1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible �€" 4.6L DOHC V8, 5-Speed
Manual, Red over Black Why This Car Is Special The 1999 Ford
Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible sits at the top of the SN95 Mustang
lineup, and for good reason. Ford's Special Vehicle Team built the
Cobra as a distinct product from the standard GT, not just a trim
level upgrade. The 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 in the Cobra shared
its basic displacement with the GT's engine but was an entirely
different motor �€" hand-assembled at Ford's Romeo, Michigan engine
plant, with four-valve heads and a specific intake and exhaust
architecture that produced 320 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque
from the factory. That engine carried the same Cobra-emblazoned cam
covers that enthusiasts have come to recognize at a glance. The
convertible body style adds a layer of scarcity to an already
low-volume car. SVT kept Cobra production numbers well below the
mainstream Mustang GT, and the open-top variant was rarer still.
This particular car �€" red exterior over a black leather interior
with a black convertible top �€" is one of the more visually direct
combinations Ford offered on the Cobra, and it photographs exactly
the way it looks in person. A note worth knowing about the 1999
Cobra: Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin early in the model
year after discovering that some 1999 Cobra engines were not making
their rated 320 horsepower due to intake manifold runner issues.
Ford addressed this through a recall and engine replacement
program. This is a well-documented chapter in Cobra history, and
any serious buyer should confirm which side of that correction
their car falls on. It is worth asking about directly. This example
has been modestly modified with enthusiast-grade bolt-ons �€" a
Spectre cold air intake and a dual exhaust setup �€" that
complement the engine without replacing any of the core drivetrain
components. The Tremec T45 5-speed manual transmission remains in
place, which is exactly where it should be on a car like this.
Features - SVT 4.6L DOHC 32-Valve V8 - Tremec T45 5-Speed Manual
Transmission - Spectre Cold Air Intake - Dual Exhaust - Chrome
5-Spoke Wheels - Black Power Convertible Top - Black Leather Bucket
Seats - Power Steering - Power Brakes - Power Windows - Tachometer
- Cobra Steering Wheel - Center Console - Fog Lights Mechanical The
heart of the 1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible is its
hand-assembled 4.6-liter DOHC V8. Unlike the two-valve engine found
in the GT, the Cobra's four-valve motor was built by hand at the
Romeo plant, with each engine signed by its assembler. The block
and heads are all-aluminum, which kept weight reasonable and
allowed the engine to rev more freely than the iron-block pushrod
engines of earlier Mustang performance variants. Ford rated this
engine at 320 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, making the 1999
Cobra the most powerful naturally aspirated production Mustang
available at the time �€" before the Terminator supercharged Cobra
arrived for 2003. The Tremec T45 5-speed manual transmission backs
the engine. It was the standard gearbox for SVT Cobra models during
this era and is well-regarded for its mechanical directness. The
gear throws are deliberate, and the overall feel suits the
character of the DOHC engine. The Spectre cold air intake visible
in the engine bay is a recognized aftermarket upgrade that draws
cooler, denser air from outside the engine compartment rather than
recycling warm underhood air. It is a clean installation that does
not compromise the engine's core architecture. The dual exhaust
system exits cleanly out the rear with a sound that is noticeably
more present than the standard setup, without being intrusive at
highway speeds. The undercarriage photo shows the exhaust routing
clearly, and it presents as a well-executed system. The SVT Cobra
also came with a unique suspension tune compared to the GT. It used
larger front and rear stabilizer bars, revised spring and shock
rates, a
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