Ford Provides 'Retro-inspired' Mustang Colors for 2020 Model Year

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Last year, Ford announced a new green paint option for the Mustang as a tie-in for Saint Patrick’s Day. This year will be no different. Ford has unveiled Grabber Lime for the 2020 model year and, once again, has timed the debut to coincide closely with the holiday.

While Grabber Lime was never a metallic shade, Ford’s latest incarnation is more shimmery than a school of sardines. That does not appear to be the case for Ford’s other historic hue, Twister Orange, however. We’ve already seen the color roll off the auction block, slathered on the first 2020 Shelby GT500, for a cool $1.1 million, and it’s gloss only. Frankly, Grabber Lime is absolutely blaring in comparison.

“It’s lime green on steroids,” says Ford color and materials manager Barb Whalen. “This color traces back to a Mustang heritage color while bringing it forward with more modern, dynamic pigments and bold new energy.”

Other new color options available for the Mustang range, including Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500 models, include Iconic Silver and Red Hot Metallic. While the silver is pretty self explanatory, that red is not quite as hot as it name would suggest — it’s closer to Candy Apple Red, just enhanced with some extra metallic flake. It’s another new take on a classic automotive shade and handsome enough for us to wonder why Ford didn’t lead with it in the announcement.

The cars should arrive on dealer lots this fall… just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day.

[Images: Ford Motor Co.]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • DenverMike DenverMike on Mar 15, 2019

    It's nostalgic "Spectraflame" paint, Hot Wheels (Redline) 1968-72. Shown on the featured Mustang is "Apple Green" translucent mentalic, or similar shade. Real amazing stuff, but never on Fords or original factory cars. hotwheels.fandom.com/wiki/Spectraflame

  • RedRocket RedRocket on Mar 19, 2019

    Even when car manufacturers try to introduce "new" paint colors that are supposedly retro, they cannot get it right. This green appears similar to the shade the Camaro tried a few years ago, which resulted in such vehicles being glued to dealer lots. Same with ear-searing yellows and overly bright blues. The sad thing is that they have a whole catalog of great colors to choose from if they just go back to their offerings in the '60s and early '70s. But it seems the people making those decisions now feel the need to amp everything up to the max.

  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X Nice look, but too short.
  • EBFlex Considering Ford assured us the fake lightning was profitable at under $40k, I’d imagine these new EVs will start at $20k.
  • Fahrvergnugen cannot remember the last time i cared about a new bmw.
  • Analoggrotto More useless articles.
  • Spamvw Did clears to my '02 Jetta front markers in '02. Had to change the lamps to Amber. Looked a lot better on the grey wagon.I'm guessing smoked is illegal as it won't reflect anymore. But don't say anything about my E-codes, and I won't say anything about your smoked markers.
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