November 2007 Featured Ride:

COBRA ESQ

Built on January 28, 2003 the car is number 2072 of 5082 Convertible SVT Mustang Cobras. It is 1 of 68 that is Black on Black with Parchment seat inserts. The car was sold by Newins Ford, Bay Shore, New York. The owner, who lived in Seaford, passed away two years later. The car, with 5,500 miles then went to a buyer from neighboring Massapequa. In July 2007 I saw the car was posted for sale here on SVTSnake.com by the owner’s son. http://www.svtsnake.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17877. Less than a week later, with 6,200 miles on the odometer, it was mine.

I was looking for and found an unmodified Cobra that I will keep essentially stock. The second owner added Magnaflow CAT backs, Steeda shifter with the comfort handle, CAI, and front strut brace. All take-off parts came with the car. I have replaced the pony grill emblem with a fender snake from a GT 500 (it is slightly larger than the more usual 03/04 fender snake). Full length welded sub-frame connectors have also been installed. Ford accessories include Cobra floor mats, bra embossed with a Cobra and a Parade Boot for when the top is down.

SVT vehicles and Terminators in particular are a rare breed. As attested to by the signed engine plate, a Terminator owner has a hand built, forged internals, bullet proof, double over head cam, 32 valve, supercharged motor which was factory underrated at 390 horsepower and 390 (of nearly perfectly flat) foot pounds of torque. With only a CAI and CAT backs this car has dyno’d higher at the rear wheels in both horsepower and torque. Factory claims of 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds and ¼ mile times in the 12’s are easily met. The story of how this car came to be, Iron Fist, Lead Foot, is a must read for any Cobra owner. A significant increase in performance for very little money is the hallmark of Terminators and the ability for extreme horsepower with stock internals is legendary and proven by many on this site.

The power my car coupled with the six speed and independent rear suspension has produced an ear to ear smile for each of the 7,000 top down miles I driven. In keeping with the stock theme the future may include bolt-ons such as lower springs, IRS brace and a porting by Stiegemeier is not out of the question.

I registered on SVTSnake.com when I bought the car. Since then I have attended a few meets and cruises, met some great people, learned a tremendous amount and have been able to share a little of my own knowledge. I look forward to years more of the same.