Automotive

Fisker and Galpin transform the Mustang into 725-hp Rocket Speedster

Fisker and Galpin transform the Mustang into 725-hp Rocket Speedster
The Rocket Speedster gives the Mustang convertible a new look
The Rocket Speedster gives the Mustang convertible a new look
View 7 Images
California's Galpin Auto Sports and Henrik Fisker reveal their latest collaboration
1/7
California's Galpin Auto Sports and Henrik Fisker reveal their latest collaboration
The Rocket Speedster stands on 21-in alloy wheels
2/7
The Rocket Speedster stands on 21-in alloy wheels
The Rocket Speedster gives the Mustang convertible a new look
3/7
The Rocket Speedster gives the Mustang convertible a new look
Inside the Galpin Rocket Speedster
4/7
Inside the Galpin Rocket Speedster
The carbon cover sits over the rear seats and includes mesh-covered air outlets
5/7
The carbon cover sits over the rear seats and includes mesh-covered air outlets
The Rocket Speedster will be available in limited numbers
6/7
The Rocket Speedster will be available in limited numbers
Galpin Rocket Speedster at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 2015
7/7
Galpin Rocket Speedster at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 2015
View gallery - 7 images

Following the debut of the Galpin Rocket last year, Galpin Auto Sports and Henrik Fisker are back with the Speedster Concept. The custom-bodied, 725-hp Mustang wears a smooth open-top design with tonneau cover. A limited number of customers looking for a more powerful, unique breed of Ford Mustang convertible have a new option.

Galpin Auto Sports has a short history of presenting crazy-powerful, Ford-based creations at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Two years ago, it showed its first coach-built supercar, beating Ford itself to the punch in reviving the iconic GT. It dropped a 1,024-hp V8 in the car, slapped some rather horrifying purplish-blue leather inside and charged buyers US$1.024 million a pop.

Galpin went on to team with one of the most respected minds in car design: Henrik Fisker. Together they revealed the Galpin Rocket prototype at last year's LA Auto Show, showing how a subtly retro-inspired custom carbon body and supercharged 725-hp tune could transform the Mustang into the "ultimate American muscle car." The company officially launched the limited-production coupe at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in March.

The Rocket Speedster will be available in limited numbers
The Rocket Speedster will be available in limited numbers

Whether or not you want to award the Rocket that "ultimate" title or reserve it for one of the even more powerful efforts from the likes of Shelby, the car is a unique, potent Mustang upgrade. And it now has an open-top variant.

Galpin and Fisker reworked the styling and engineering of the original Rocket, adding a body-colored carbon fiber cover that nests over the soft top and rear seats, turning the 2+2 into a two-seat roadster. The design gives the car a look quite different from the factory Mustang Convertible, and the cover can be removed when the driver wants to use the rear seats or top.

The new cover channels airflow through mesh-covered exposed carbon air outlets to effectively cut turbulence. Those outlets join aerodynamic features carried over from the coupe, including the front splitter and dual air scoops slashed into the carbon hood. There's also a set of fender outlets in front of the rear wheels blowing on the 15-in Brembo Gran Turismo brakes.

The debut Rocket Speedster wears a rich metallic red hue and rides on 21-in five-spoke alloy wheels.

The carbon cover sits over the rear seats and includes mesh-covered air outlets
The carbon cover sits over the rear seats and includes mesh-covered air outlets

The Rocket Speedster is still a concept, but Galpin does plan to sell a limited number directly to buyers and through a small network of "hand-pickeddealers" around the US and the world. It has not yet announced pricing, but we do know that the Rocket coupe starts at $109,100.

Source: Galpin Auto Sports

View gallery - 7 images
1 comment
1 comment
Stephen N Russell
2 bad cant produce some for rentals alone & need softtop for any sudden rainstorm, IE Hawaii during drive. Id drive one. 2 bad cant retrofit Mustangs for convertable & then make into Rocket mode.