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As a Mustang historian (a title that still sits weird with me), people ask me, what Mustang would you own if you could get buy any of them. That’s such a loaded question. I love the 1960’s era Mustangs for sentimental reasons. A ’67-‘69 Mustang Convertible would be great to have.
But, for me, a Mustang that doesn’t get enough credit as an instant classic, and one I for sure would dream about is the 2003 Mustang Cobra.
Here is why the 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra may be the greatest Mustang ever. This car was produced by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team or SVT. The SVT unit of Ford existed from 1993 until 2006. The last vehicle produced by SVT was the 2006 Ford GT. SVT is responsible for some of the most powerful, enjoyable vehicles that Ford has ever created. Having a vehicle made by SVT automatically means this car (or truck) is special. And the 2003 Mustang Cobra is no exception.
In fact, John Clor of Ford Performance and Mustang historian once called the 2003 SVT Cobra, “the top production Mustang of all time because supercharging changed Mustang forever.”
The SVT Cobra was introduced during 2002 as a 2003 model year. The SVT Cobra took modern Mustang horsepower to all-new heights by introducing an Eaton supercharged 4.6-liter DOHC V8 engine known as the Terminator.
What a cool and apropos nickname for such a game changing engine. The SVT Cobra also had a 6-speed manual transmission and special front end that had a heat-extraction hood. The round Cobra fog lights remained. A rear fascia had the name Cobra inscribed on the bumper as well as a sleek rear spoiler. On profile it featured special rocker panel moldings and side scoops and the Cobra emblem was emblazoned on the inside in several spots, including the seats. The engine makes 390 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque (at 3500 RPM). It had a quarter mile (tested) track speed of 13.01 seconds.
Certainly there’s faster Mustangs around that would do better in the quarters, but the SVT Cobra is still special and powerful, thanks to that supercharger. The 0-60 mph time is impressive at 4.8 seconds (again thanks to that supercharger).
The car sat on 17-inch tires and 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels. One of the most impressive features were the 13-inch vented Brembo performance brakes with twin-post calipers. The ride and handling were widely appreciated by enthusiasts as the SVT Cobra offered a distinctive performance in that regard thanks to a modified MacPherson strut system and gas-powered Bilstein dampeners.
The 2003 SVT Cobra was one of the last production Mustangs built on the SN-95 platform. This platform helped revive the muscle car era for Ford and in Mustang heritage it’s a respected platform for the Mustang.
Ford produced a total of 13,476 SVT Cobra Mustangs in the 2003 model year of which 8,394 were convertibles. The Satin Silver color was the rarest with only 242 made (for coupe) and only 81 made for convertible.
When new it had a starting MSRP in the mid $30s and mint condition ones can still go in the mid $20s (or higher).
If anyone is buying me a present, I'm a size convertible (black, red or white). Let me know in the comments section below if you agree that the 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra is the greatest Ford Mustang ever. Check out my latest story on Ford kicking off safe driving tour for new drivers.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. In addition to being a nationally syndicated automotive columnist, Jimmy has been published in a compilation book about children growing up with disabilities, where he shared his own very personal experience. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Find most of Jimmy's stories at Torque News Ford and Torque News Ford Mustang. Search Torque News Ford daily Mustang, F-150 and other Ford news stories from our expert automotive reporters.
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Comments
Listen, im a ford man thru
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Listen, im a ford man thru and thru. Never been a car that measures up to the ole tang-a-lang, but, ........the 03 wasn't even close to being the best year made. True it was a gem and a ground breaking endeavour that started or paved the way for other car company advances..... But it was the start that brought us the COYOTE. Wow, all motor, no blower, no turbo and no supercharger. All natural power. WOW, that's all I can say, WOW. modern power is great, even though im a fox body lover.
My 03 Terminator convertible
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My 03 Terminator convertible with 10,000 Original miles. 585 RWHP AND 585 FT LBS OF Torque. Has McLeod Dual Disk Racing Clutch And a 9” With 410 Gears and a Detroit Locker
Tho the 03 Cobra is nice the
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In reply to My 03 Terminator convertible by Steve (not verified)
Tho the 03 Cobra is nice the 03-04 Mach1 is where it’s at
03 Cobra is a classic and
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03 Cobra is a classic and really did many things good and bad:
A. It's the DNA of today's shelbys, set the bar for what the new muscle car should be (iron block 4.6!)
B. Kick started the dyno queen generation
C. Made muscle cars time attack cars
D. Was ford's tribute to all the modders from 94-02, effectively killing off the low-buck aftermarket.
E. Killed off the tuner market (Saleen? Roush?)
F. Send off to the sn95 platform which had all the learnings from 1978, fit, finish, performance.
G. Set the tone of drivability plus power in the tuning world and still be legal.
Now could you say that for todays gt500?
You can always put nittos
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You can always put nittos 555R
Come on, Jim.
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Come on, Jim.
No love for the 2004 Terminator?
The last of that line?
Love my 03. Just say
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Love my 03. Just say "rawness" to someone who owns an 03/04 Cobra and it will put a smile on our faces. So much untapped potential in stock form too. Great cars to take what Ford did with the Gen 2 Lightnings and add a built motor and a 6-speed. Half shafts are trash under load, but that is easily taken care of, as it's easy to unbolt the junk IRS in them and save 125 pounds by adding an SRA.
People forget that the 03 was
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People forget that the 03 was Built from the ground up .... The Motor is a One Off that you will never see again . HP Under rated try upwards to 450 stock on Dyno ..... If you have one All stock and Satin Silver , keep it that way .... THE TERMINATOR !
Bought mine new from a dealer
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Bought mine new from a dealer, and enjoy it more now than the day a drove it out of the deal with 5 miles on it !! I think anyone who criticizes this car is ,maybe, deep down, "a little bit jealous". Period !!!
I currently have a 87 GT
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I currently have a 87 GT convertible. I must say i also want a 2003 cobra terminator. It’s the only two platforms I like. Just love the stance the terminator presents.
I had a 95 Cobra with a 6
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I had a 95 Cobra with a 6 speed. Great car! I now have a 2019 Mustang Bullitt. It is truly the best Mustang ever! All the modern conveniences, but breaks the tires loose with a punch of the pedal, even shifting into 3rd gear. It is a blast to drive. It could use an exhaust system, headers and an inter cooled supercharger! We’ll keep on dreaming!
I kind of have an idea but I
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I kind of have an idea but I always wanted to know what the 2003-2004 cobra horsepower number would be without the blower. Would it be the same as the mach number at about 305-310hp?
I kind of have an idea but I
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I kind of have an idea but I always wanted to know what the 2003-2004 cobra horsepower number would be without the blower. Would it be the same as the mach number at about 305-310hp?
It a long story so I'll make
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It a long story so I'll make it "shortish". I had a 98 convertible cobra with a vortech v1 on it and the motor was in the shop at the time I had a garage fire and it took out the cobra and a nitrous lx fox that I had just purchased with all kinds of goodies on it. Built 306, trickflow r, electric water pump etc etc etc. After the fire I bought a 03 cobra shell with 53,xxx miles, 18in fr500s, lowering springs, subframes, full 3 inch bassani cat, sub frames, 430 gears, may change depending on how it acts with the 6spd and turbo, with Detroit locker, all primered ready to be painted and the interior was a 9-10 with no rips. I spent $7k forging the teksid block from the 98 cobra, dished cp pistons, low compression for boost, forged Manley rods and the forged 98 crank from the 98, stage 3 port and polish, all new guides and chains, Teflon oil pump, arp everything, mains, heads studs, the works, so I'm going to throw that in the 03 body and turbo it. I'll never build another 4v again. If this motor blows, or when, I may just join the LS band wagon.