FORD MUSTANG COBRA 4.6-Litre V8 Manual Convertible Road Test Report

Ford’s cult car of the sixties, the legendary Mustang, has been reincarnated to head-up Ford’s Australian performance car image, with a different slant to Holden’s two door offering.
The all-new American muscle car has been Australianised by Tickford Engineering in process that not only converts it to right hand drive, but also incorporates some good old Aussie ingenuity and engineering to improve the ergonomics, ride/handling and finesse of the final product.
Although slotted into a sport’s car category, the Mustang is almost in a class of its own with most of this type being smaller in size and engine capacity, or with a much higher price tag. No doubt Ford’s latest offering will draw a cult following and have an attraction for the performance oriented driver.
The Mustang Cobra is available in coupe and convertible form, priced at $85,000 and $89,000 respectively, in a limited colour range of red, black, silver and white. The equipment list is quite extensive, including hand-built V8 power, leather and suede trim, air conditioning, alloy wheels with 17” low profile tyres, anti-lock brakes, CD stacker/radio, dual airbags, power operated roof, power remote door/boot locks and mirrors, electric windows, traction control, engine immobiliser, passive alarm, cruise control and power adjusted driver’s seat. The Mustang’s style creates the desired image of a beefy macho convertible, using angular lines, flared guards and sills, plus front and rear skirts to the best advantage. Large rear lamp assemblies and deep-set front driving lights add the final touch.
The all-alloy, 4.6 litre, quad cam, 32 valve, V8 is a high-tech hand built engine individually signed by the engine builder and bearing the impressive ‘Cobra’ emblem. Its power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a heavy-duty clutch assembly, five speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip rear axle assembly. Front and rear suspensions are independent, using coil springs and tubular stabiliser bars. Multi-link arms are used at the rear, and McPherson struts at the front combine with power-assisted rack and pinion steering.

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