2003 Ford Mustang

2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible  The first generation of New-Edge Mustang Cobras got Ford into some hot water, claiming to make a certain amount of power, and then producing less during magazine testing, they knew that for the update, they needed to knock it out of the park. When the 2003 SVT Cobra debuted in the spring of 2002 for the 2003 model year, it accomplished that goal handily. Nicknamed the âTerminatorâ this Mustang did away with the naturally aspirated 32 valve V8 from the prior Cobra, and in its place, a stout 4.6-liter unit with a supercharger that immediately put it at the top of the muscle car heap in the early 2000s. This 2003 Cobra Convertible is an extremely clean example, showing just 14,800 miles and under the care of just one owner from new.  Finished in Zinc Yellow, this SVT Cobra is in exceptional condition throughout. The bright yellow paint is paired with a black fabric soft top, and chrome 5-spoke wheels. The SVT Cobra of this generation was identifiable by a revised front bumper with large openings for fog lights, dual hood vents and âCOBRAâ emblazoned across the rear bumper- which on this car has been highlighted by chrome accents. Although the Terminator doesnât shout about being the highest performing Mustang of the era, the subtle body modifications tip off real enthusiasts who appreciate the car for the true performance machine that it is.  The interior of this SVT Cobra is finished in 2-tone black leather with gray suede inserts. The seats feature extra bolstering over the more run of the mill Mustangs of the era and are power adjustable. The gauge pod in front of the driver has a few SVT markings, along with a 180 mph speedometer and, a boost gauge that gives away the Terminatorâs main party trick. What makes this car so great in convertible form is that the two small rear seats are much more versatile when you put the top down, and the car can hold 4 adults for a reasonable drive.  Sitting under the hood is what really makes this car special. The previous generation Cobra featured an aluminum block and aluminum heads, but the engine proved to be somewhat troublesome for Ford, so the went back to what they know, and built a legendarily stout iron block V8. The rods were forged and the oil and cooling systems were both upgraded to handle the Eaton M-112 roots supercharger that sits on top of the engine and helps produce the carâs 390 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Although this example is totally stock, these engines are notoriously tough and can withstand some significant modifications, with many cars touching 700 horsepower fairly reliably. Power is then sent through a Tremec T56 6-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels, which is fitted with a limited slip differential. Performance for the SVT Cobra has been measured at 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, a sub-13 second quarter mile and, although electronically limited to 153 mph, when derestricted can hit nearly 180 mph. Arguably, the best