This 1999 Ford Mustang Cobra looks like a fair-condition driver priced reasonably with under 80,000 miles and the preferred manual gearbox. The SN95 Mustangs and later “New Edge” models like this car are still surprisingly affordable entries into muscle car ownership. This genuine SVT-built Cobra isn’t the sexiest color combination out there with a tan top over a matching leather interior, but there’s something to be said for an unassuming performance vehicle. The seller reminds us that these Cobras packed 320 b.h.p. and that under 1,000 were made in white, so for under $13,000, you’re getting a fair amount of power and exclusivity. Find it here on craigslist for $12,500 near Philadelphia.
Like Mercedes has AMG and BMW has the Motorsports division, Ford’s Special Vehicle Teams group has an impressive track record of building factory performance cars sold with a conventional warranty and permission to drive the living daylights out of them. From the Mustang to the Lightning to the Contour to the Focus, SVT has done a bang-up job of enhancing numerous bread-and-butter Ford models that almost always accelerated and handled better as a result. The Mustang was a little less subtle in announcing the increased performance on board, with the “Cobra” lettering standing out loud and proud across the rear bumper.
The interior of this stock convertible is in good shape, but the “New Edge” cars didn’t do much to change the notoriously cheap materials found within. While I don’t have many good things to say about modern vehicles, the interior quality of American cars has certainly increased dramatically since the early 2000s. The Mustang convertibles had a surprisingly high take rate in automatic transmission form, so it’s refreshing to see a droptop with three pedals. The seller mentions how this Cobra remains numbers-matching and that it comes with a brand-new top and the OEM boot cover still in the trunk. Even the stereo remains factory stock.
The engine bay is super clean, even with close to 80,000 miles on the clock. With no mention of modifications (unless that’s a cold air intake I’m looking at…), this Cobra is a smart buy in terms of protecting your investment. I don’t think we’ll see these take off price-wise in the short term, but there’s no denying the genuine Mustang Cobras have always had a following and a steady price appreciation over the years. With the Fox-body Cobras routinely selling for north of $30,000, it’s a reasonably safe bet to believe the SN95s will someday command the same sort of premium. For now, buy one cheap and just enjoy the thrust and the noise of an SVT-modified V8. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rex M. for the find.
Quite similar model and condition to the 1997 white Cobra convertible from a few days ago. This one has a new top and features the slightly-updated styling for 1999. As others have noted, lots of bang for the buck.
Good job Jeff with the write-up. I agree, SVT seemed to have the formula right. Better performing vehicles (power and handling), visual upgrades and upgraded trim without overdoing it, didn’t over- or under-produce them, the price premium wasn’t excessive. Just about every SVT model is well-regarded today.
I have no useful information to add here ,other than I owned a white over black 99 mustang for several years. (Not a cobra) and while it wasn’t the fastest car on the road and my ford focus out handled her, It was just plain cool. Fun to drive and got lots of comments (she wasn’t exactly stock ) any who I would highly recommend the SN95.
People should remember that the SN95 was just a refresh of the previous model. So the chassie dated back to 1978. Obviously, it was not cutting edge by 1999. This car’s claim to fame was the independent rear suspension, which somewhat updated it.
Having owned a 1999 Cobra convertible, this is not all original. 1999 Cobra didn’t have cobra on the rear bumper cover but still said mustang, this one has been replaced probably due to accident damage as it would be enormously expensive to replace for cosmetics. The 99s also had the horsepower recall and fix which resulted in no standard cobras being produced in 2000. Only limited numbers of cobra Rs in 2000. I didn’t see the sticker on the radiator support indicating such. Also all Cobra’s had sticks. Cold air intake is obviously not original either.
I also forgot to mention that as a result of the horsepower recall, owners received a limited edition leather SVT bomber jacket with their vehicle serial number in it. It should be sold with the car if not in tatters.
Some great and interesting knowledge there, thank you. I have also read that if the car was recalled in the ’99 Cobra recall, there would be green or black dot on the intake manifold. I don’t see that either. I don’t know if Ford would fix it now 23 years on.
As to the rear bumper cover, his Carfax shows no accidents, so maybe it Was added later. Bumper covers can get chewed up over time if you parallel park. But yes, you would want to check that out and make sure there’s no damage.
In case anybody’s interested, back in ’99, a bunch of then-new 1999 Cobra owners complained to Ford about the about the anemic nature of their Cobras, no doubt after getting their clocks cleaned by the new LS1 Camaros and Firebirds. As a result, there was a recall of the 8,300 cars made that year.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-08-22-9908220223-story.html
As the old Tribune article notes, this was caused by a restrictive intake manifold with too much material and exhaust system with a restrictive muffler.
It was a pretty big deal at the time and I remember it distinctly. I think it cost about 50 horsepower or something like that, so it wasn’t just a small gripe. Mustangs fans were humiliated and angry.
I had one, and while it was an extremely reliable car, LEGO used better plastics than the ones used in the interior of these.
Hard to believe they used to check the aim of always clear sealed beam headlites at my state owned big inspection stations – every year. When the so many different modern headlites came out – with their plastic covers – not only did checking the aim of them stop, but the inspectors let completely fogged up(like on the car above) & even yellowed covers pass.
Just shaking my head from side to side repeatedly, wondering how many nighttime accidents were/are caused by them.
Located in Drexel Hill, PA
The Airbag Still Reads COBRA. Most people don’t change them for S&G. My 2010 Flex took a Less Than 10 MPH HIT and the insurance replaced the rear bumper cover $3200.00, Nothing on the CARFAX when I traded it 3 years later. If it’s been in Pa. it’s whole life, I’d be more worried about RUST. Look it over and then drive it like it was meant to be driven. I’m not a DROP TOP FAN,
We bought my wife a triple black cobra convertible 1999 it performed well for the time and better after the recall. We received the leather jacket with vin number on it, set of Driving CDs mixed for Ford and a cobra key fob. Had it dinoed rear wheel was 287 hp. Got into a freeway race with newer Pontiac firebird he got the jump maybe car and half and I had only dropped to 4 gear. ( those mod motors like RPMs) as soon RPMs got up we went on around him wife said I had got him slow down when I checked the Speedo was passing 135 man what a ride