44,809 original miles. Beautiful paint and interior, very well maintained. Upgraded with 4.10 gears, heavy-duty control arms, and lowering springs. 17-inch Cobra R style wheels with newer tires. Just a super clean Cobra that’s a ton of fun to drive!

If you were a Mustang guy in the ‘90s, this was the car you wanted to own. That 32-valve V8 with dual overhead cams and 305 horsepower was a legend and with a few minor tweaks, it was also one of the fastest cars on the road. It was also remarkably civilized, with a grand touring attitude to go with its Mustang street brawler DNA. This particular 1998 Ford Mustang Cobra coupe has always been treated as something special and it shows: the factory Laser Red paint glows, the interior is tidy, and the modifications are smart, not abusive. And yes, that is all original paint, so you know the car has led an easy life. It has a great look, especially with the lowered stance, and the SN95 styling has aged rather well almost 30 years later. We like the stock hood with its slightly flared nostrils, and this car is thankfully free of goofy aftermarket add-ons like a cowl-induction hood and a giant wing. If you remember how they were when they were new, this car will feel like coming home.

The black leather interior is likewise very nicely preserved. There are some comfort marks on the driver’s seat, but no splits or tears and the leather is still supple. The seats are extremely supportive for spirited driving but comfortable for long-distance hauls, something the Cobra does extremely well. Gauges were white from the factory, one of the Cobra’s unique features, and the rest is familiar Mustang fare. Of note, everything works, including the ice cold A/C, and even the original AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo sounds pretty decent. A Hurst shifter with cue ball knob has been added to the 5-speed, making the shifts feel like the flick of a toggle switch, and this car is just a joy to run through the gears. Other details include floor mats, aluminum pedals, and a super clean trunk that looks like it’s never been used. You’ll look for a long time to find a cleaner Cobra.

The whole reason we lusted after the Cobra when it was new is under the hood: a 4.6 liter DOHC 32-valve V8 that spun out 305 silky smooth horsepower and an equally strong 300+ lb-ft. of torque. Each engine was hand built and signed by its builders, and somehow Ford was able to make it feel like the legendary 5.0, only a lot stronger. This one is mechanically unmodified, so the basic reliability is unaffected, and make no mistake, these engines were bulletproof. Thanks to factory controls, it starts instantly, idles properly, and just rips through the gears. You’ll be accelerating and it feels like you should shift, but a glance at the tach shows you still have another 3000 RPM before redline. Nice! There’s plenty of low-end grunt, and with 4.10 gears in back, you’d better believe this car is quick. The DOHC motor loves to spin, so it’s still relaxed on the highway, especially with that tall overdrive 5th gear, so don’t let the gears intimidate you. It’s still very chill. The factory suspension has been augmented with lowering springs and custom camber plates to fine-tune the alignment, while out back there are reinforced trailing arms to help plant the rear axle. The Cobra’s big 13-inch PBR brakes are plenty powerful, and ride quality is still excellent. A set of custom mufflers have been added to the stock exhaust system to give it a slightly more aggressive sound, but it quiets down on the highway like it should. And obviously it has never seen winter weather, as the undercarriage is quite clean. Pretty chrome 17-inch Cobra R style wheels are fitted with staggered 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear performance radials with plenty of life left in them.

Documentation includes the original owner’s manuals and advertising brochures.

26-year-old me wanted one of these so badly when they hit the road, but alas they were expensive for a kid working his first job. Today, however, the mighty 32-valve Cobra is insanely affordable and still delivers a top-tier driving experience. It’s sophisticated yet offers that tail-out fun for which Mustangs are justifiably famous. It’s comfortable but fast. And when a Mustang does everything this well, it’s pretty easy to make a case for putting it in your garage. Call today!

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