1996 Ford Mustang

Cobra Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

1FALP46V1TF179367

Gasoline

1996 Mustang Cobra Convertible This is my personal vehicle. As background, I have had 5 Mustangs since I've been 20 years old. I'm now 45 and continue to love them. We're wanting to buy a new house... thus this sale. I originally bought this car in 2000 from a stock broker who just received his new Porsche and needed the garage space. He was the original owner and it only had about 15,000 miles on it then. It was completely stock with the exception of the caster/camber plates (more on that later). From then till now...over 10 years...I've put just over 10,000 miles on it and quite a bit of cash in it. This car has never been in an accident and never seen a body-shop. The engine is the original 4.6L 32V and the rest of the driveline is complete numbers-matching. The CarFax will show that there are 3 owners. There are really only two. I lost my job in 2001 and my Dad bought the car from me but it was only a paper transaction. My parents are Jerry and Barb (see the license plate) who hold clear title but I've always had this car. Over the years, there have been several changes: 1. Caster/Camber plates - from new, these cars were known for pulling a little to the side. The original owner had these installed by the Ford dealer where he purchased the car. The car is straight-as-an-arrow. 2. Steeda Tri-ax Pulleys - less restriction on the engine, top quality 3. Steeda Tri-ax shifter, top quality 4. K&N Air Filter - breathes easier - fits inside factory equipment 5. Kenny Brown Welded (frame rails) and Bolted (floor pans) Sub-Frame Connectors - really solidifies the car, top quality 6. Bassani X-pipe with cats - if you've never heard a Bassani, it's sounds great, all stainless, top quality 7. MagnaFlow cat-back - all stainless, top quality 8. MagnaPack Mufflers - all stainless, top quality 9. MagnaFlow stainless-steel exhaust tips, top quality 10. Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs - lowers an inch or so - it is not "slammed" - handles great, top quality 11. New Ford Motor Sports (FMS) transmission pickel-fork - the original fork was weak and they will eventually break on all Mustang's of this era (mine finally broke in 2008) - replaced with FMS stronger fork used in later model Mustangs. 12. New high-performance FMS clutch (done same time as pickel-fork) 13. New FMS 4.10 gears (done same time as pickel-fork) 14. 2000 Cobra "R" wheels - aftermarket - 18 inch 15. Real Cobra "R" center caps 16. Pirelli P7000 SuperSport P275/35ZR18 tires (70 % remaining) Stuff that's cool but doesn't make it go faster, handle better, etc... 1. Clear corner markers 2. Cobra nose emblem 3. Cervini's air grabbers 4. Scott Winger stainless-steel COBRA inserts in rear bumper cover - not decals 5. Chrome taillight covers 6. WheelSkins Leather steering-wheel cover 7. Saleen pedal covers 8. 1 inch H&R wheel spacers in rear. These are not extended studs, these bolt to the existing studs and have studs of their own. Top quality. These eliminate that rear wheel "sucked-in" look and really squares the car. The tires are right to the edge of the car and align perfectly with the fronts. What is not so perfect: * The chrome on the center portions of the wheels have some bubbling (see pic). The spokes and outers are virtually perfect. * This car has been driven so there are a couple scratches here and there...but there are absolutely NO dents on the entire car. * Interior passenger door panel has a couple dimples where the door was closed on the seat belt. * I mentioned the spacers on the rear wheels so the tires are pushed out to the edge of the car. If going over un-even surfaces (for example, backing onto a raised driveway at an angle), the edges of the inner-fenders can rub the tire edge (see pic). You really can't notice it and it doesn't seem to affect the tires at all as the spacers, wheels and tires were put on the car at the same time in 2001. Overall: I built this car to be fun to drive. It's not a drag-racer, it's not a show-queen. It has very low miles and is in excellent condition! I personally change the oil myself every time with nothing but Mobil 1 (including Mobil 1 oil filter). I want to reitterate that I basically built this car to my own preference. I wanted somthing that looks great, handles great, sounds great and is a blast to drive. It had plenty of umpfff from Ford and some of what I've added helps with that a little bit more. If you've ever driven one of these with the 4.10 gear, you know that it feels like a different car before/after. You'd think you added 100 pounds of torque to the engine, you really will. And no, you don't have to shift out of first gear at 5 mph. It's very very drivable. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this car. It has not been "torn-up" by any stretch of the imagination. This car has never seen a drag strip, a road track or any other track except the oval track in Granite City, IL for the World Ford Challenge Car Show in Granite City, IL in 2001. Everyone wanted to open-em-up around the oval, but my wife said she wouldn't bail me outta jail! I was in a Mustang club (windshield decal) back in the early 2000's and did many shows and cruises and won a few trophy's too. The doors all close tight, all power windows work, the motorized top goes up/down as it should, no cracks or chips in the windshield, I don't know what else to say. By the way, the windshield decal is as perfect as it was the day I installed it (this car never sat in the sun long). I have both sets of keys (with remotes), the "SVT" documentation, the original window sticker, probably every magazine article that's been written about this car and two extra perfect front floor mats (see pic in trunk) that I swapped out when I showed the car. It all comes with the car. If you buy this car, you will not be disappointed. I absolutely hate to sell this car but we really need a new house. This is a no-reserve auction and is priced well below KBB, Edmunds, etc. at $10,150. The first person to "buy-it-now" will be getting a great car and an incredible value. If you have any questions, call me directly at 618-978-1558 - my name is Randy. If you have less than 10 feedback, please contact me first or I will cancel your bid. I don't want to do this more than once. As everyone always says, I also have this car listed locally so it may sell before the end of the auction.