8807 original miles (not a typo). Completely stock and original, right down to the tires. Awesome color combination. Properly maintained and stored in a climate-controlled environment. Ford’s surprisingly sophisticated pony car, just as amazing as you remember!

Mustang fans were skeptical of the “modular” OHC V8 that replaced the perennial favorite 5.0, but those skeptics were silenced in 1996 when the killer 4.6-liter DOHC V8 landed in the Cobra. With four whirring camshafts, 32 valves, and 305 of the most silky smooth horses you’ve ever experienced, it completely transformed the Mustang from “crude but fast” to “is this a better car than a BMW?” Showing just over 8800 original miles, this awesome Laser Red 1996 Mustang Cobra reminds us just how special these cars were. Physical changes over the GT were subtle: round fog lights, different wheels, twin nostrils in the hood, and COBRA lettering on the rear valence, but it was enough. The Laser Red paint is beautifully preserved, and it’s the kind of color that will have onlookers asking you, “What color is that?” It’s deep and rich, with a bit of metallic to make it glow in the sunlight. Oddly enough, Laser Red is rarer than the special Mystic paint, with only 1940 coupes built in Laser Red. There’s obviously no damage, no rust, and even the chin spoiler and rockers are virtually unmarked. This is still a great-looking car!

The tan leather interior is simply gorgeous. Gone are all the hard angles and plastics of the Fox platform, replaced by a highly functional dual cockpit design that was a big step forward. This was the most expensive Mustang ever made (to that point) and Ford designers knew that “cheap but fast” wasn’t going to cut it. The seats are every bit as comfortable as they look and they’re highly adjustable. The fat steering wheel tilts and frames the big white-faced gauges, which were unique to the Cobra. Of course, as the top-of-the-line model, everything was standard: A/C, power windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, rear defrost, and a decent AM/FM/cassette stereo with a CD player underneath. It’s all beautifully preserved and fully functional, and we’d guess that nobody’s ever been in the back seat. The trunk is unmarked and includes a space-saver spare that’s never been down.

The heart of the Cobra was an all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8 with four cams and 32 valves, showcasing Ford’s commitment to eliminating pushrods. In practice, the Cobra V8 was a jewel, impeccably smooth yet torquey, and the exhaust note sounds like ripping silk. It’s the most civilized pony car you’ll ever drive. It was so special that the guy who assembled it put his signature on the valve cover. There are myriad modifications available for these engines and if you want more than the stock 305 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, there’s a whole industry to back you up. But when you’re buying, what you really want is a car that has never been modified, never abused, never raced, and that’s this car. From the air filter to the mufflers, it’s 100% OEM Ford. It runs beautifully thanks to the wonders of modern fuel injection and it’s every bit as quick as you remember. A slick-shifting 5-speed was the only transmission available in the Cobra, and it spins standard 3.27 gears in the rear end. The suspension was heavily modified compared to the GT, with a more civilized—yet more competent—ride. Brakes are giant 13-inch rotors with 2-piston calipers up front, same ones used on the track-only Cobra R. You’ll note that the underside was lightly undercoated by the dealer back in 1996 and everything else is unmarked and it has obviously never seen inclement weather. Unmarked aluminum wheels were also unique to the Cobra, and wear their original 245/45/17 BFGoodrich radials (we recommend new tires if you’re going to drive the car regularly or at high speeds).

The factory owner’s manuals are included.

If you were there in the mid-90s, you wanted one of these. And fortunately, this is one of those legends that lives up to the hype. Sure, it’s no match for today’s 600 horsepower monsters, but there’s something special about all those cams and valves spinning along at 6000 RPM that other cars just can’t match. Add in the traditional Mustang rear-wheel-drive playfulness and you get one of the best pony cars ever built. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.