MORE FORD; Mustang convertible is just one fun ride.(News)

Byline: MARK VAUGHN

Sure, Ford makes very practical sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs. But Ford also knows how to have fun-screaming-good fun. The day we drove the new Mustang convertible was actually a veritable Festival of Fun Fords. Donning an open-faced helmet that said "Willie Stroppe'' on the side, son of famous Ford racing hero Bill Stroppe whose company is still heavily involved with Ford, we turned many a hot lap around Irwindale Speedway's half-mile oval.

First out of the chute was the Shelby Cobra concept. Yes, this car is not just a pretty face. It's basically a reconfigured, rebodied Ford GT with a GT suspension aft, unique suspension fore, V10 put up front and a transaxle mounted in the rear.

"That's one of the reasons it handles so well, it's got the transaxle out back,'' said Carroll Shelby, on hand to talk about the car with his name on it. "It's got some understeer dialed into it now, it used to be neutral; now there's an 80 percent less chance of hitting the wall.''

The V10 started with a rumbling brap and we were out on the oval. Third gear was all we needed-along with a little braking-and we were soon tracing the late-entry line into the Speedway's wide, fast corners. The Cobra feels rock-solidly engineered without a hint that the engine is just a common 4.6-liter V8 with two more cylinders grafted on during casting. Torque is broad and satisfying-it felt like we could have driven all day at any track in third gear, and we wound up wanting a big, fast road course after only a few left turns on the oval.

Next up was a static display of the sleek silver GR1 that debuted at Pebble last August. There would have been a new and shiny GR1, but someone dropped it off the trailer that morning and the aluminum skin was being fixed. Once fixed it will be shown at Detroit.

"It's really just us showing off,'' said Ford design chief J Mays of the Detroit car.