Few names in the Mustang lineup are quite as attention-grabbing as King Cobra, and this 1978 Ford Mustang currently listed on eBay certainly has the right ingredients to get enthusiasts looking twice. Finished in yellow with a black interior, it’s equipped with a 302-cubic-inch V8, an automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. The seller also describes the car as well preserved and advertises it as having 44,000 original miles.
Mileage, however, is one detail that prospective buyers will want to clarify. While the listing headline claims 44,000 original miles, the eBay item specifics show 98,000 miles. With two different figures appearing in the same listing, there’s no basis for choosing one over the other without additional documentation from the seller.
The King Cobra is listed with a 5.0-liter 302 V8 and an automatic transmission. Beyond that, the supplied information doesn’t include mechanical details, maintenance history, or specifics about any previous work, so it’s best not to assume what’s been done under the hood. The listing mentions several comfort and appearance features. The Mustang is said to have air conditioning, power windows, a sunroof, a rear spoiler, and a cassette player. The seller’s headline also mentions a Deluxe Marti report, but the listing includes no details from that report.
There is another discrepancy worth flagging. Two different VINs appear in the eBay specifics: 8F03F193432 near the top of the listing and 8F03F149033 farther down. A serious buyer would want to straighten that out with the seller and compare it against the car’s documentation. Some of eBay’s other automatically populated fields are questionable as well. The listing specifies driver, passenger, and side airbags, but the seller-provided material includes no supporting information about those features. Rather than trying to reconcile those entries, we’d simply recommend verifying the equipment directly.
What remains is an intriguing late-1970s Mustang combination. It’s a 1978 King Cobra with a 302 V8, automatic transmission, yellow exterior, black interior, and a clean title according to the listing.
The conflicting mileage and VIN entries deserve answers, but they’re questions, not reasons to invent a story about the car. The seller’s mention of a Deluxe Marti report may provide useful documentation for a prospective buyer to examine. There’s also the question of whether this really is the “King” of the Cobras. What do you think?
Discrepancies that Elizabeth notes aside, this looks like a good example of a King Cobra. It’s not perfect, but overall looks good. Eye-catching colors and the in-your-face hood decal, I’d get the upholstery fixed and whatever other shortcomings are most concerning, otherwise just enjoy it. The 302 is welcome, though I would prefer a manual transmission. These do have a degree of collectability and this one should bring five figures.
As is often the case, show us the Marti Report!
Thanks Elizabeth.
The seller has two other Mustangs listed, way too many sketchy things on this.
What is the point of the picture with all the doors hood and hatch open?
That year of mustang may have had a driver’s airbag, but I do not think the others were available back then.
The first year for an air bag on a Mustang was 1990.
The II’s never had power windows or seats. Never had air bags unless your mother-in-law was in the car. Show us the vin tag that should have KC on the tag. I have a King from new with 4 spd. It’s surprisingly a spunky little car for the times it was built.
No power windows, and no airbags. In one of the interior pictures you can see the window crank knob. cool car though.
Nothing beats the look/style of the first gen Mustangs.
I am quite fond of the ’67 fastbacks. The new GTD looks phenomenal, though, too.
Settle it! Marti Report.
sure, looks flashy. i don’t know about the 22k though but somebody may bite.
Funny how many styling cues it takes from the trans am of the same period.
Anyone else build this model kit way back when? I wanna say MPC…….
eBay ad is over.
It has been relisted.
Airbags were science fiction back in 1978. Just the last year of a Mustang II with the engine and transmission upfront driving the rear wheels like God and Henry Ford intended..
You could not get a factory Ford Mustang II (1974ā1978) with power windows.
It has been relisted.
For me this was a Pinto with a v8.
They were popular in my high school days,but I never felt like it was a mustang
That’s a lot of flags. Could also be a seller that doesn’t really know anything about these cars – which sometimes is a good thing.
No, there were never airbags of any kind offered in this generation of Mustang.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to determine which way the wind blows on this one, especially with a site inspection. To me it presents well in the photos as a solid, likely well-maintained and well-enjoyed vehicle. If I was interested enough, I’d consider running another report on the confirmed VIN.
KING COBRA? š¤£ Hahaha!
With all the discrepancies listed, I would still purchase the car. AFTER A VERY THOROUGH INSPECTION AND A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTION! I. Love these cars almost any Mustang except the MachE.
It is obvious the seller is not on top of things , I had a 78 coupe and the things that this car is to have did not either come on Mustangs or were in the factory as just a gleam in some designers eye.
I would like to know if it has been in an accident and was pieced back together. Somewhere I saw a āKCā on a fender tag but it looked to be torn and bent( may not have been this car ) all in all I would be in an a sell for around $6,000.00 no more than $7,800.00 if things checked out correctly. Lots of hidden work could be needed. That with all cars equals lots of cash spent and a mad wife! BEEN THERE DONE THAT , NOT MUCH FUN!