1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra 5.0 V8, 4-spd, T-Tops, AC, Documented King Cobra

1978 Ford Mustang KING COBRA Description

Selling my '78 Mustang II King Cobra, No reserve auction. Rare, one-year-only car: Only 4,971 King Cobras made, slightly less than half had the 4 speed manual (2,404 were 4 speeds, the rest automatics). Only 378 of those were painted in this Dark Midnight Blue. With the other options, this car is certainly one-of-very very few like it.
I just purchased it about 5 months ago, right before the snow really hit this winter. I drove it into my pole shed for winter storage, and just took got it out last week. She started right up and runs smooth. I planned to keep it around for a while, it was a car that I had always wanted. But I'm sitting on Five old cars right now, and I HAVE to downsize.
Very well equipped with the desirable 4-speed manual, T-Tops, and even Factory Air Conditioning (a very rare combination). Odometer shows 86k miles (believed to be original). Starts, Runs, Drives & Stops Good. I've only driven it about 10 miles, but in that limited time everything seems mechanically sound. There was a spot of oil on the shed floor where it was parked when I took it out of storage, but the oil level was still good. I did give it a fresh oil/filter change before taking it on the road (and brand new air filter). Previous owner installed a performance aluminum radiator. Exhaust needs some work, but sounds great with a really nice V8 rumble.
Interior is overall nice, but needs some work to be a "show car" interior. Driver's seat bottom has lots of seam separation, passenger side has a little of the separation (see pics). Back seat is GREAT, as is the dash. Headliner is good. Carpet is overall presentable but pretty worn in the driver's foot-well.
Body is kinda like the interior. Overall pretty solid (quite nice for 41 years old), but needs some attention here and there. Some rust spots, and much of the paint (believed to be mostly original paint) has faded. I did try some polishing compoundin a few places and the old paint did come back quite a bit. Would really benefit from a new decal and stripe kit. especially that large Cobra hood decal (New decals are available for sale from a couple online vendors). Some nicks, dings and scratches here and there, but again overall pretty solid. Pictures show that the car is missing it's rear bumper rub strip, However the original rub strip is included, just needs to be re-installed (see pic of inside hatchback area). Original (King Cobra exclusive) wheels have corrosion on them, but still look OK. The under side of the car, though dirty, appears quite solid as well.
Check out all the pictures. I welcome (and strongly encourage) any interested buyer to come out and see it in person. A picture may be "worth a thousand words", but seeing it in person is worth a thousand pictures. If you can't make it out to see it in person, consider hiring an independent third party collector car inspection service.
Other details: A rear window Louvre is included, but not installed (see pic). It also comes with it's originaloem "T-Tops Bag" for storage while you're cruising with the tops out (again..see pic of hatchback area which shows the T-Tops put away in their bag and secured in the cargo area). A Standard "Marti" Report is included, as well as owner's manual, original sales invoice, warranty booklet, the window sticker and other documentation. The car is currently registered and Insured (Hagerty).
This King Cobra certainly isn't perfect, but it's overall quite nice. And unlike so many of those "project" cars out there that "ran when parked" or "will run if you pour gas down the carb.", this KC can be enjoyed right away. Work on it's flaws at your own pace while being able to cruise with it and even show it if you choose to.
And a quick note if you're shopping for a King Cobra. Check the vehicle "Buck Tag" on any Mustang II that is claiming to be a real King Cobra. The buck tag should show the code "KC" as mine does (see pic). If you find one for sale that doesn't have it's buck tag, then make sure it has a Marti Report, and/or original window sticker clearly stating that it is a genuine King Cobra. Clones are out there. I have all three (Marti Report, Window Sticker and correct buck tag).
Collector interest in the 74-78 Mustang II is on the rise, and the King Cobra is the ultimate of the Mustang II generation. Hagerty recently put the Mustang II on their "Hot List" of "8 Classics under $8k" (an article about cars that "have a higher than average Hagerty Vehicle Rating—so while they’re temptingly affordable now, they may not be as attainable a year down the road.")saying this about the Mustang II:
"The Mustang II is the Mustang peoplelove to hate, and for a long time it wasn’t easy to even give one away. But they’re really not bad cars, and the downsized Mustang II was a reaction to market realities in the 1970s that kept the badge alive. The laterFox-bodyand Coyote-powered beasts owe their survival to the older black sheep of the family. Collector car enthusiasts are starting to come around to them, too, as there’s been a 10 percent increase in buyer interest over the past year. Almost every Mustang II is affordable, even the V-8 but admittedly anemic 302-powered cars. And if you’re fine with the all show but no go character of the1978 King Cobramodel and are willing to stretch the budget a bit, it has a hood decal that’ll give a screaming chickenTrans Ama run for its money."
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2019/03/29/8-classic-cars-for-under-8k?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=19_April_6_Weekend_News
No reserve auction, High Bidder is the lucky new owner of this time capsule. Do NOT bid if you are not prepared to follow through with the purchase (for example: make sure you have the money, make sure it's ok with your wife to buy it, etc, etc). Your winning bid does NOT mean that you've won the opportunity to check out the car, it means that YOU BOUGHT IT!!!!!!! Located in Hudson, WI (about 20 minutes east of St. Paul, MN, and about 40 minutes east of MSP international airport). Clean and clear WI title in my name. Buyer responsible for shipping or local pick-up. I will help the new owner when I can with being available for the shipping company and whatnot.This car is over 40 years old and is sold As-Is & Where-Is. No warranty or guarantee written or implied.