79-81 cobras, how many left?

[Sellis1012]

So I'm in the middle of rebuilding the carb on my 79 turbo Cobra, and need a kit. I call around, and nobody has it in stock. I talk to NAPA, who can get me one in two days. But I want it today! He tells me that it takes time to get parts for an antique! So I am just wondering how many are left. Not like in the junk yard, but driveable. If you own one or know of one, let us know. So, lets start the count-

#1 left

[Hissing Cobra]

#2. ;)

[coupe66]

#3 1980 Cobra 2.3
4spd
64,400 original miles
Soon to be back on the road :D
Picture in my album .

[GT350R]

Start your own registry :)

[Travis T]

I have a scrapped 79 Cobra 2.3T.

BTW, the carb is the same as any 79 Mustang with a 2.3, turbo or not. The local NAPA pisses me off with what they do and don't carry, I had to order a carb kit for my 84 GT, but I walked in and bought shocks right off the shelf for my 1950 F-1 Ford truck. Explain that one.

[gregpro50]

I have one its a black 302 4sp but its a project and I'm not sure what I am doing with it yet.

Over the years I have had a yellow '79, and orange '79, and another black '79. I have also had a black/green '80.

My friend has a white T-top 255 auto '81 Cobra and a blue '81 Cobra with blue recaro seats.

I think the reason why you dont see too many out there is because of the unreliable 4cyl turbo which caused many to see the junk yard early.

[Sellis1012]

I think the reason why you dont see too many out there is because of the unreliable 4cyl turbo which caused many to see the junk yard early.

I've heard alot about unreliability on these engines. What was unreliable? Is it something I can fix? I had a red 79 turbo Cobra back in the late eighties, early nineties that had 160 thousand miles when I sold it. I had owned it for a couple years and never had any engine problems with it. The turbo still worked too. I didn't know diddly about engines then so I have no idea what owners before me did to it. When I finally sold it, it had quit running. The guy I sold it to put a brain box in it and it was off and running again.

Also, do you guys think that the unreliability issue makes it uncollectible, or does the fact that there are so few of them makes it more collectible?

[Sellis1012]

Start your own registry :)

All four of us! :P

[negusm]

Back when they were first toying with turbos, the story went around like this (maybe complete BS):

If you had a turbo, you were supposed to let the car idle after driving it for 2 minutes to let the turbo cool down. If you shut the car off, there was a potential for it to cook over and warp itself. Eventually it would be ruined.

For this reason insurance companies were warning consumers about turbos and if you bought one you paid substantially higher premiums.

This is what I "heard" back in the day. I have no idea about its validity. My "impression" is that the japanese later got envolved and seemed to fix the reliabilioty issues (maybe not true either).

-Mike

[gregpro50]

I'm not sure what made them so unreliable but of all the cobras I had that were 4cyl turbo, the engines were all shot and the cars had very low mileage. The '79 yellow one only had 44k, the orange '79 had 80k, and the black '80 had 72k on it. The problems ranged from cracked heads to blown head gaskets to blown turbos. I was able to pick the cars up cheap and they were perfect canidates for V8 conversions because they looked like they should have had a V8 to begin with. If I didnt buy these cars there was a very good chance that they would have been scrapped.

I do have to admit though, the 4cyl turbo was a fun car to drive when it worked.

[Sellis1012]

My wife's grandpa told me to let it run for a couple minutes before I shut it off, so what you're saying is probably valid. He also said something about not revving it on start up because the turbo needed time for the oil to get to the bearings. Wasn't there a problem with the cars catching on fire?

[Sellis1012]

I do have to admit though, the 4cyl turbo was a fun car to drive when it worked.

My first Cobra was great fun in the sun with the sunroof off. Lots of fun getting on the freeway too. I could even lay a single tire patch from a stop if I revved it enough. Too little rev and it sputtered out. I loved the green turbo light. I have yet to drive this one. It has been quite the project. The carb should be the final step, but I doubt it.

[Hissing Cobra]

I've heard that they caught on fire too. I wonder if it's true. Even though the mileage on mine was just under 28K, the wires for the cruise control were melted/burned and the cruise control wouldn't work because of it. They ran directly beside the turbo! I've sinced fixed them.

[GT350R]

I've heard that they caught on fire too.

Thats ALL Fords! FYI, always replace the ignition switch on any used Ford you buy thats older then 92.


I think the reliability issues come down to three things.
300 miles of vacuum lines.
carbs and turbos/heat dont mix
Most people have no idea what detonation is , or why a Turbo car would need premium gas.


Something as simple as the wastegate hose dry rotting is a death sentance for a turbo engine with an unknowing owner.

The problem is that they were trying to make too many of them, not realizing that most owners didnt give a damn what was under the hood , and never wanted to see or know about it.

[Sellis1012]

Something as simple as the wastegate hose dry rotting is a death sentance for a turbo engine with an unknowing owner.

Yes! The lady I bought my Cobra off of drove it with the waste gate stuck closed! Turbo overheated, things started glowing red, and the car broke. I've been fixing it ever since.

[Travis T]

Melting a piston was the most common thing these turbo engines did when they came out in 79, I've got one like that. Most people seem to think the early turbo cars have forged pistons, but the one I have with a melted piston didn't, and it was all original. I haven't pulled the head off of the junked 79 Cobra I have, but it only had 15,400 miles on it in 80 or 81 when it was driven into the woods at a high rate of speed. Still runs good though.

[79mustangcobra]

Start your own registry :)


I have been working on this and was going to wait until I got this off the ground.

I bought the 79 Mustang Cobra registry. I have registered a domain name called 79mustangcobra.com

I just need to build the website. It will be dedicated to 79-81 Mustang Cobra's.

Take care,

David Bass

[Sellis1012]

Melting a piston was the most common thing these turbo it only had 15,400 miles on it in 80 or 81 when it was driven into the woods at a high rate of speed. Still runs good though.

That is hilarious.

[Sellis1012]

Start your own registry :)


I have been working on this and was going to wait until I got this off the ground.

I bought the 79 Mustang Cobra registry. I have registered a domain name called 79mustangcobra.com

I just need to build the website. It will be dedicated to 79-81 Mustang Cobra's.

Take care,

David Bass

David,

Did you know that when you do a search on google for 79 Cobra you and one other guy are at the top of the list? Anyway, glad you bought it, the other guy was doing nothing with it! I am looking forward to the site getting up and running. let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

[Hissing Cobra]

Me too! Good luck with it!

[Sellis1012]

The guy that had been working on it had a list of maybe 15 to 20 owners. What's really cool is there are two of us right here in Riverside. Both white with the same color graphics, but a year apart.

[Travis T]

it only had 15,400 miles on it in 80 or 81 when it was driven into the woods at a high rate of speed. Still runs good though.

That is hilarious.

Hey, mechanically that car is in great condition (but you should see the body - someone tried to fix it). I've been meaning to get over there and take a picture of that insulation for you.

[Sellis1012]

Yes, a pic would be awesome! You must also post a pic of the redneck body repair for our entertainment pleasure. There is absolutely nothing a hammer and a can of bondo from K-Mart cannot fix.

[Sellis1012]

Melting a piston was the most common thing these turbo engines did when they came out in 79.

Hopefully I fixed that with putting racing pistons in mine. Yup, with only 35,000 on the clock, I decided the oil sputtering out the tailpipe was being caused by #1 cylinder thinking it had overheat damage from the wastegate getting stuck closed. The previous owner continued to drive it like that until it drove no more. The cylinder was 7000ths out of round. Imagine my dismay when I got it all back together and it was still spitting oil. Yup, bad seals in the turbo will do that too.

[Sellis1012]

I have been working on this and was going to wait until I got this off the ground. I bought the 79 Mustang Cobra registry. I have registered a domain name called 79mustangcobra.com

I just need to build the website. It will be dedicated to 79-81 Mustang Cobra's.

Take care,

David Bass

Hey David,

I see you reside in Nashville. Why wasn't your Cobra at the 40th? You would have been the only one. You would have won something!

[Sellis1012]

Hey,

While were on the subject of Cobras, where is my freakin' buck tag! I found the ones on my other cars, but the Cobra's is mia along with the doortag. Don't mean to be a nag, but I'm on vacation this week(staying home), the kids are farmed out, so as of today, it's just me and the lovely missus. And of course she has no idea what a buck tag is, nor does she care.

[79mustangcobra]

I have been working on this and was going to wait until I got this off the ground. I bought the 79 Mustang Cobra registry. I have registered a domain name called 79mustangcobra.com

I just need to build the website. It will be dedicated to 79-81 Mustang Cobra's.

Take care,

David Bass

Hey David,

I see you reside in Nashville. Why wasn't your Cobra at the 40th? You would have been the only one. You would have won something!


I was out of town! I really wanted to go! I would have loved to shown my Cobra. Bucktag is usually behind the grill.

Pete, Is your Buck Tag on your Shock Tower? I thought I saw right in the Magazine.

[Hissing Cobra]

It is now. I had taken it off of the radiator support and installed it in a more visible location (like the older style Mustangs/Chryslers.) I cleaned and repainted it in satin black to match everything else. I put a dab of construction adhesive behind it and used a screw through the upper hole to mount it. It covers up a couple of the holes in the shock tower too.

[Sellis1012]

I have found nothing behind my grille. I think I'm outta luck.

[Sellis1012]

Found it. I would have to take the whole front end off to get a good look at it, or to relocate it. However, from the reverse side I was able to make out the entire word "Cobra" in the lower right. Shouldn't it be CBR and part of a longer number?? Anybody else have the word Cobra all by itself in the lower right?

[79 cobra]

There should be nothing to take off .
One screw holds it on .

[Sellis1012]

There should be nothing to take off .
One screw holds it on .

If only. The part of the buck tag that is secured to the car is sandwiched between the actual bumper and the bracket that holds the headlights. Like I said, the whole front end would have to come off.

[79cobra]

hey was wondering if you guys could help me out...
i would like to know once and for all if my car is a true cobra or if it has mearly been made to look like one
the vin is 9f03f154086
it was a 5.0 4 speed car, it is black it has all the correct interior badges as well as the door stickers but none on the hood
when i questioned the original he could not give me a difenitve answer

thanks for any info you can give me

[Hissing Cobra]

The VIN number would not show if it's a "True" Cobra. You would have to locate the bucktag on the upper radiator support beam. It's a little rectangle tag that should have a "CBR" stamped into it. If it's not there, you will not be able to "prove" that it's a true Cobra.

If your car is not repainted, there are a few other clues for you to check. These include:

1. Body colored sail panels (louvers on each side of the car that are beside each quarter window.) On the GT's and other cars, these were either Black of Charcoal Gray. On the Cobras they were painted the same color as the body.

2. Blacked out trim. All window molding, windshield wipers, cowl vent and mirrors were black, as was the bottom of the car's fenders, doors, quarter panels, and bumpers (from the bodyside molding down.) There were a few exceptions though. The aluminum piece of trim that runs up both front windshield posts and down the roof line is aluminum on the Cobras. The door handles, keysets, and antenna were also not black (chrome/stainless steel.)

3. "Engine turned" dash bezels and radio bezel. These were not Black like the GT's, Woodgrained like the GLX's or Ghia's, or Graphed like the later models.

4. The aforementioned Cobra emblems on each interior door panel and on the right side of the passenger dash bezel.

5. The Decals. They were standard on the doors but the hood graphics were optional and not all Cobras were manufactured with them.

Good luck!

[86REDGT]

I saw a white one this past Sunday. It was an '80 model. Owner said he found it in a barn. It looked pretty nice. I have a pic if someone can host it for me. Also saw an '84 GT-350 V8 vert, '84 GT-350 turbo 4 vert, Green SVO, '79 T-Top hatchback and a factory Mercury Capri Coupe. (Hard Top not a vert). Took pix of all of them.

[79cobra]

thank you for the info, i wll have to find my bucktag (recently removed during trans cooler install and subsequently "filed" in a mess i call a parts room) otherwise the clues which you eluded to seem to match up :D

once again thanks

[Boss 429]

[quote="86REDGT"]I saw a white one this past Sunday. It was an '80 model. Owner said he found it in a barn. It looked pretty nice. I have a pic if someone can host it for me. ) I would love to see a picture posted,if somebody could do it? I dont see any (mine) 1980-81 Cobras around here anymore. Thanks Gregg/Ohio Collector cars include:1973 Mustang Convertible,1969 Boss 429,1969 Torino Talladega, 1980 Mustang Cobra.

[sbcstang]

Back when they were first toying with turbos, the story went around like this (maybe complete BS):

If you had a turbo, you were supposed to let the car idle after driving it for 2 minutes to let the turbo cool down. If you shut the car off, there was a potential for it to cook over and warp itself. Eventually it would be ruined.



There are 2 types of turbos. Oil cooled and water cooled. I'm not sure on yours, but the mid 80's turbo Mustangs had water cooled Garretts. You can tell by looking for coolant lines as wells as oil lines going into the center housing of the turbo.
On water cooled turbos, it is not neccessary to idle down the turbos. They are being cooled by the engines cooling system the whole time the engine is running.
On oil cooled, you must run the engine at idle for at least 1 minute to allow the turbo housing to cool otherwise you will boil and cake the oil in the bearing housing causing premature failure.
It is easier to tell people to idle down all turbo charged vehicles than to have them distinguish which turbo they have and act accordingly.
I've done a TON of research. Eventually I will have twin turbo's on my Mustang.

[Freejack]

On the turbos, there are water-cooled and non-water cooled, all turbos get oil (they'd be very short lived otherwise). The T-3 which was common on the 2.3 EFI units came in both forms, and it really doesn't seem to make a hugh difference to turbo life either way.

It is generally considered a good practice to let the engine idle for a bit before shutting it down, but you'll find engines out there where the owner never did so and the turbo is still fine.

Jake

[Aku_81]

I´ve got one 1979 cobra with 302 and srod, i live in finland and i think here is least one other 1979 with 302 but it has automatic transmission, haven´t seen it yet and one 1979 2.3 litre turbo. One 1979 2.3 litre turbo has been changed v8 and is a drag racing car.

So at least four cobras in finland, some are hiding their cars so it is impossible to know how many are left, but still under ten cars. In the summer was big mustang meet in finland called funrun in Turku, almost 100 cars but only 3 four eyes and my car was only cobra.

[86REDGT]

I guess no one can post it up for me.
Hey Boss 429, I'll swap ya a pick of the 80 Cobra for a pic of the 1969 Torino Talladega. Even if you don't want to swap let me know how to get it to you. Any other cars you want pictures of and let me know your email address.

Thanks

[negusm]

I guess no one can post it up for me.
Hey Boss 429, I'll swap ya a pick of the 80 Cobra for a pic of the 1969 Torino Talladega. Even if you don't want to swap let me know how to get it to you. Any other cars you want pictures of and let me know your email address.

Thanks

You can email it to:

negusm@gmail.com

I will try and get it up for you. You weren't able to put it in your album?

-Mike

[gregpro50]

Here are some crappy pics of my old '80 Cobra. This is all I have left to remember the car by.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/762000-762999/762521_38_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/762000-762999/762521_39_full.jpg

[TurboCobra]

I have a 1979 Turbo Cobra, 4speed, sunroof, white on white with red carpet and red/orange decals. Bought the car 14 years ago with a grenaded trans. Fixed it covered it up...just getting it back out. :oops: Will have to relace ALL seals, hoses and gaskets now. Only 93,000 miles on it though. :D

[Mumfts85gt]

I have a 1979 Turbo Cobra, 4speed, sunroof, white on white with red carpet and red/orange decals. Bought the car 14 years ago with a grenaded trans. Fixed it covered it up...just getting it back out. :oops: Will have to relace ALL seals, hoses and gaskets now. Only 93,000 miles on it though. :D
Nice. Welcome to FEP. WARNING: We love pics around here. I can't wait to see it fixed back up. You might want to introduce yourself in the BS Section.

Rob.

[TurboCobra]

Anybody else have the word Cobra all by itself in the lower right?

I have a 1979 Turbo Cobra and the buck tag has MOON COBRA at the bottom.


http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=5559&sid=7441dfda78990eb3f7a8c7da8c9bb2ef

[TurboCobra]

Hi...Great site! Gave the car away 11 years ago (cried for days) and a year later it was returned untouched because the guy had taken it for his daughter and she thought it was ugly. (Was husband's cousin, it would have been gone)

[Hissing Cobra]

Hey, welcome to the site! You've got to post pictures of it. :D

[TurboCobra]

I just uploaded 2 pix of my 1979 Turbo Cobra. I am embarassed by it's pitiful condition. Several people have tried to buy it (we live near a dirt track) but they wanted to cut it up. It was in sad shape when I got it. I used to crank it all the time but the wiring got all crunchy...removed the harness to fix all of the last owner's "repairs" (wire nuts?). I have my Eastwood catalog out and have recieved some of my decals. The engine will get hot tanked this winter. Will look factory fresh with no visible mods.

[TurboCobra]

How can I put a picture right in my post?

[Hissing Cobra]

Posting pic's is easy. Highlight properites on a pic and copy the url. Then when you want to post it in a thread, put your url here. Got it? If not, keep asking for help. Once you get it down, it's easy.

[gregpro50]

Is this it? I used to have a yellow one just like that.

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=5555

[TurboCobra]

Thanks. Here is my 1979 Turbo Cobra, such as it is.And its Buck Tag.
http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=5555&sid=0c76f22c0ebdc33ed1c8cb76ebd20c9ahttp://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=5559

[TurboCobra]

Had a 1982 GL 6 cylinder that we put a 429 in...not a good idea on a T-Top car without subframe connectors (was donated to a dirt track team after the floorboard ripped). A friend of mine has a 1979 Pace Car, bought it in 1982 off the showroom floor with less than 10 miles on it. Still in her basement last I heard. This Cobra is my first Fox bodied car. I have had dozens since buying this one (for $300.00) But none that seem to be this unique.

[79mustangcobra]

Anybody else have the word Cobra all by itself in the lower right?

I have a 1979 Turbo Cobra and the buck tag has MOON COBRA at the bottom.


http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=5559&sid=7441dfda78990eb3f7a8c7da8c9bb2ef

This "Moon Cobra" on your bucktag is freaking me out :)

I have NEVER seen a Bucktag with the word Cobra on it, just CBR. I wonder if it is where it was built. Your's was not built in Dearborn. The second letter tells where it was built. F = Dearborn.

Sellis1012 what does your second letter on your bucktag say??

[negusm]

His car is also very very early in the build run too.

-Mike

[FoxChassis]

This "Moon Cobra" on your bucktag is freaking me out :)

I have NEVER seen a Bucktag with the word Cobra on it, just CBR. I wonder if it is where it was built. Your's was not built in Dearborn. The second letter tells where it was built. F = Dearborn.
You could be onto something.

R = San Jose, CA

"MOON" is also different than "MR" on the other Cobra body tags here.

[TurboCobra]

My Cobra is a stripped model...no A/C, manual steering, manual brakes, no power anything. Is it possible that the tag spells MOON COBRA for the moon roof and Cobra options because they had room?

Has anyone with a 79 Cobra found their build sheet?

[Hissing Cobra]

I've got my build sheet but it's very difficult to read. In fact I've made out some things with a magnifying glass but without it, I couldn't read those sections. I too, have never seen the "Moon Cobra" on the bucktags but Ford has been known to do wierd things. Mine simply says "CBR."

[TurboCobra]

Hissing- Do you remember where the build sheet was in your car? I am looking for mine.

[evlgt85]

Buildsheets can show up just about anywhere, and may not even be in the car, but most commonly they are found under the carpet. They can also be found above the headliner, under the rear seat, behind/inside the dash area...they've been found in a lot of strange places.

The one in my 85 had been completely destroyed as apparently the carpet in my car had gotten wet at some point.

[Hissing Cobra]

Yes, mine was under the carpet behind the driver's seat (the area where a person's feet would be if they were sitting in the back seat behind the driver.) As with other build sheets, I'm sure that they could be found anywhere.

[79mustangcobra]

My Cobra is a stripped model...no A/C, manual steering, manual brakes, no power anything. Is it possible that the tag spells MOON COBRA for the moon roof and Cobra options because they had room?

Has anyone with a 79 Cobra found their build sheet?

I found "3" build sheets in my Cobra.

One was under the back seat.

Two were under the Carpet. I took one out and had it framed and left the other one in the car because it looked like it had been sprayed with adhesive to the body.

[TurboCobra]

I removed the carpet and it was not there. I am going to remove the quarter panel trim and the entire dash, the headliner has been out for years. I will find it if it is still in the car.

[toaster]

Sorry to bring a dead thread back but I recently ran across this site. I just wanted to add my cobra to the running count. Hope to see 79mustangcobra.com up soon.

1979 Cobra
302 Engine
c4? automatic transmission
Hood decal
trx rims, a/c, cruise
Trying to resurrect

[81mustangcobra]

i have a cobra its a 81 cobra with a 5.0, auto

[Sellis1012]

Mustang Monthly ran an article in October's issue about which 1979-2004 Mustangs to buy. The Turbo Cobras were violently shunned, calling them hated and discarded before their time. They said Turbocharger failure plagued the Cobras. But then, in reference to which 79-81 Mustangs to buy, they reccomended going for a low mileage, original 79 Pace Car, calling the 2.3 turbo Pace Car the rarest. I found that funny since that would be the same engine in the turbo Cobras. Even though there are no official numbers of how many turbo Cobras were built, with a total of only 7000 79 Cobras built, I would think that the Turbo Cobra the rarest. Though obviously not the most desireable.

[gregpro50]

Well the article is somewhat right. The carbed 2.3 turbos were horrible engines. My '79 turbo Indy has 36k original miles because the turbo puked and the car just sat. I had a '79 turbo cobra that had 40k miles on it that also had a bad turbo when I bought it. I found that the converter which is between the exhaust manifold and the turbo intake started to break down causing chunks of converter material to be sucked into the turbo. What a stupid design that was... I think the turbo engine is the reason why there arent many cobras around. They were fun engines to drive when they worked though.

[Sellis1012]

Well the article is somewhat right. The carbed 2.3 turbos were horrible engines. My '79 turbo Indy has 36k original miles because the turbo puked and the car just sat. I had a '79 turbo cobra that had 40k miles on it that also had a bad turbo when I bought it. I found that the converter which is between the exhaust manifold and the turbo intake started to break down causing chunks of converter material to be sucked into the turbo. What a stupid design that was... I think the turbo engine is the reason why there arent many cobras around. They were fun engines to drive when they worked though.

Yup, my Cobra has 35k original miles because it broke and sat. While restoring mine I emptied out my converter. Came out in little pieces then the wire mesh came out. Wire mesh was obviously not very useful. And yes, they are a blast to drive. A completely different experience from my 5.0 or 4.6.

[429bigblock]

another thing that erked me about that article in that magazine is how they shunned the cobras so much yet one of the reasons they gave for buying an 82 GT was that they looked attractive with the pace car front end.

[tripice351]

Well the article is somewhat right. The carbed 2.3 turbos were horrible engines. My '79 turbo Indy has 36k original miles because the turbo puked and the car just sat. I had a '79 turbo cobra that had 40k miles on it that also had a bad turbo when I bought it. I found that the converter which is between the exhaust manifold and the turbo intake started to break down causing chunks of converter material to be sucked into the turbo. What a stupid design that was... I think the turbo engine is the reason why there arent many cobras around. They were fun engines to drive when they worked though.

Hehe, yep. Dee de dee! :) I work in a dealership, and a couple of the heavy line guys were around back then, said they were doing those things constantly. Ford did eventually revise the setup on those cars, and stopped making the pre-turbo cat, and had the tech install a straight pipe, and the cat downstream. So if anyone finds one like that, it was dealer installed..

[Mustang Marty]

Hehe, yep. Dee de dee! :) I work in a dealership, and a couple of the heavy line guys were around back then, said they were doing those things constantly. Ford did eventually revise the setup on those cars, and stopped making the pre-turbo cat, and had the tech install a straight pipe, and the cat downstream. So if anyone finds one like that, it was dealer installed..

Interesting... my 79 Coupe doesn't have the pre turbo cat. Ford must have provided a kit to retrofit the exhaust. It has 92k miles and runs pretty well, other than the carb sucking air at the throttle shafts.

[tman1257]

Interesting... my 79 Coupe doesn't have the pre turbo cat. Ford must have provided a kit to retrofit the exhaust. It has 92k miles and runs pretty well, other than the carb sucking air at the throttle shafts.

same here on my cobra, no pre turbo cat. converter. and a previous owner installed pipe where the converter should be.

[wickedwindsor86]

Back in the day, my friends had a white 79 or 80 turbo RS Capri, and another had an all black turbo ghia Capri. We beat these cars with no mercy. My fondest memory is the black ghia, doing lawn job donuts, the overboost buzzer screaming, and all the silly dash lights flashing. We would make rubber balls out of the shards of burnt trx tires. Those two puppies never quit, so I don't buy into the reliabilty issues. Those cars got me hooked on the "foxes" and led me to buy my first. An all black 1982 GT. Anyway, I'm rambling. I love them all, from the bastard children (early turbo's) to the most loved (87-92 efi rollers).

[Sellis1012]

another thing that erked me about that article in that magazine is how they shunned the cobras so much yet one of the reasons they gave for buying an 82 GT was that they looked attractive with the pace car front end.

Which is the same front end used on the 80-81 Cobras! I was a bit put out. Not the only reason, but I let my subscription lapse. I got so flipping sick of the Eleanor features and pictures and sidebars and how to's bla bla bla. They also shortened the late model q&a and switched to an author I didn't care for. What finally did it for me is once the 05s were a sure thing the Fox chassis got locked out of the house.

[Sellis1012]

Back in the day, my friends had a white 79 or 80 turbo RS Capri, and another had an all black turbo ghia Capri. We beat these cars with no mercy. My fondest memory is the black ghia, doing lawn job donuts, the overboost buzzer screaming, and all the silly dash lights flashing. We would make rubber balls out of the shards of burnt trx tires. Those two puppies never quit, so I don't buy into the reliabilty issues. Those cars got me hooked on the "foxes" and led me to buy my first. An all black 1982 GT. Anyway, I'm rambling. I love them all, from the bastard children (early turbo's) to the most loved (87-92 efi rollers).

A 79 Cobra with 160,000 miles was my first 'Stang. The passenger side of the engine compartment looked like it had caught on fire, and I don't recall seeing a single vacuum line left yet that turbo still spun and that green light still glared. No overboost buzzer though. I could beat that car mercilessly as well. Although if I didn't run 20/50 weight oil I screened the highway in smoke. The brain box finally puked and I sold it to a roomate for $200. He stuck a new box in it, took it home and told me stories of trying to break it with no luck.

[Sellis1012]

Somebody was saying they wanted a Cobra...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Mustang-1979-MUSTANG-COBRA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6236QQihZ011QQite mZ320064056003QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[82HATCH]

Somebody was saying they wanted a Cobra...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Mustang-1979-MUSTANG-COBRA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6236QQihZ011QQite mZ320064056003QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Looks a little rough but workable. I see he's got a reserve though.

[Sellis1012]

The rust would be my concern. Looks pretty straight outside of that. The restoration would likely run into the thousands of dollars though. I see he gave no engine pics. That's scary. I would ask why the steering wheel and door panel inserts are not original.

[MIKE82]

I have been working on this and was going to wait until I got this off the ground.

I bought the 79 Mustang Cobra registry. I have registered a domain name called 79mustangcobra.com

I just need to build the website. It will be dedicated to 79-81 Mustang Cobra's.

Take care,

David Bass
i've got one. what are we up to 5 or six now?:D

[93-331-29PSI]

There is one in Norfolk Va but I think she is a goner, both quarters are rotted through just under the quarter windows, typical sunroof frame rot, and about 2 inches of water on the interior floor. I will get pictures next time I am there.

[gregpro50]

I know where these two are.

http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/albums/album70/P3010011.jpg

[Sellis1012]

I know where these two are.

http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/albums/album70/P3010011.jpg

Now you're just teasing us. The white one looks very restorable. The door looks rough down at the bottom. Can't really make out the black one.

[gregpro50]

Actually the other one is blue with a blue interior and recaros. The white one is a 255 V8/auto and the blue one is a factory 4cyl NON-turbo. The blue one is pretty solid but the white one is rusty underneath. They belong to a friend of mine.

http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/albums/album70/P3010012.jpg

http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/albums/album70/P3010015.jpg

[1979Cobra]

I Have a White 79 cobra. i had to park it after the starter died in Sept. (I cant get the right replacement around here. they don't seem to want to bolt up right.) just curious does anyone know how many white with red interior were made. I have seen a few. Mine has a sunroof in it, and the 302. I haven't seen any posted on here like that yet but then again I may not be looking right either.
Thanks

[tman1257]

I Have a White 79 cobra. i had to park it after the starter died in Sept. (I cant get the right replacement around here. they don't seem to want to bolt up right.) just curious does anyone know how many white with red interior were made. I have seen a few. Mine has a sunroof in it, and the 302. I haven't seen any posted on here like that yet but then again I may not be looking right either.
Thanks

Glad to see you back, I'm the guy that stopped to tell you about this site in Hyvee that day with the blue Cobra. Have you tried Checker here? About the only way to see how many were made would be to order a Marti report. There are a few threads going about them here.

[Sellis1012]

I Have a White 79 cobra. i had to park it after the starter died in Sept. (I cant get the right replacement around here. they don't seem to want to bolt up right.) just curious does anyone know how many white with red interior were made. I have seen a few. Mine has a sunroof in it, and the 302. I haven't seen any posted on here like that yet but then again I may not be looking right either.
Thanks

With yours I have a count of 3 including a lady I talked to around here a while ago. Haven't heard from her in quite a while though.

[fred414141]

I have a scrapped 79 Cobra 2.3T.

BTW, the carb is the same as any 79 Mustang with a 2.3, turbo or not. The local NAPA pisses me off with what they do and don't carry, I had to order a carb kit for my 84 GT, but I walked in and bought shocks right off the shelf for my 1950 F-1 Ford truck. Explain that one.

i think the parts companies research how many vehicles are on the road that a given part fits,the better the numbers,the more likely that part is stocked in the store. my guess is the shocks that fit your '50 model truck also fit many years and makes of vehicles,thus giving a large pool of potential sales.shelf space only makes money if the part sitting on it gets sold and replaced over and over.

[7t9cobra]

my cobra also says "COBRA" on the buck tag.

[The Lubracano]

ok - here is my 80 cobra - I know that the front end is wrong, but I'm working on it http://vb.foureyedpride.com/photoPost/data/500/medium/DSC00577.JPG

Looking good! Do you have the front end to put on it?

[Sellis1012]

ok - here is my 80 cobra - I know that the front end is wrong, but I'm working on it http://vb.foureyedpride.com/photoPost/data/500/medium/DSC00577.JPG

Nice!

Steve

[The Lubracano]

thanks - I still have such a long way to go!

[Bobs85GT]

Here is a quick pic of my Cobra.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p177/Bobs85GT/cobra1.jpg
Bob

[1979Cobra]

I checked with checkers they listed 3 different starters and i have tried all 3 and none fit. I miss driving my car

[tman1257]

I checked with checkers they listed 3 different starters and i have tried all 3 and none fit. I miss driving my car

I was wondering why I haven't seen it around lately. You might have to go to Robinsons and take your old starter in with you so they can check the numbers on it an cross reference it.

[1979Cobra]

Who did you have do the paint job on yours?

[sunsport186]

Have you tried taking it to a starter rebuild shop ?

[tman1257]

Who did you have do the paint job on yours?

If you are talking about mine, nobody. Mine still has the factory paint on it yet. I was lucky on that part of it.

[1979Cobra]

Yeah i need to get mine painted. Oh and they shipped off the original starter before i could get it back.

[tman1257]

You still might have to go to Robby's then. At least there they should be able to look up an original part number for you to go from. Either that or go out to Mustangs and More out by the lake. I'm good friends with the owner Jeremy. He might have something.