1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra Hatchback
1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra Hatchback Description
1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra Hatchback• 86,025 original miles, sold on actual mileage title• Last model year for second-generation Mustang• Very original King Cobra• Rare steed - one of 4,313 King Cobras produced in 1978• 302 CID Windsor V-8 engine (code F)• C-4 three-speed automatic transmission (code W) and 2.79:1 rear end (code 3)• Bright Red exterior (code 2R) and black interior (code AA)• Power rack-and-pinion steering and power brakes• T-top roof panelsAt the height of the Disco Era, Ford decided it had to inject a bit of fun to its Mustang to boost sales against its archrival, Chevrolet’s Camaro.In 1978, the “King Cobra” became available. This was a limited-edition version with 4,313 units produced. It featured a deep air-dam, stripes, and a “Pontiac Trans Am-style” cobra snake decal on the hood. The King Cobra was available only with the V-8 to help bolster the car's performance image.The King Cobra did without the usual bodyside striping, but it did have a unique tape treatment, including a giant snake on the hood and pinstriping on the greenhouse, decklid, wheel lips, rocker panels, beltline and around the side windows. In front was a large air dam and on the side were color-keyed sport mirrors.Made in Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan factory (code F), in February 1978, this all-original example is one of 4,313 units made in 1978. It was shipped to the Cleveland, Ohio sales region (code DSO 42).Dressed in Bright Red (code 2R), the car’s paint and trim are in overall good order. The bodywork is straight and solid however, the passenger door is hard to open and difficult to latch. The cargo area looks good and the body-colored bumpers fit tightly to the body.This Mustang rides on Carlisle radials, size ST 185/80R13 at every corner. Each one is wrapped around a factory, aluminum wheel with a lace pattern. The wheels are in good, original order while the tires are in very good shape.Under that King Cobra hood is a 302 CID Windsor V-8 engine (code F), backed by a C-4 three-speed automatic transmission (code W) and a 2.79:1 differential (code 3). Driver convenience features include power rack-and-pinion steering, power brakes and T-tops.Inside, the black interior (code AA) the black buckets and rear folding bench are in satisfactory order but there are tears in the driver’s seat that have been taped over. The matching carpet and headliner are in good, original condition. The three-spoke steering wheel looks good, as does the instrument panel and inner door panels. The horn and the tachometer are inoperable. The chrome, floor-mounted shifter and a factory AM/FM stereo complete the interior.The second-generation Ford Mustang, marketed as the Ford Mustang II, is a two- or three-door, four passenger, front-engine/rear-drive pony car manufactured and marketed by Ford from 1973 to 1978. Introduced in September 1973 for model year 1974, the Mustang II arrived roughly coincident with the oil embargo of 1973 and subsequent fuel shortages.Four-hundred and ninety pounds lighter and almost 19 inches shorter than the 1973 Mustang, the second generation was derived from the subcompact Pinto platform using a unique unibody with an isolated front suspension and engine mount sub-frame while sharing a limited number of chassis and driveline components. The steering was improved from the previous generation by using a rack-and-pinion design.Named Motor Trend's 1974 Car of the Year and reaching over 1.1 million sales over four years of production, the Mustang II is noted simultaneously for both its marketing prescience and strong sales — while regarded by certain enthusiasts as having abandoned essential aspects of the Mustang heritage.Competition to this Mustang in 1978 included AMC’s AMX, Buick’s Skyhawk Road Hawk, Chevrolet’s Camaro Z-28 and Monza 2+2 Sport Spyder, Datsun’s 280Z 2+2, Oldsmobile’s Starfire GT, Pontiac’s Firebird Formula and Sunbird Sport Hatch.Ford fans, Mustang fans and 1970s-era car collectors should make a point to check out this original Ford Mustang King Cobra from the era of polyester, disco balls and Studio 54 in New York.VIN: 8F03F177037This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 86,025 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, actual mileage Indiana title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
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