The Mustang II has always suffered when compared to its predecessors. However, the pair were from very different eras in automotive history. One was a product of the swinging 60s, while the other hit the market when tightening regulations stifled engine power and performance. A few owners sought to squeeze more from their Mustang II, as is the case with this 1978 King Cobra. Its engine bay houses an upgraded V8, and a few interior enhancements add to its appeal. It has generated significant interest, proving that the Mustang II is beginning to emerge from the shadow cast by the First Generation Mustang.
Ford knew its Fox-Body Mustang was waiting in the wings for 1979, deciding to add at least a splash of excitement to the outgoing model before it disappeared from showroom floors. Part of its strategy was the introduction of the King Cobra, a car whose graphics and decals owed little to subtlety. The first owner ordered this classic in Polar White, but somebody changed the color to Code 1C Black. I’m typically not a fan of this paint shade, but I admit I don’t mind the transformation. The seller admits there are marks and blemishes, but I agree with their assessment that it is acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The panels are straight, and the underside shots confirm this King Cobra is rock-solid. The buyer must address a loose end on the spoiler, which is this car’s most pressing exterior issue. The stripes and graphics are crisp and sharp, and I can’t spot any significant panel defects. Some buyers will appreciate the first owner’s decision to order this Ford with a T-Top, which is a welcome feature on a car with dark paint and no air conditioning. The trim is in good order, and this classic rolls on its original wheels.
The 1978 King Cobra was “V8-only” territory. Buyers received the 302ci V8 and could select from a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. The 302’s power and torque indicated the impact of emission laws on performance, with the driver having 139hp and 250 ft/lbs at their disposal. It delivered a ¼-mile ET of 17.3 seconds, which was miles away from the figures produced in the badge’s glory days. However, the story is entirely different with our feature car. Its engine bay houses an upgraded 302, and while its specifications are unclear, it sends its power to the road via a five-speed Tremec manual transmission. The car also features power assistance for the steering and brakes, and the King Cobra sits on new BF Goodrich tires. The changes seem justified once you watch this YouTube video. The engine sounds as sweet as a nut, and this classic accelerates strongly when the driver stands on the gas. Interestingly, the video also confirms the Mustang doesn’t suffer the typical squeaks and rattles that develop with age.
The included Marti Report tells us much about this King Cobra. The first owner took a “bare-bones” approach to the Order Form. They selected a rear defroster, and I think there might be cruise control, but they passed on features like air conditioning. Much has changed since then, with the dash now housing a custom Stewart-Warner gauge cluster and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. The presentation is tidy for a survivor, with the seller replacing the carpet in the rear cargo area, installing a new dash cap, and fitting slipcovers to the worn front seats. It has no immediate needs, but splashing around $400 on a complete set of seatcovers would lift the appearance significantly.
The seller listed this 1978 Mustang II King Cobra here on eBay in Hendersonville, Tennessee. It was only a few years ago that it would have caused barely a ripple in the market, but this classic has received an impressive thirty-five bids. It is still below the reserve at $11,100, and it would be fascinating to know what the bidding must reach before it finds a new home. What is your expectation for a sale price? More importantly, do you find it interesting enough to follow through by joining the action?
Would be nice to know exactly what the engine specs are and a few pictures not taken from a drone would be nice too. Big motor, small car always a fun thing.
Yeah for all we know they “upgraded” the engine by removing the smog stuff sticking a set of platinum plugs in it.
Looks like someone threw a blue garden hose under the hood.
Blue garden hose. Lol.
The best modification to this car is the Stewart-Warner gauge cluster. The rest is still factory lipstick-on-a-pig Mustang II.
I must respectfully disagree about the Mustang II. The front end is still the gold standard for Rack and Pinion swaps, and the V8 can be setup to overcome the effects of the primitive emission controls of the era. The one thing I don’t like about the car is the Steward-Warner gages, I wish the stock instrument panel had been retained, as Dakota Digital doesn’t have an electronic gage package for Mustang II’s yet. A coil sprung rear end would have to wait for the Fox-Body cars, but the leaf sprung rear end dates to the car’s Falcon roots, so in that regard, it’s no worse than the first generation Mustang. They sold like hotcakes when new, but most have rusted out to the point that they have returned to the Earth from which they came, or have been recycled as Toyotas, LOL!
I always thought that these looked kinda Trans Am tuff, only smaller.Which translates to faster when the 302 is breathed upon.Without even pulling the engine,300hp is easily attainable with heads,cam, headers,even a Holley Sniper EFI tossed in the mix with that 5 speed Tremec and a set of 3:73s,ba-bye Big T/A
Well, the outside looks nice
Not a Ford guy, but this is beautiful! I would be proud to drive it. But no AC, so a huge pass for me.
Nicest version of the least-desirable Mustangs. I’d drive it, but I’d keep the windows rolled up at the stop lights, to minimize the unsolicited opinions.
The problem I have with American emissions regulations is that while they may help reduce harmful emissions, they do little to nothing to help with performance.
I’ve never understood the hatred of the Mustang II among the Ford crowd. These cars have style, and the surely resemble the early cars a lot more than the 71-73 that came before and the Fox body square box thing that came after. Yes they were built with very little power, but they were really big in my area with the Pro-Steet crowd. There were several running around with big tires and tunnel rams sticking through the hood. You could make these light weight ponys really fast. Everyone likes to compare them to the pinto and then bring up the gas tank issue, but have you looked at a first generation mustang? The gas tank is the trunk floor, there is no solid fire wall between it and the back seat, so the first generation mustang is just as prone to firey crashes as the pinto was and yet it is a revered classic and the mustang II is just a dressed up pinto. Doesn’t make sense. Anyway, that being said this is a decent car, I personally like the standard cobra better than the king cobra, I don’t like the band that goes over the roof on the king cobra or the backwards hood scoops. I wish they would have built them with 5 lug wheels though, the 4 lug thing really limits your options.
As light as these Mustangs are ,if you were making around 275-300hp that would be plenty “built”.I had 275hp in a 1970 Ford Maverick,only weighing around 2600lbs.Great in a straight line,not much handling.Had to pretty much power around the corners.The price here might be going out of line,$11k so far w/o hitting a reserve?These cars aren’t all that,a little overrated….Flashy paint and graphics…
I never was a fan of the fox-body mustangs. However the Mustang 2 I’ve always like the body style. In fact it was my first car in my teens. While it didn’t have the power of those pryer. It was sufficient for me going back and forth to work. More power for a teen just meant a ticket lol. This particular car I really like but with no A/C and living in the south, no way.
I thought the King Cobra had fender flairs of an IMSA style and louvered 1/4 windows. Without those looks like Cobra with shade kit.
I could never get past those monstrous sized tail lights and bumpers. Always reminded me of an ant carrying around an object that appeared too big for it to pack around! The early Pinto / Maverick stick on looking small tail lights, as plain and ugly as they were, would’ve been better.
Mustang II V8 cars are under appreciated IMHO. I know they didn’t have a lot of horsepower from the factory- but neither did anything else in that era. Lots of ways to boost horsepower in a small block Ford. This one’s not my cup of tea however. I’d prefer the original white and 3 pedals.
note the 78 cobras and king cobras were std with blacked out moldings tail lamp moldings marker lamps windshield would be sure the ford assembly build tag confirms is a real king cobra.
It comes with the Marti Report showing that it was a factory King Cobra. Only way it would be fake is if the VIN were changed
Ended at $11,900, Reserve Not Met.