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Suddenly, one morning, you awaken to the reality that you don’t give a hoot what other people think. It is an epiphany both liberating and terrifying, which can lead to either creativity or disaster, or to plain, silly enjoyment. It’s all about chance, about doing what you think is right and necessary at the moment without taking a public opinion poll or seeking permission.

As often happens, it is a moment prompted by catalyst — a word, event or thing. Mine was a car, a brilliant yellow 1999 Ford Mustang GT convertible with a black cloth and vinyl top and big, 17-inch wheels.

That the car came in the middle of November was inconsistent with the chill of the season. A yellow convertible amid falling leaves? What to do?

My answer came from God and other women who are important to me. God sent sunshine and bright-blue skies, and the mortal women, either in person or by phone, all remarked on the unusual beauty of the day and lamented the prospect of allowing it to pass untasted.

I needed no further prompting. I put on my favorite leather jacket and black wool cap. I lowered the top on the Mustang, cranked up the heat and drove from Northern Virginia to my office in the District of Columbia by first heading west through the changing colors of Virginia’s splendiferous Shenandoah Valley and then venturing south, before turning back up north along Interstate 81.

There were some stares from folks who were driving with the windows and tops up on their convertibles. But on the northern leg of the trip I came upon a fellow in a silver Porsche Boxster roadster, who was driving with top and windows down and jacket buttoned against the cold. He gave me a thumbs-up. I returned the salute.

For the remainder of my meandering, I listened to the hum of the Mustang GT’s 4.6-liter, 260-horsepower V-8 and marveled at how it was both at war and at peace with nature. Its hum seemed to blend with the whirring passage of the countryside, giving it resonance. But in spots where traffic was thickest, the big engine seemed bigger, noisier and more demanding than it needed to be. Perhaps, I thought, the Mustang’s other engine, a 3.8-liter, 190-horsepower V-6, would be better.

But that thought disappeared the moment the road opened up, allowing me to shift the manual transmission into fifth gear and run the Mustang GT at full glory.

I arrived late at the office; people were going to lunch. But I felt neither guilt nor chagrin. I had tasted the day, the best part of it and in the best way. I felt good.

1999 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Concern: How much horsepower is enough? The Mustang’s revised V-6 gets 40 more horsepower than its predecessor, and the Mustang GT’s updated V-8 gets 35 more horsepower than the previous model. Both rear-wheel-drive cars weigh in the neighborhood of 3,000 pounds, and neither is meant to pull or haul anything more than four people and small amounts of luggage. Is this horsepower overkill?

Praise: An e xceptionally fine reinterpretation of the original Mustang, introduced in 1964. This update takes a few well-conceived steps further back in retro-design, highlighting the sharp lines of the original. Improved body structure practically eliminates the errant rattles of past Mustangs. The new car is a joy to drive.

Head-turning quotient: The yellowness of the test car drew smiles for miles, which was surprising. I initially thought the color was outlandish. But judging from public reaction, a little outlandishness is what some people need in their lives.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Triple aces. The kind of car that beckons you to keep driving. Excellent braking. The test car was equipped with optional antilock brakes and all-speed traction control, which helps to reduce wheel spin on slippery roads.

Other options: An electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is available. Also, there is an extended (by one inch) track for the driver’s seat for tal ler dri vers. And a six-way power seat is now available in place of the four-way power seat.

Safety note: There is no roll bar on the Mustang GT convertible.

Capacities: Fuel tank holds 15.7 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline. Crankcase with filter holds five quarts of oil.

Mileage: About 22 miles per gallon in the test car. Estimated range is 333 miles in mostly highway driving.

Sound system: AM-FM stereo radio with CD player. Ford’s Mach 460 system. Totally boss boogie.

Price: The 1999 Mustang prices are not firm at this writing, but the estimate is $24,150, practically the same as 1998. Ford might also pull a value surprise by offering a lower price, which is what many of its rivals have been doing lately.

Purse-strings note: Compare with the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird convertibles. You might also want to take a look at the Chrysler Sebring convertible, though it is a mild runner in this high-horsepower category.