This 1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II looks like it’s lived somewhere between daily driver and project car for some period of time. It’s not a basketcase that’s been off the road for years, nor is it exactly in a high state of preservation. It looks like just a used car at this juncture, but I feel the tatty condition and automatic transmission may make the current price of $8,900 a tad ambitious at the moment. Find the Cobra here on eBay and listed by a dealer.
I do have a soft spot for the Cobra II, as it combines a few of my favorite things: loud factory graphics kits, air dams, and mesh wheels. The Cobra shows signs of wear and tear throughout, with surface rust blistering through in places. The wheels are mismatched and the Cobra front air dam appears to have had a run-in with a curb.
The interior is a brighter spot, as the bucket seats look quite nice and the carpets clean. The seller does say the Mustang runs and drives great, so perhaps that’s the justification for the price tag. This example also comes with a T-Top roof and a “replaced” automatic transmission per the listing.
The backseat looks practically unused, and the interior is overall a surprise considering the roughness of the exterior. There are other examples of body damage that may indicate poor storage rather than careless abuse. The seller notes that all gauges work in the cockpit, which is a definite plus, but I’m guessing there’s going to be more to sort out than just the cosmetics. Perhaps the option to submit a best offer could bring the Mustang home with a fair deal for all.
Some of the things you like are the things that I don’t: “loud factory graphics kits, air dams”. I don’t care for ostentation, especially in cars that can’t back up the talk. Personally, I’d sooner buy a Maverick than a malaise Mustang.
This one is overpriced. Someone who holds a nostalgic sentimentality for the Cobra II might eventually pick it up, but these weren’t good cars even in top trim.
I tend to agree, if the rust is bubbling through the surface, it’s probably a disaster underneath. I suspect that if this car is deconstructed, it would reveal that it probably will be a parts car in short order.
I don’t understand the graphics on different versions of these cars from the same years. The wife bought a brand new 78 Cobra, white with blue stripes and the COBRA graphic was bigger and down the side of the doors. I do disagree with anyone who says they were not good cars as her’s was very dependable and for the times was pretty darn fast not neck snapping but did very well against the competitors with the same HP ratings as these cars. The rack & pinion steering was a step above all others in it’s class. The feature car is over priced but it’s a dealer and who would have thought any different.
The graphics on this car are not correct. The 76 and early 77 cars had the traditional Lemans style stripes similar to these but these are clearly not even the correct early stripes. The late 77 and 78 cars had the Billboard graphics down the middle of the doors and fenders as you remember and a very wide single stripe over the bumpers, hood, roof, and rear.
I also enjoyed my Cobra II. And I respectfully disagree with comments about how bad they were. But, this one is definitively overpriced for the condition.
What’s strange is they already had this car listed on eBay with a Buy It Now of 7000 and it didn’t sell, that listing ended a couple weeks ago.
It didn’t get any takers the first time, and the seller decides “Well, it didn’t sell at 7k, I guess I’ll raise the price 1900 dollars and see if anyone wants it now”????
Maybe it’s punishment for perceived disrespect. 😆
I too had one of these. It was very dependable and a blast to drive.
Worth maybe $4k on a good day if someone is feeling super generous.
Best looking color combo though.
Wow, you certainly are generous on that price.
I don’t believe the seats are original. If it’s actually a King Cobra T top, those have pretty low production numbers. Not sure if this one is a Cobra II or King Cobra
It’s a Cobra II but not a original one.
This is not a King Cobra. The graphics are wrong. This has a wedge spoiler, King had an air dam
Hood scoop is wrong style. This may have been a mach 1 or a cobra.
I believe only the King cobras had T-tops , but not sure if it was even an option on the other models so it could be a King may not! 🤷♂️
You know you have these lame ass people coming on here pissing, and moaning about these car’s. They were what they were. I knew two people that had them. They were dependable, ran nice. Even in Wisconsin winter weather. 50 pounds of sand in the ass end, and they were great. Sure they didn’t blow away a Hemi Cuda, or a 455 Trans Am. Then again they weren’t built for that, so get the hell over it will you. All cars these years were lame. If your are complaining about them. You must be lame as well.
Glad you said this. Frankly, I don’t think we should be hating on each others’ rides and projects anyhow. The hobby should be supporting those who enter, whatever car they like. I have some I’d love. I don’t have to hate on others in order to love the ones I do (even if I can’t afford them).
Did the Cobra II come with a V8 in 1978?
I seem to remember you had to step up to the King Cobra to get the V8, otherwise it came with a 6 cylinder.
Miguel yes the Cobras came with the 302 which is what my wife’s new 78 had from the factory. The King Cobras came with the V8 also but with a few more options and the special graphics. The base model Mustang II came in a 6 banger but you could order a V8 I think as a option.
Let me begin by saying that the Mustang II is my all time favorite car. I know they have been underappreciated by many in the hobby through the years, but I respect their position in the Mustang story, and they racked up some of the highest sales of the name during their time.
I have personally owned three, from a hopped-up teenage ride, to a straight line terror, t-top Cobra, to a completely restored luxury ghia, and many of my friends and family have had their own enjoyable experience with them.
As for this one, it’s in sad shape and a few things about it don’t add up:
As mentioned earlier, the wheels are mismatched, the side decal is not a factory original and misplaced on the side of the car. P!us, the seats do not belong in this car and this color combination was only available on the Cobra in ’76 & ’77.
In my opinion the seller clearly has no idea what they have in this car (or don’t have) and has overpriced it by 7000… and that’s being generous on my part.
@Miguel- yes, the V8 was available in the Cobra, exactly the same as in the King Cobra- 139 hp. However, back then the Cobra could also be had with the V6 or 4cyl, with either a 4spd or automatic transmission, and the V8 could be mated to any body style and any package. All show and no go, perhaps, but that was their lot in life. It was the Seventies, ya gotta give ’em a little love. Lol
Given the way some folks get bent out of shape over these, it’s sometimes fun to imagine the full blown hemmorrhage that would have resulted if Ford had gone ahead and put M-U-S-T-A-N-G on the Probe. Granted, I myself would have found it aggravating but the sun would still rise and Spring would still come…