Opportunities for enthusiasts wanting a high level of horsepower had turned pretty dismal by the mid-to-late seventies, but Ford was at least beginning to head back in the right direction, reintroducing a V8 engine option into the Mustang in 1975 after a previous one-year absence for the beginning of the car’s second generation of production in ’74. While it didn’t provide additional performance capabilities, the new Cobra II package in 1976 certainly made the car look faster, and for ’78, the one-year-only King Cobra is probably the most fondly remembered offering from the Mustang II era. With only around 4,313 produced, chances to score one don’t turn up very often, and this 1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra here on Facebook Marketplace seems like a fine example. This one’s in Kimberly, Wisconsin, and still hasn’t found a buyer in 20 weeks for $14,400.
We’d like to thank reader Lothar… of the Hill People for sending us the great tip here! While the King Cobra is somewhat scarce in today’s marketplace, finding one equipped with T-Tops is even more of a rarity, so the desirability here is certainly enhanced by this fun feature. Adding the KC package to the Mustang II included a standard front air dam, a hood scoop, and some distinctive decals, but this one’s missing the latter, so it’s been repainted at some point. However, the body appears to be in exceptionally nice shape, and the seller says it’s been stored inside for the past 40 years, so there’s little to complain about here regarding the appearance outside.
The sole engine choice was a 302 V8, with a 2-barrel Motorcraft carburetor sitting on top, and a single exhaust including a catalytic converter. The 5.0 was only producing 139 horsepower at the time, but with all the cosmetic additions the King Cobra came with from the factory, most motorists would have thought the V8 was stronger. The seller mentions that he’s owned this one since 1982, and that the mileage of 61,000 is actual, so hopefully, this one’s still performing close to the way it would have been back in ’78.
We only get to view this single photo from the inside, but it’s enough to surmise that the interior likely remains in good enough condition to be considered a nice driver. We can see there’s no clutch pedal, so this one’s got the optional automatic transmission, though I’m guessing many potential buyers would prefer the standard manual. While not one of the most capable pony performers, there’s a lot to appreciate about the 1978 Mustang King Cobra, especially for the period it came from. The seller also says to make him an offer, so there’s a good possibility that the price is negotiable. How much would you be willing to spend here?
Fine analysis Mike. For the generally unloved Mustang II, the King Cobras are probably the most desired. Of course one has to place them in the context of their times; the strangled 302 was as good as it got, and fancy stripe kits were the order of the day. That said, this tamer-looking example looks pretty good. Long term ownership is a plus.
If the KC wins approval from a Mustang aficiando like yourself, it makes me appreciate it even more! Thanks for your input!
Another “woulda, coulda, shoulda” from 15 years ago. I balked at a King Cobra, for $5,000, pristine, with 30,000 miles on it, back then.
This is when Detroit had to leave it up to us again. These cars responded very well to intakes, carbs and camshaft swaps..plus iys more fun to do it yourself :-)
Imo, the fastback Mustang II when done for racing looks very sharp. To me that means opening up the fender wells and flaring the fenders just a little. Visually its worst feature is the small wheel openings. The only other issue is the engine is a little more forward than preferred. Grass Roots Motorsports did a build on one(20 years ago? Damn I got old fast.) that really came out well.
Small wheelwells for small wheels, all in the search for weight saving and better mpg. Reading an article recently about the Lamborghini Countach, hard to believe the initial models came with 14″ wheels. Writers talk how fuel injection and computer controls have improved our driving environment. Progress in tire technology is often overlooked.
The very 1st mustangs came with 13″ wheels – even v8s.
Unfortunately 20 weeks on the market tells you either potential buyers aren’t interested in the car or willing to make an offer the seller is willing to accept or there is something wrong with it that isn’t evident in the ad. The rear looks to sit high and those rims don’t help the car in the looks department. These aren’t bad looking cars, but they seem to get more love on this site than in the real world.
Steve R
Its a clean one here. I am not much of a Ford guy but I would put a set of Ford rims on it.
The low HP figures during this time are so hard to explain to newer generations used to Toyota Camrys with 300hp v6’s today.
My cherished 1980 BMW M535i as a euro greymarket car roaming the US highways in the early 80s with a 218hp 3.5liter high compression straight 6 would have been a terror to this Mustang KC. And it would even give a Fox body 5.0 or Z28 a good run.
Dark Days in Detroit.
I personally like these Mustangs II’s. They have decent looks and it wasn’t just this gen Mustang that suffered in the performance department. During this period all cars suffered a lot. I’ve never driven one, although I used to cruise around in one with a friend before I got my license. I thought they rode very well. His had a modified 302 in it and it moved pretty good. There must’ve been something good about the suspension because plenty of kit cars back in the day used Mustang II suspension, so it must have had some redeeming value to it.
This one is nice! I prefer it without the graphics. Toss a 4 barrel intake on it and have fun with it! Love that it has T-tops!
Besides, Farah Fawcett couldn’t be wrong driving one of these!
neat car. rare well that is up to each person. 1 thing i can say is those wheels really hurt the look. put some factory wheels on it and i bet it sells
I agree about the rims.
The usual engine and suspension upgrades (intake, heads, headers, dual exhausts) will cure any power or handling deficits in short order. I’d go with EFI instead of a four-barrel, though. I like it without the graphics. I could be wrong, but those seat covers don’t look stock, though. Yes, the third pedal would have been better, but beggars can’t be choosers, and the A/T is good for better times at the drag strip, LOL!
There was a white one of these that sat for years at an abandoned property just off the NJ Turnpike by exit 7A. Property had “No Trespassing” signs posted on it. I wonder what ever happened to it?