For sure, the Mustang II has a smaller fan base than other eras of the classic Mustang. But as we’ve discussed before, it’s not nearly as bad it’s often made out to be when equipped with the right options. In this case, a King Cobra equipped with the 302 V8 and four-speed manual gearbox should make for a fine fair-weather companion that will at least still make the right noises and certainly ensure you’re in one of the rarer Mustangs offered. While rarity doesn’t always translate into value, it’s certainly not every day you see a Mustang II King Cobra, and certainly not one as clean as this. Find it here on eBay with bids to $7,600 and no reserve.

The King Cobra represented the swan song for the Mustang II, and was effectively a one year only model offered with a variety of visual upgrades. These included the mesh wheels, rear spoiler, front air dam, fender well spoilers, and gigantic snake on the hood. A unique decal kit was also offered to help set the King Cobra apart from the rest of the Mustang II lineup. The end result was a car that certainly looked the part of a muscle car, but still had plenty of convincing to do among the Mustang faithful that this was a suitable replacement for the Mustangs they still pined for (spoiler alert: it didn’t work.) Eventually, cars like this would just be gutted for their drivetrains and suspension components, but fortunately, this one never was – although it apparently comes with an aftermarket exhaust.

That said, I don’t mind the slight deviation from stock, as the freer flowing exhaust likely sounds pretty good with the 302 under the hood. Plus, it has the added benefit of being a four-speed car which means it will sound even better when you downshift into third. The interior is in fair shape, but I have to say, no matter what that seat cover is hiding, the cover itself is far worse than seeing some tattered upholstery. Get rid of that thing! The passenger seat looks decent and door panels present well, along with the dash. The seller mentions that center console isn’t bolted down but doesn’t explain why. The seller reports that mileage is indicated as being just over 79,000 but can’t validate it 100 percent.

The engine bay looks to be very well detailed, and quite a bit better than the rest of the car. The paintwork does look good and dark navy is a color we don’t often see on the King Cobra, but the engine bay is what gets my attention the most. The seller notes the King Cobra received a new steering rack in the past year and that there are no leaks at present, but doesn’t go into deep detail about other repair work he’s done. The tires are old and should be replaced, and the seller notes he only does short drives with the Mustang II due to the tires. The carburetor has also been rebuilt in the past and is said to still run great. Overall, the King Cobra isn’t for everyone, but I think clean examples like this deserve our consideration. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Larry D. for the find.