Sitting for 20 Years: 1980 Ford Mustang Cobra
While we sometimes get accustomed to the nature of dramatic YouTube overhauls where cars and trucks are seemingly transformed right before our eyes, sometimes the transformation phase is much less dramatic. After all, a car can be pulled out of storage in relatively unscathed condition while still needing the usual assortment of deferred maintenance projects addressed; however, the physical before and after may be limited to simply blowing away the accumulated dust. The seller’s car is a rare early Fox body Ford Mustang Cobra that has been turned into a fun driver-grade specimen and features the rare Vaquero Recaro interior. Find the Mustang here on eBay where bidding is just over $3,000 with the reserve unmet.
These early Fox bodies are seriously good buys, and I suspect it has something to do with the fact that this body style gets dinged as being undesirable because of the cars that came with the four-cylinder turbocharged drivetrain. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with that engine choice, but there was a perception that the cars from the first few years of the Fox body design were somehow “weaker” because of it. But if you find one like this car – with the optional 302 V8 under the hood – you end up with a decent performer that may not be terribly quick but at least does the job of sounding like a proper muscle car with the right exhaust set-up. The staggered Centerline-style wheels are a very period-correct choice for a street rod.
Now, I have a personal connection to this interior. This was the optional Recaro seating setup, and the Pace Car Mustangs all came with it, but most of them wore blue cloth with navy vinyl bolsters. There were a few optional upholstery colors available but you never see them – it truly does seem like almost every owner went with the navy blue scheme. I have a set of these seats that have been under restoration for years, and I opted for the caramel-colored material in the center and along the bolsters; I am hoping someone wants the seats badly enough to make a fair offer for them. No matter what, these Recaros were some of the best seats ever offered in a production model.
The list of mechanical repairs undertaken by the seller reads like a step-by-step playbook for reviving a car that’s been sitting for a few years: new gas tank, fuel pump, brake hoses, wheel cylinders, brake drums, water pump, shocks, struts, and on and on and on. Bringing a car back after years of sitting may not be particularly complicated but there are some steps involved seemingly every time that you should be prepared to follow. In the case of this Mustang, the seller has revived a fun driver that is a true Cobra with all the right equipment still attached, and it looks like a bargain buy for any number below $8,000.
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Comments
Early four-eye Cobras, in any condition, are rarely seen. The interior on this example is indeed the unique part. Per the Marti Report, there were only 1517 Cobras with the 255 (not 302) V8, all with automatics. Of which only 73 were this color, of which only 6 had the Vaquero-colored Recaro seat-equipped interior. I wonder if SMS has the upholstery.
Lots of the mechanical work done. Could be a fun and different cruiser with some more work, for not much money.
I came here to make sure someone pointed out this wasn’t a 302. :-)
I now own the vehicle. Trying to find the interior Vaquaro plastic paint is a bear. The seats upholstery I cannot find. Interior code is TZ. I am bringing this car back to original. Removed all the dings and small dents. I am painting these areas. Next year I will strip the car of paint and do a repaint. The whole interior has been removed. Yep looking for the Vaquaro plastic paint! It’s a light brownish bergundy?
255 V8, no 302 offered in ’80 and ’81. A real slug, 110 hp.
Really cool car, but will be into deep. New roof, new cowl, lots of metal work and paint, easy 10k. That interior will be 3-4k, wheels/tires, ect. You will be into this 20-20k with no powertrain work. I just don’t see the value. Was a looker in 1980 thou !
Interior has been removed. Only needs front seat covers. Roof vent needs replacing. Little bit of body work. I’ll be showing it at car shoes in a year. The engine is a screamer. Yeah 4.6 ? The cam is nice!
Doesn’t need a new roof to me!
Really cool car, but will be into deep. New roof, new cowl, lots of metal work and paint, easy 10k. That interior will be 3-4k, wheels/tires, ect. You will be into this 20-25k with no powertrain work. I just don’t see the value. Was a looker in 1980 thou !
And at that point you might as well go whole-hog and upgrade the engine to a later 302 and swap in a T-5 manual. Which isn’t a bad idea at all.
Keeping it original. Might put a stinger gas system in it. But for now. It will be for show in a few yesrs. Took me 9 years to make my 69 vette perfect? Yeah, Mustangs are better and easier to redo. Won’t be perfect. Hate roof vents. That was crazy to fix. POR15 worked great.
Keeping it original. Might put a stinger gas system in it. But for now. It will be for show in a few yesrs. Took me 9 years to make my 69 vette perfect? Yeah, Mustangs are better and easier to redo. Won’t be perfect. Hate roof vents. That was crazy to fix. POR15 worked great. It’s a 1 off cobra.
Always liked the snake hood decal on these.
The GM chicken not so much.
Wish I had the room, these are cool cars.