1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra 302 4-Speed

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While it might not have possessed the performance credentials of its predecessors, the 1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra could still hold its head high in an era when classic V8s were being hamstrung by tightening emission regulations. Ford produced the car in limited numbers for a single model year, and it marked the last hurrah for the Mustang II. Our feature car isn’t perfect, but it could represent a fantastic project for the right person. It is complete, structurally solid, and features a healthy and desirable V8/4-speed drivetrain. Barn Finder Larry D has once again demonstrated an uncanny ability to spot interesting classics, so thank you for referring this one to us. It is located in Walnut Cove, North Carolina, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has rocketed beyond the reserve and currently sits at $8,025.

This Dark Midnight Blue King Cobra isn’t perfect, but it has plenty of positive attributes for anyone seeking a project car. The first of these is that it does appear to be complete. The spoilers and alloy wheels that were part of the package are present and could see ongoing service once the buyer has treated them to some light restoration work. The body has a few dings and dents, and while some enthusiasts might choose to replace the affected panels, I can’t see any reason why a determined person couldn’t repair them. The paint and decals will require attention if the car is to be returned to a factory-fresh state. The paint shouldn’t present a significant challenge, while reproduction decal kits are readily available for under $300. The big news with this classic surrounds the ever-present question of rust. The owner doesn’t mention any issues in the listing, and apart from what might be some spots developing in the lower corners of both doors, this King Cobra appears to be pretty clean. So far, then, this project is looking fairly straightforward.

If this Ford has a genuine low point, that title could fall to the interior. It isn’t horrendous and remains serviceable, but returning it to its former glory could present a challenge or two. The Chamois vinyl upholstery on both front seats is split, and there’s some evidence that the back seat is headed in the same direction. That’s not a huge issue because a determined owner can find a complete set of covers in the correct color, pattern, and material for around $530. The carpet looks okay, but a new full set at $290 would boost things further. The crack in the pad could be a prime candidate for repair with a product like Polyvance, but some issues could represent genuine challenges. The console is floating loose, it looks tired, and its lid is missing. I went searching for a replacement console and had no success. I plumbed the depths of eBay and checked all of the usual suppliers for reproduction consoles but came up empty. However, I did locate a supplier who stocks reproduction lids for $70, so buying a lid could represent the first step in restoring the existing console. I suspect that may be the only option available unless the buyer is willing to wait for one to appear for sale online.

I admit that I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this engine photo. While the interior condition might be a low point, the engine bay represents a polar opposite. I can spot some rattle-can work that is pretty ordinary, but there are also plenty of positives. The original owner ordered the car with the 302ci V8, 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Okay, I’m the first to admit that the King Cobra lagged behind the more potent 1st Generation offerings from a performance perspective. However, before we condemn this car, we need to remember just how badly all American V8 motors were being strangled during the last half of the 1970s. With that thought in mind, the 17.1-second ¼-mile ET didn’t look that bad. The engine bay makes a positive first impression, but things only seem to get better the further we delve into this classic. It appears that the owner has recently fitted an aluminum radiator, and he states that he has also installed a new steering rack. He says that there are now no fluid leaks, which is always a plus point if you want to keep a pristine concrete driveway or garage floor clean. He treated the carburetor to a rebuild a few years ago, and the only issue with the car that he notes is that the tires are pretty old. He drives the vehicle locally but recommends replacing them before the buyer hits the highway. And hitting the highway is something they could do immediately because the owner states that this King Cobra runs and drives well.

The Ford Mustang II is a car that polarizes people. Some enthusiasts seem to like it, while others can’t seem to stand it. However, its production represented another calculated risk taken by Ford, and it eventually sold in respectable numbers. The reality was that when Ford began planning a replacement for the 1st Generation Mustang, they had to make some tough decisions. The 1st Generation had morphed from lean and mean to obese and serene, and the final cars were almost a parody of the iconic earlier offerings. The company could’ve developed a replacement based on the Maverick platform, but that would’ve involved retracing previous ground for the Mustang brand and its engineering base. Ford also had the option of placing the badge into hiatus or retiring it completely. They chose the option of basing the replacement on the smaller and more efficient Pinto platform. At the end of the day, it meant that the Mustang returned to its roots. The original Mustang had been a sales sensation that owed its underpinnings to the humble Falcon. The Mustang II repeated that formula, albeit to lower sales volumes, with the Pinto. That makes the Mustang II worthy of its place in automotive history and makes this 1978 King Cobra an excellent candidate for restoration.

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Comments

  1. Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

    Looks like a nice King Cobra. As the seller notes, the dark blue wasn’t a popular color but looks good. Needs some interior work, but as Adam notes, finding parts isn’t easy. It is odd to say, but this could be considered a “stripper” King Cobra. Check out the window sticker: doesn’t even have a factory radio, though there is a note for the buyer to consult their salesperson for a dealer-installed radio. The four-speed is a plus. A King Cobra fan will have a good car which can be improved.

    Like 7
  2. Moparman MoparmanMember

    Although I like Mustang II’s, I never cared for the King Cobra version. This one looks to be a good platform to bring it back to full glory. GLWTA!! :-)

    Like 1
  3. JOEY V

    The original owner ordered the car with the 302ci V8, 4-speed manual transmission,….That was the STANDARD powertrain for the King Cobra.

    Like 0
  4. George,Member

    Perfect car for the times. It brought rack and pinion steering, strut suspension, and vastly improved fuel economy to the Mustang…..and made it ready to compete with new import competition.

    Like 2
    • JCAMember

      It wasn’t a Mustang though, It’s a Mustang II, different model

      Like 0
  5. djjerme

    I like the look of this one. Needs a little more meaty tires, but I’d rock it as is and track the snot out of it.

    Like 2
  6. Paul T Root

    My best friend got one identical to this in college. A big improvement from the deuce and a quarter he was given from is Grandma.
    He spent an entire day removing the stupid spider decal off the hood.
    It was really nice for its day.

    Like 1

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