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.