Yes, it’s time to get behind the wheel of another Mustang. Another five-litre American V8 with the soundtrack to match. This time, a convertible in a particularly vivid green and some design details to make it stand out from the norm.

The black racing stripes, unique alloys and a few other styling elements denote this as the Series 55, marking 55 years since the original Mustang rolled off the production line. At first, this seemed to be a slightly odd thing to mark with a special edition, but it got me thinking. How many models of car can you buy today that have that pedigree? Even the venerable VW Golf was only first built in 1974.

I have done a little thinking and have come up with a very short list of cars that were available to buy in 1965 and are still around today – in the UK market at least. VW Beetle, Landrover Defender (albeit with some substantial changes) and I think that might be it. So yes, 55 years is worthy of a celebration!

And Ford, as usual, has done it well. The engine is always a winner, the 10-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive, and the car offers a truly ridiculous level of practicality – yes, I do mean that. Four good seats, a big boot and a surprising amount of comfort thanks to not having stupidly low profile tyres. Heated/ chilled seats and Ford’s quick-clear windscreen mean it’s ready to go when you are and, most importantly, the noise.

The best sounding engine on the market

I have said it before and I’ll say it (many times) again. I think the noise of the Ford V8 is one of the best, if not the best, sounding engines on the market today. Audi’s V10 in the R8, McLaren’s V8 and Aston’s cars all sound good, but there’s something about the warble and roar from the Ford unit that always makes me smile. It’s just fun to drive.

It’s fast, but not monstrously quick and handles better than would be expected from an American muscle car, but the sound makes up for it. In my opinion, the Mustang generates more noise and smiles than nearly any other fast car I’ve driven. And it also doesn’t generate the same level of animosity that I sometimes encounter.

I often receive disdainful looks when driving a fast or noisy review car, but the Mustangs I’ve reviewed have never suffered the same fate. I think it has something to do with their origin – a muscle car for the working classes of America. It was built for the many, not the few, and somehow this heritage has endured – even in a country that it wasn’t intended for.

A couple of my friends have bought Mustangs, and I remain envious and proud of them for making the right choice in near-equal measures. One day, I’ll join them, but only when I can come to terms with the fuel consumption. Granted I may have been slightly heavy-footed, but over a week that massive engine returned only 21mpg – and I don’t think that would improve much with experience. Both my friends have said they’re now on first-name terms with the staff at their closest petrol stations!