We’re no strangers to Ford’s 1993 Mustang SVT Cobra at Barn Finds, having seen quite a few crossing our desks since the site’s inception. However, the ’93 SVT Cobra R is a different animal. I delved into our archives, discovering that our feature car is only the second that we’ve seen. That is understandable, because Ford only commissioned 107 of these classics as a fitting farewell to the venerable Fox-Body range. That rarity and the fact that this Cobra R has only 371 miles on the clock have resulted in an eye-watering asking price. The seller has listed this survivor here on eBay in Apex, North Carolina. How eye-watering is the price? The seller set it at $209,985 with the option to make an offer.
With its replacement waiting in the wings, Ford decided to send the Fox-Body Mustang out in a blaze of glory. It released the SVT Cobra, with the company finding buyers for its 4,993-unit production run. The car delivered impressive performance, and it is easy to see why they remain so desirable thirty-three years after the last vehicle left the showroom floor. The company could have rested on its laurels, but decided to push the envelope to produce the ultimate Fox-Body. It commissioned SVT to build 107 identical examples of the Cobra R. Ford chose Vibrant Red Clearcoat paint to ensure the vehicle made a bold visual statement. It utilized the same aerodynamic spilers and skirts as featured on the Cobra, adding unique Black-painted 17″ alloy wheels. The first sign of the weight-reduction program was the decision to eliminate the foglights and antenna, since neither was required for track action. This car’s presentation is all that you should rightfully expect from a classic with a three-figure odometer reading within this price range. That means it is cosmetically perfect and hasn’t developed any rust issues. The glass is clear, and the wheels are spotless. If you parked this Cobra R on a showroom floor, it wouldn’t look out of place.
SVT took the more “pedestrian” Cobra as the starting point, adding a splash of Tabasco to produce the Cobra R. It utilized the same enhanced 5.0-liter V8, delivering 235hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque. Every car received the upgraded five-speed manual Borg-Warner T-5 manual transmission, with power steering and brakes as standard equipment. However, from there the story becomes very interesting. Ford spent a considerable sum on new Kelsey-Hayes brakes, fitting the front with 13″ vented discs, and the 10½” rear discs also ventilated. The suspension received rock-hard Eibach springs and adjustable Koni shocks, while the strut tower and subframe braces increased torsional rigidity. SVT upgraded the cooling system with an improved radiator and separate coolers for the engine oil and power steering. The result of this effort was a potent package, with Ford quoting a 0-60mph figure of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. The figures might not sound startling in a modern context, but they were pretty special in 1993. The history of this Cobra R is unclear, with the seller supplying no information regarding its service history or whether it is roadworthy. If the buyer intends to slip behind the wheel, a thorough inspection would be wise to ensure everything is spot on. However, I would expect any classic within this price range to be a turnkey proposition.
Mechanical upgrades were only part of the Cobra R’s story. Ford put the car on a serious weight-loss program, shedding over 400 lbs from the Mustang’s curb weight for improved performance. Air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, and a stereo. That is a list of the items buyers didn’t receive when ordering a Cobra R, and adding any of those features wasn’t an option. It went further, because the vehicle received lightweight front seats, and the back seat was deleted to shave away more pounds. The speakers and associated wiring went into the bin, as did most of the sound-deadening material. With no creature comforts, it is easy to see Ford’s focus on a racing life for these classics. This survivor features most of its original protective plastic, with the Opal cloth beneath in perfect condition. There is no wear, and no evidence of any other issues. As with the exterior, this interior is beyond criticism.
This 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R could be a case of Ford saving the best until last. It was essentially a racecar for the road, making it unsurprising that Ford required potential buyers to possess a valid Racing License. History suggests that while the company’s focus was on competition, many buyers squirreled these cars away as long-term investments. That begs the question of what the future holds for this Cobra R. I would love to think that the buyer will drive it as its creators intended, participating in track days to reduce the risk of accident damage. However, its rarity and odometer reading lead me to believe that it will spend its time in storage or a museum, rarely seeing action. It will be a shame if that is the case, because cars like this are designed to be driven to the max. Do you think that will happen, or will it rarely see the light of day?
Nice write-up, Adam. This is indeed a special car, with stasher non-miles, that should still have the capability to thrill. Maybe there is someone who will get close to the ask. What did it list for originally (thinking ROI)?
Thorough write-up Adam. I think the original sticker price was $54,995, which is about $127,000 in today’s dollars.
I checked the ebay link. It looks like the car is at a Ford dealer in Apex NC. Reviewing their inventory, they have a large group of collector Mustangs, a couple Foxes but mostly newer performance models. All with low or ultra-low miles. I’m assuming it is the dealer’s personal collection, for sale “at a price.” Perhaps a Barn Finder who lives nearby can fill in details.
That’s definitely an eye-watering price, Adam, but the Cobra R is an eye-watering car.
I drove one from Ford’s press fleet back in the day. I won’t say it scared me, but is sure as heck woke me up!. The thing was a beast, blessedly free of electronic aids that might have prevented my getting massively sideways on a freeway on-ramp (fortunately without any bad results). A really accomplished driver (preferably with dirt-track experience) might have been able to hurl it around, but I found finesse and a dose of caution worked best.
There was a rumor at the time that the 5.0 was making a good bit more than the claimed power, and I believe it. Handling and braking were worlds better than even a standard SVT Cobra which, by the way, was no slouch either.
I was quoted a very reasonable price (even though I had no racing license) for that car when Ford wanted to offload it, but I sadly couldn’t scrape up the money. It’s high on my list of automotive regrets.
But my ultra-thin wallet is a blessing in disguise, I think. If I could have afforded that car — or this one — I’d be racking up the miles continuously. And, with enough time and practice, they probably wouldn’t be gentle, around-town miles.
Ray, you are a lucky lad. Ford engineers grabbed alot of the goodies that made the Fox great and leveled up on these rare beauties. The red w black wheels looks great 👍
You can get a brand new Dark Horse SC for the same money, and it would run circles around this. Nostalgia would have to be hot and heavy for this kind of outlay!