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21,000 Original Miles: 1996 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT

This 1996 Ford Mustang Cobra checks a lot of boxes as a desirable, limited production specimen. The Cobra of this generation marked a significant leap forward, with a hand-assembled, DOHC V8 churning out a healthy 305 b.h.p. This clean example has just 21,000 miles and is one of just 2,000 cars produced wearing the trippy paint code known as “Mystic,” which had shape-shifting tendencies depending on what sort of light it was parked under. The SN-95 Mustangs aren’t the most coveted models available, but low-mileage Cobras of any generation will always get our attention. Find it here on craigslist for $15,900 in New Hampshire.

To be fair, that asking price seems downright cheap for a Cobra as clean as this, and wearing the limited-production paint. The interior looks as you’d expect for a specimen with under 25,000 original miles, with clean leather buckets that show virtually no signs of wear and tear. Of course, it’s the preferred manual transmission, which is a must-have for unleashing the fury of the 4.6L V8. The Cobra of this generation could eclipse 60 m.p.h. in under six seconds and run the quarter in a hair under 14, while continuing on to a top speed north of 150. That is a serious amount of bang for your buck if you’re open to a slightly older platform that’s a bit short on refinement.

Despite living in New Hampshire, the Mustang looks ridiculously clean underneath. Though we don’t consider it a particularly advanced model by today’s standards, the SN-95s were still a big leap forward over the Fox body platform, especially when enjoyed in Cobra trim. The all-aluminum V8 was hand-built and offered drivers a truly special powerplant, as opposed to the one-size-fits-all 5.0L V8. While the market has been sleeping on or downright ignoring the fourth generation Mustang for years, time-capsule examples like this Cobra seem likely to jump in price in the short-term to me, as they’ve simply been too cheap for too long.

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhess Member

    Nice car, but since it’s the engine that makes this car attractive it would be nice to have a picture of it.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar J_Paul Member

    Wow, a Mystic Cobra — I was just thinking about this exact car a couple days ago (a friend of mind bought one new back in ’96).

    The paint on these was really interesting, and would flip between dark green, purple and bronze depending on how the light hit it. Unusual, to be sure…and very ’90s. I wonder how many of these still exist with the original paint?

    Like 4
    • Avatar MrMustang

      They made 2000 of them and I just bought a 7400 mile one last year. Looks brand new and even smells new. Mine is number 1327 as they were all numbered. Mine is immaculate!

      Like 1
  3. Avatar Superdessucke

    A suprising dirth of photos for such a low mileage snake….

    Like 2
  4. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    I always wondered why the roof & quarter panels on this & many cars as new or newer were no longer 1 smooth piece of metal – till i realized those are plastic roof sail panels & more plastic around the sides of the windows! Why??!!

    Like 0
    • Avatar CCFisher

      Easier and cheaper to cover the sail panel seam with plastic than to properly finish it.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    I think Jeff is spot-on with his analysis. The interesting Mystic paint adds to the desirability, at least for me it does. I’ve always liked these Cobras, the triple black convertibles also being favorites. This price is very reasonable for a low-mileage Mystic, more along the lines of one might find for a regular white or black or red Cobra coupe. I wouldn’t be surprised if the fourth gen Mustangs start to step up in value.

    Like 2
    • Avatar MrMustang

      I have three fourth generation Mustangs. The Cobras are getting harder and harder to find, especially ones with low mileage like my Pace Car, 30K miles, and my Mystic 7456 miles on it. I agree with you, they will rise in price just like the foxes. These cars handle much better, brake better, and are more comfortable than a fox. They will have their day soon…

      Like 1
  6. HoA Howard A Member

    Considering the bad taste the ’88 LX had in my mouth, my next Mustang changed all that. I picked up a rather plain, ’95, V6, 5 speed. It was everything the ’88 wasn’t. I loved that car. The V6 had plenty of steam, more room, rode nice, decent mileage. I’d have to say, out of hundreds, it remains my favorite car. I didn’t care where Mustangs went after this, but this is a nice car. I guarantee, the new owner will not be disappointed.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Bill

    I have a 97 ‘vert, the engine is really sweet in these cars, 6850 RPM redline.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Oddimotive Cason Member

    This seems like a lot of car for the money, considering the cool and rare factors related to the Mystic paint. I like these and the very rare 1995 “Black and Tan” Cobra convertibles, but this one wins, as the paint was truly unique and it has the DOHC 4.6L.

    Like 1

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