i have raced both a manual and auto 1995 v6 mustang hardtop and beat both pretty badly. the 1997's have the same engine and the convertible would be even heavier. i have a bone stock atx duratec and they run about 17 flat in the quarter so 16.99 should be more than enough to beat an auto v6 mustang convertible. i know from plenty of experience of smoking v6 mustangs.
