is fairly easy to operate. To put the top down, first start the car, which will save on the energy in your battery. From the inside, look in the upper right and left hand corners of the top. You will see two latches where the roof is connected to the windshield. Grab the latches and pull them out. If it is an automatic Mustang, the transmission will need to be in the “park” position.

If it is a manual transmission, the emergency brake will need to be engaged. In the center armrest, there should be a button that powers the top. Push the button until the top lifts and rests in its storage area. Mustangs come with a cover that snaps over the convertible roof while it is not in use. This is to keep foreign objects out of the holding area. Simply snap the cover over the area, and now you are ready to cruise!

The top cannot be operated while the car is in drive, so if you need to put the top up while you are driving, first find a place to pull over. Unsnap the top cover, and place it in the trunk. With the Mustang in park, (or with the emergency brake on) push the top button until the top is fully extended and resting against the top of the windshield. At the bottom of each latch handle will be a hook. Place the hooks over the latch bars on the windshield and then push the handles down. You may feel a bit of resistance, this is normal. When driving with the top up, it is important to latch it properly or the wind will cause damage to your convertible top.

Whatever year Mustang you may own, or are considering, the Mustang Convertible is a very attractive and fun car.

When the Ford Mustang was released to the public 45 years ago at the New York World’s Fair, on April 17, 1964, it was the most successful car launch in automotive history. Part of the innovative design was the wheels.

The 1964 Ford Mustang had 14-inch wheels, with wheel covers as standard equipment. They were constructed of hard plastic, with a simulated chrome accent. The indented area was painted charcoal black. The coolest feature of these wheels was the wheel center caps. The background of the center caps was painted either blue or black, and a simulated chrome mustang appeared in the center. Above the Mustang was the word “Ford,” and below it was the word “Mustang” in simulated chrome. The wheel covers complimented the cars overall sleek and sporty look.

The smaller, more fuel efficient second generation Ford Mustang hit the ground running in 1974. Although sales for this model were not quite as high as the original, sales remained brisk. The wheel covers were of a snowflake design, with simulated chrome. The center cap had a red background, with the simulated chrome Mustang in the center.

The third generation Mustang came out in 1979. While still clearly recognizable as a Mustang, it had a minimal design. The standard wheels were unimpressive three spoke black wheels, with a plain black center cap.

In 1994, the Ford Mustang went through one of the biggest redesigns in Mustang history. Borrowing from the original design, it was a sleek, sharp sports car. Mustang buyers had a large array of optional wheels to choose from. V-6 models came with silver plastic hubcaps, with the mustang logo on the center cap, or the star shaped polished steel rims with the center cap. Mustang GT had a choice of black spoked racing rims with a silver center cap that had the signature blue Ford logo embroidered on it, or black alloy wheels with the Mustang logo.

If you are rebuilding a Mustang, consider finding a set or replica of the original wheels. Mustang wheels have always been eye catching, sharp, and overall cool for the past 45 years, and having the set of wheels that goes with your model mustang will enhance its overall appearance, giving it the classic feel it deserves.

So you have decided you want to join the millions of Ford Mustang owners worldwide, and buy a previously owned Ford Mustang. Congratulations, there’s nothing quite like the feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you shift from third to fourth gear, or the looks you get from jealous co-workers as you park your Mustang. That being said, there are a few things you should consider.

Before you go to look at a used Mustang, it is best to do a little research. Search the Internet to see if you can find more than one used Mustang in your area. Remember that price can vary dependent on engine size, transmission, year model, and miles. Once you have found a few that you might be interested in, you can look up, and compare the fair market value to what the dealer is asking.

Not all Mustang owners who trade in their cars have taken good care of them. Never buy a used Mustang without driving it at highway speeds first. If it is a standard shift you are considering, pay special attention to the clutch. Does it feel loose, or is it tight? If it is loose, and it is a fairly recent model, it may have been driven hard. Another sign is massive tread wear on the rear tires. For used Mustangs with an automatic transmission, make sure there is no transmission slippage when you take it for a test drive.

If you are looking at a Mustang that is at a dealership, you can ask for a free carfax history report on the car. This will tell you if the title is clean, if the Mustang has been used as a rental car, and if the car has had any major damage.

Know what the warranty is on the car. 2005-2009 used Mustangs may still have factory warranty left on them. The original warranty is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty starts the date of the original purchase, and transfers to the new owner. For instance, if a 2005 Ford Mustang wasn’t originally purchased until July of 2006, and it’s now January of 2009, it would still have 6 months left on the warranty as long as it hasn’t gone over 36,000 miles.

Insurance rates on Mustangs will vary dependent on the equipment installed on the vehicle. The 4.6-liter V-8 engine is going to be considerably more to insure than the 4.0 V-6. Mustangs equipped with an automatic transmission are less to insure than the 5 speed, and convertibles are more money than the hard tops.

If you plan to finance the vehicle, it is a good idea to get a rate quote from your local bank or credit union before going to the dealership. Dealerships do get money from banks for sending them financing, so they will try to beat the rate your own bank or credit union gives you.

When shopping for a used Ford Mustang, it is important to get the car equipped the way you want it. If you want a V-8 manual transmission, you will not be happy with the automatic V-6 model. However you want it equipped, do not settle for anything less, and you will be glad you did not.