1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

1995 Ford Mustang Cobra Convertible — Black over Saddle Tan, 5.0L V8, 5-Speed Manual

Why This Car Is Special

The 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra Convertible sits at an interesting crossroads in Mustang history. It was the final year of the 5.0-liter pushrod V8 in the Cobra, a engine that had been at the heart of the Mustang's performance identity since the early 1980s. Starting with the 1996 model year, Ford replaced it with the 4.6-liter modular V8 — a more modern engine, but one that took years to earn the same enthusiast following that the 5.0 had built. That makes the 1995 Cobra Convertible a legitimate endpoint of a significant chapter in Mustang history.

Ford's Special Vehicle Team, known as SVT, had taken over Cobra development starting with the 1993 model year. By 1995, SVT had refined the package considerably. The 5.0-liter Cobra V8 was not the same engine found in the GT. SVT fitted it with revised cylinder heads, a specific intake manifold, and individual throttle body configuration that raised output to a factory-rated 240 horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque. That rating was widely considered conservative at the time, and the engine has a well-documented history of outperforming its published numbers on a dyno.

SVT built just 4,005 Cobra Convertibles for the 1995 model year across all colors and configurations. That number covers the entire convertible run — not a specific color combination — which means this black-over-saddle-tan example represents a small slice of a limited production run. The VIN on this car confirms it was assembled at Ford's Dearborn, Michigan plant, the home of Mustang production during this era.

Features List

- 5.0L Cobra V8 (SVT-tuned, 240 hp factory rating)
- 5-Speed Manual Transmission
- Cobra-Badged Engine Cover
- Convertible Soft Top
- Saddle Tan Leather Interior
- Cobra Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Power Windows and Power Locks
- Dual Exhaust with Rear-Exit Tips
- Cobra 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Tachometer
- Driver and Passenger Air Bags
- Center Console
- Fog Lights

Mechanical

The 5.0-liter Cobra V8 under the hood carries its SVT-spec Cobra badging on the intake cover, which is visible the moment you open the hood. This engine received GT40 iron cylinder heads from the factory, along with a revised upper and lower intake manifold setup designed to improve airflow compared to the GT's 5.0. The result was a noticeable step up in power delivery, particularly in the mid-range where street driving happens most.

The 5-speed manual transmission is the correct pairing for this car. SVT intended the Cobra to be a driver's car, not a cruiser, and the manual gearbox reflects that. The dual exhaust exits cleanly at the rear, and the photos confirm both tips are in good visual condition with no signs of rust or damage to the underbody — the lift shot shows a solid, clean undercarriage that is worth noting on a 30-year-old convertible, since these cars were often driven hard and not always maintained to the same standard as this one appears to have been.

Interior

The saddle tan leather interior is a combination that works particularly well on a black convertible. The two-tone door panels — tan on the lower section, dark on the upper — were specific to the SN95 interior design language introduced with the 1994 redesign, and they hold up well in this car. The leather seating surfaces show the texture and color consistent with a well-cared-for example. The Cobra leather-wrapped steering wheel is the correct unit for this model and shows no unusual wear.

The center console, power window switches, and door-mounted controls are all present and accounted for. The tachometer sits prominently in the instrument cluster, as it should in any car wearing SVT's Cobra badge. Both driver and passenger air bags were standard equipment on the 1995 Cobra — an important detail for buyers who plan to drive this car regularly rather than show it.

Exterior

Black over saddle tan is one of the cleaner