Super Clean Survivor: 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

One of the joys of writing for Barn Finds is having the privilege to write about classics that are obviously valued and treasured by their owners. Such is the case with this 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. From its sparkling paint to its spotless interior, it ticks the boxes that many enthusiasts consider crucial when spending their money on such a purchase. The fact that it is a turnkey proposition is the icing on this very tasty cake. The more you look, the more you may be tempted to give this Cobra a new home.

Ford offered 1993 SVT Cobra buyers a choice of four paint shades, although two were variations on the same Vibrant Red. The Clearcoat variant was the more common choice in that case, with our feature car 1-of-1,775 ordered in that color. Faulting its presentation is virtually impossible, because the paint shines like a mirror, and there is no evidence of chips or marks in the close-up shots. The seller doesn’t mention a restoration history, but the lack of defects on the front bumper may indicate a touch-up. The panels are straight, and this classic appears to be rust-free. The glass and alloy wheels look flawless, and this Cobra may win a few fans courtesy of the first owner’s decision to order it with the factory moonroof.

Lifting the hood reveals what separated the SVT Cobra from a regular Mustang GT. Both feature a fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8. However, SVT “breathed” on its engines, upgrading the cylinder heads, intake, exhaust, and other components to boost power and torque from 205hp and 275 ft/lbs to 230hp and 304 ft/lbs. Those increases don’t sound dramatic, but it is common knowledge that Ford understated both to avoid backlash from insurance companies. The power feeds to a Traction-Lok rear end via a five-speed manual transmission, allowing the Cobra to cover the ¼-mile in 14.5 seconds. Yeah, baby, the performance cars were definitely back in Detroit! The seller is light on information regarding this car’s history and odometer reading. However, it appears to be a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.

The first owner’s interior trim decision further increases the rarity of this Cobra. Of the 1,775 cars produced in Vibrant Red, only 414 featured Opal Gray cloth. This is one of those cars, and as with the exterior, there is much to like about the interior. There are no signs of wear, abuse, or UV damage. The car retains its correct SVT floor mats, and the only visible aftermarket addition is the Alpine Bluetooth stereo. These Cobras weren’t just fast, with the company ensuring they were comfortable. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power lumbar support, and a leather-wrapped tilt wheel.

I make no secret of the fact that I have long admired the Fox-Body Mustang. Its styling blew in like a breath of fresh air, and it was a happy coincidence that its production run coincided with Detroit rediscovering its high-performance mojo. The seller listed this ’93 Mustang SVT Cobra here on eBay in Pacoima, California. Bidding has surged past the reserve to $28,100, with the listing history suggesting this auction has far from run out of breath. Recent sales results suggest it should surpass $40,000. If it sells for less, it could be one of the great bargains of 2024.