I think the cobra is completely different from the mustang, but my son thinks the cobra is a type of mustang. Please discuss. Since the mustang is over 40 years old, this could be quite a discussion. Any car experts out there?
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Ford Mustang Cobra was a higher performance version with the decals,snake etc.
AC Cobra is different if that is what you are thinking.
Cobras are high performance GT’s which are mass produced by both Ford and Shelby American Inc. Cobras are supercharged, have different decals, paint jobs, exhaust systems, and performance parts.
about $20,000
GT’s are 2 valve, Cobras are 4 valve. Cobras have forged internals. On the 03-04 Cobras, they came from the factory with a roots-type supercharger. The Cobras have different gauges than a GT, different gears, different bumpers, etc etc. 03-04 Cobras came with a 6 speed manual transmission, where the GT still only has a 5 speed. Cobras are not offered in automatic, while the GT and v6 cars are.
The Cobra is still in the Mustang family, just a different, pricier package than the GT. Definitely more bang for your buck out of the box than a GT.
The GT and Cobra are mostly the same car, with various differences over the years. Here is a break down starting in 1993 with the first SVT Cobras.
1993
Mustang GT and Cobra shared almost everything. The Cobra had a body kit on it and possibly different suspension. Both had 5.0L V8s. The 1993 GT had 225hp and the 1993 Cobra had 235hp. The main difference in the engine was the intake manifold.
1994 – 1995
The Mustang GT and Cobra were essentially the same car, except the Mustang Cobra had different suspension, brakes, and a body kit. Both had 5.0L V8s. The GT had 225hp and the Cobra had 240hp.
1995 Cobra R
A special edition Mustang Cobra with a different body kit and a 300hp 5.8L V8.
1996 – 1998
Once again, the actual car was essentially the same. The Cobra had a 305hp DOHC 4.6L V8, while the GT had a 215hp SOHC 4.6L V8.
1999 – 2001
The Cobra got independant rear suspension in 1999, while the GT still had a solid rear axle. The rest of the chassis was the same. The Cobra had a 320hp DOHC 4.6L V8 while the GT had a 260hp SOHC V8.
2000 Cobra R
The Cobra R was a very limited run model. It had many different parts from both a regular Cobra and a GT. It had a 385hp 5.4L DOHC V8.
2003 – 2004
These Cobras had a 390hp Supercharged DOHC 4.6L V8, while the GT still had a 260hp SOHC 4.6L V8. The Cobra still had independant rear suspension, while the GT had a solid rear axle.
The Mustang comes in diffrent levels the basic is the V6 then the GT then you have the Cobra. The GT comes with a V8 and the displacment will vary with the year. They will have emblems and more sporty wheels from the basic V6 normally 17inch wheels. The Cobra is the top model for the mustang and has a beter suspension and more horspower. In 2003 the started supercharging the cobra and it will also have a bigger dispacment than the V8 in the GT.
the transmission, cylinders and the quantity made
The biggest difference is horsepower. Obviously with the horsepower, the suspension is different … the traction and handling, transmission, exhaust, etc…A GT is like a Yugo compared to the Cobra.
How does an extra 200 horsepower sound compared to the 300-hp Mustang GT? Ford’s Shelby GT500 is the successor to previous Cobra models and fills the spot of an over-the-top, more powerful Mustang, just as did the model that the previous Cobra name represented.
The additional power on the GT500 comes compliments of a larger engine, and, of course, a supercharger huffing plenty of boost into the 5.4-liter V-8. The 500 hp gets channeled through only one transmission option, a six-speed manual; the Mustang GT uses a five-speed manual or an automatic transmission.
You’ll be able to spot a GT500 coming down the road from its plentiful GT500 and Cobra snake markings. Compared to the Mustang GT, the GT500 has hood scoops and a big, aggressively styled front bumper, as well as unique rims, spoiler and rear bumper. Other differences include a lower stance with its performance-tuned suspension that includes reworked shocks, springs and sway bars. Stopping power comes from high-performance Brembo brakes.
If one model of the GT500 isn’t enough for you, there’s two more coming soon that offer even scarier power: The 540-hp GT500KR and a 600-plus-hp GT500 Super Snake.
As expected, you pay for that extra power and status to drive a Shelby; the 2008 Shelby GT500 hits the pocketbook at a starting price of $41,930, compared to the Mustang GT’s $25,840 starting price.
cobra is a limited edition vehicle as opposed to the regular mustang, has a bit more horse power and suspension, nothing you cant upgrade regular mustang too….
if you are talking 40 years ago, the GT came with a bigger engine and GT package, the Cobra was really a Shelby Cobra tuner car with upgrades to chassis, engine and interior.
Ford did make their own Cobra SVT for several years with more horsepower and body treatments. but you come down to it, they are all Mustangs : )
The same goes for the new ones…
While everyone is correct, they failed to mention that the GT block is sent to Italy in an old Ferrari plant and reworked for tuning gaskets, etc……….