Cobra Chameleon: 30k-Mile 1996 Ford Mustang Mystic Cobra SVT Coupe 5-Speed
- March 15, 2021
- #141 of 2000 Cobras Built in 1996 Painted Mystic
- 30k Original Miles
- Certificate of Authenticity and Letter from Ford SVT
- 305hp 32-Valve 4.6L DOHC V8
- 5-Speed Manual Transmission
- Mystic over Black Leather
The SN95 Mustangs, those built from 1994 to 2004, brought a new level of fit and finish to the brand. Ford reintroduced the Cobra in 1993, sustaining it through the SN95, but in ‘96 they introduced a unique color with the help of BASF called ‘Mystic’. It was only available on the Cobra and only 2,000 units were built. A very technical paint that literally changes colors at different angles in different lights, the paint started life at BASF as a special ink for the United States Mint, which was considering a new design for paper money that would include holograms to reduce counterfeiting. The paint was very expensive and time consuming to shoot, so Ford actually stopped the assembly line to paint the special Cobras, each one beginning life with a black body. Oddly, even though the cars were painted in sequential order, the VINs are not – but it’s interesting to think that in order to paint these special Cobras, they actually had to suspend production of the cars because it was less costly to shoot them all at once.
Difficult to find, many have been locked away and have just a few miles on them, while others are more like this one, sporting a few miles, but still low given the age, which we like. It can be used and enjoyed without too much guilt and still presents very nicely. A Cobra, the car will move respectfully down the line, the 32v, DOHC 4.6L V8 drumming up a healthy 305hp, the 5-speed manual transmission adding to the sporting feel. This Mystic Cobra presents very nicely by the pictures and the post, the body looking straight and unblemished along with the paint, which does its thing nicely – green in one light, purple in another, and kind of a burgundy in between. The inside is well kept, the leather showing some age and use, but nothing out of line, the white-face gauges looking signature Cobra, and the Ford sound system nestled into a dashboard that still looks like it’s awaiting a dealer prep. It’s even got the optional CD player. All things told this may well be one of the great ones to snap up.
The SN95 Mustangs are creeping up in value relatively swiftly. They brought a lot to the game and are well respected by Mustang enthusiasts, performance junkies, collectors, and just people in general – drive one and it’s clear why. Obviously in the world of collector cars, rarity, condition, performance, and provenance all play into the value – this one is rare, thanks to the paint, it’s got the performance down, it appears to be in very nice condition, and while it might not have much going in the provenance department, three out of four ain’t bad. We’re certain the SN95s are going to begin climbing with more aggression soon, especially the rarer Cobras and the even-rarer Mystics, and we’ve seen a handful of similar mileage examples sell recently at auction in the $20k+ range. All up, this one seems to be priced fair market.
