“To dream the impossible dream.” Okay, you’ve now discovered that I can’t sing, but I can still dream. I’ve stated previously that, in an ideal world, I would park a 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra in my garage at the drop of a hat. Disappointingly, that goal may be unattainable for me, but you could be more fortunate. This Cobra isn’t a low-mile example that has spent its life squirreled away in a garage. It is a driver-grade classic that its owners have enjoyed as its creators intended. They have done so while treating it with respect, allowing the buyer to slip behind the wheel of a Ford that looks good and drives equally well. The seller has listed the Cobra here on eBay in Walker, Louisiana. They set their BIN at $28,500 with the option to make an offer.
When Ford released the Fox-Body Mustang for the 1979 model year, it envisaged a production run of between five and six years. Although initial sales were healthy, volumes dropped during the mid-1980s. Ford had a replacement ready to go in the form of the Probe, but buyer backlash against the concept of a front-wheel-drive model motivated the company to revamp the Mustang and keep it rolling out the door until the end of 1993. Ford established its Special Vehicle Team (SVT) in 1991 and decided to hand the Mustang to that organization in 1993 to provide a fitting send-off. The result was the SVT Cobra, a model that was an immediate sales success. By the time production ended, an impressive 4,993 of these classics had received the SVT treatment, resulting in cars that looked and performed impressively. Buyers could choose from four paint shades, with 1,854 selecting Black, which cloaks this car. The paint holds an excellent shine, reflecting its surroundings like a mirror. It isn’t a low-mile vehicle, making the fact that close inspection reveals a few minor chips and swirls unsurprising. However, with straight panels and no rust, it is comfortably acceptable as a survivor-grade vehicle. The aerodynamic additions forming part of the Cobra package are intact and in good condition, while the unique 17″ wheels are free from physical damage.
While most buyers who ordered a ’93 SVT Cobra in Black chose the Opal Gray leather interior trim, this car is 1-of-448 featuring Black cloth. It also scores air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, and power lumbar support. Interestingly, this is one of the few we have seen without cruise control, and someone replaced the original stereo with a modern unit with a backup camera. Considering this Cobra has 120,000 miles on the clock, its interior presents extremely well. The seats exhibit slight wear, but there are no signs of developing holes or other emerging problems. The plastic is in good condition, and there is surprisingly little wheel wear.
SVT didn’t merely slap some spoilers and bigger wheels on a Mustang and hope for the best. It attempted to create a ‘total” package with plenty of engine power and excellent handling. The 5.0-liter “HO” V8 received GT40 cylinder heads, larger injectors, an upgraded intake, exhaust improvements, and a tweaked electronic engine management system. The attention to detail reaped rewards, with the engine’s power and torque figures climbing from 205hp and 275 ft/lbs to an “official” 230hp and 304 ft/lbs. The differences don’t sound dramatic, but contemporary road tests resulted in the Cobra showing a Mustang GT a clean set of heels, covering the ¼-mile in around 14.5 seconds. There was no automatic transmission option, with buyers receiving an upgraded five-speed T-5 manual. The suspension benefited from Bilstein shocks and other suspension tweaks, providing handling that matched the engine’s performance. The seller recently replaced this Cobra’s shocks and struts. They say that this gem runs and drives exceptionally well, with this YouTube video confirming that the V8 sounds as sweet as a nut.
This 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra isn’t perfect, but it is the type of classic where the buyer can slip behind the wheel to enjoy a relaxed, rewarding motoring experience. Although I aspire to own a Cobra, my dream car would wear Teal Metallic paint. Of course, if someone offered me this gem as a gift, I wouldn’t say no. I may not be in a position to give it a new home, but I suspect that we have Barn Finds readers who are. If that is the case, it will be fascinating to discover whether any of you may pursue it further. I am happy to offer my service as a chauffeur if that is the case, and I would do so for free. What can I see? I’m just that type of guy!
Cruise control was not available on the 1993 Cobra. You had four options to choose from. Sunroof, CD, leather, and power seat. Three color options only, Red, black or teal.
Gee, this over-rated bar of soap was only one second slower than say, a Yamaha XS 650 motorcycle, a bike not known for its performance. Be that as it may, at least this car is well-preserved and if driving one of these is your thing, it should be enjoyable.
Comparison to a motorcycle, really?
This ’93 SVT quarter mile time matches the time of the high compression, solid lifter ’70 LT-1 Camaro – that not known for performance?
This was 1993 for the SVT , not today.
The effort was to build a durable, balanced street/road car not a race car. A Race version was available, but this model was the launch of the Special Vehicle Team and the Mustang evolved quickly from there. Today’s 500 hp GTs owe a great deal to this early work.
Not much was not modified for ’93: rear discs a first, Tokico shocks with special valving, Crane roller rockers, undrdrive pulleys, and much more.
Just saying
ALWAYS pays to read the Vehicle History Report listed on Ebay.
Nowhere in the Ebay add does it list the car as having a Salvage Title. The car was apparently sold at a Salvage Auction. Has has two accidents according to the Experian Autocheck Report on Ebay, showing severe damage. The car has 10 previous owners, in a number of States. Buyer beware on this one. Do your homework. The details can be seen on the Experian Autocheck Report if you go to the Ebay add.
The 10 previous owners alone is a red flag. Thanks for the comment. I’ll take this one off my shopping list. ;)
I’d be much more concerned about a salvage brand and accidents than a car having several owners.
Certainly is a Red Flag. ANY time a rare car changes hands that many times, there’s always a reason. I had my 93 LX covertible for 23 years and would still have it except it caught fire and was written off. One they’re Branded, the value goes down the tubes.
Seeing the history, I’m not sure that $28,500 is a realistic price, especially without any pics underneath on a rack or an explanation of the damage and the fixes done. Some salvage titles are relatively harmless, but not many. I’d say the mileage, history and title status take this one out of the collectible market.
Nice clean car but that Vehicle report is always going to be a negative that will always affect the worth of this car.
sounds to me this car is cursed with bad juju. i personally have found black cars to be bad luck. had a 96 ss imp in black. i was hit twice in it. not my fault. i off loaded it asap. great car just bad luck
Had a 1986 Chevy Caprice fully loaded Brougham model from 1995- 1999 and it performed very well Original owner had minor front accident before me and it got totaled out here in las Vegas Nevada not my fault with over 220,000 miles on it after driving cross country from New Jersey a few years before. It was BLACK too!! Being a auto tech there was nothing wrong with the car the whole time I had it. I loved that car it was a great cruiser!