1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

Don’t Mess With a Proven Formula

Except for the front upper grille opening, the 1997 Cobra was more or less unchanged.  The new opening brought more air to the new cross-the-board cooling system which could be found on the ’97 Cobra. Only the Cobra model Mustang had the new parallel-flow air conditioning condenser. They also improved the air conditioning condenser.

The Cobra was still available in four colors, but true to their word, Ford only kept the Mystic paint option for the 1996 year so those wanting that crazy look were out of luck. For 1997 you could select Rio Red, Pacific Green, Black, or Crystal White. Black and Saddle interior trim colors were available in either cloth or leather.

For 1997, Ford kept the new aluminum 4.6 liter, DOHC, “modular” unit that was smoother and had slightly better fuel economy than the older 5 liter unit from prior to 1996. The GT got a SOHC version of the new 4.6 liter V8 while the Cobra got a DOHC setup. The Cobra’s block was an aluminum, cross-bolted block. The heads had split ports and huge valves. The DOHC meant 4 valves per cylinder for better aspiration. Equipped with a dual 57mm throttle body and an 80mm MAF the engine is definitely speed ready. Built into the engine was a oil cooler.

This engine produced 305 hp @ 5,800 rpm and 300 lb/ft of torque @4,800 rpm, making the new Cobra capable of 0-60 in 5.50 and a 14.0 second quarter miles. While the headline numbers sound similar to the old engine this was an entirely new unit that also changed the character of the Cobra. This was more of a high-revving engine. To compensate for the relative lack of low end response associated with these kind of cylinder heads, SVT also put an intake manifold with dual runners on the Cobra, with the secondaries not opening until around 3000 rpm, making these early modular Cobras very responsive at low speeds.

Specifications & Performance

Built at: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Engine: 90-degree, DOHC 32-Valve V8
Displacement: 4.6L / 281 CID
Bore: 3.55 in
Stroke: 3.54 in
Power: 305 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 300 lbs.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
Compression: 9.85:1
Front tires: P255/45ZR-17
Rear tires: P255/45ZR-17
Front brakes: 13 in. vented disc, PBR twin-piston caliper (Bosch, three channel, four-sensor system)
Rear brakes: 11.65 in. vented disc, single-piston caliper (Bosch, three channel, four-sensor system)
Front suspension: Modified MacPherson strut type with separate spring on lower arm, 400-505 lbs./in. linear-rate coil springs, 29mm stabilizer bar
Rear suspension: Rigid axle, upper and lower trailing arms, two hydraulic links, 160-265 lbs./in. variable-rate coil springs, 27mm stabilizer bar
Wheels: 17 x 8 in. 5-spoke cast aluminum
Tires: BFGoodrich Comp T/A P245/45ZR-17
1/4-mile @ MPH: 14.00 seconds @ 101.6 mph
Top speed: ~225.3 kph / 140 mph
0 – 60 mph: 5.5 seconds

Retail Prices

Cobra Coupe, P47: $25,335
Cobra Convertible, P46: $28,135

Production Numbers

Total Produced: 10,049
Total Coupe Produced:
6,961
Total Convertible Produced: 3,088

Colors & Numbers

Exterior & Interior Combos Colors

Coupe

Black cloth Interior + Black Exterior: 43
Black cloth Interior + Rio Red Exterior: 39
Black cloth Interior + Crystal White Exterior: 20
Black cloth Interior + Pacific Green Exterior:
Black leather Interior + Black Exterior: 1,641
Black leather Interior + Rio Red Exterior: 1,131
Black leather Interior + Crystal White Exterior: 817
Black leather Interior + Pacific Green Exterior:
Saddle cloth Interior + Black Exterior: 7
Saddle cloth Interior + Rio Red Exterior: 13
Saddle cloth Interior + Crystal White Exterior: 47
Saddle cloth Interior + Pacific Green Exterior: 27
Saddle leather Interior + Black Exterior: 678
Saddle leather Interior + Rio Red Exterior: 811
Saddle leather Interior + Crystal White Exterior: 659
Saddle leather Interior + Pacific Green Exterior: 1,028

Convertible

Black Exterior + Black Top + Black Cloth Interior: 14
Black Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 840
Black Exterior + Saddle Top + Cloth Interior: 2
Black Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 92
Saddle Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 12
Saddle Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 219
White Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 1
Rio Red Exterior + Black Top + Black Cloth Interior: 6
Black Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 416
Black Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 15
Saddle Exterior + Saddle Top + Cloth Interior: 7
Saddle Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 466
White Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 13
White Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 2
Crystal White Exterior + Black Top + Black Cloth Interior: 2
Black Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 190
Black Exterior + Saddle Top + Cloth Interior: 1
Black Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 4
Saddle Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 7
Saddle Exterior + Saddle Top + Cloth Interior: 4
Saddle Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 258
White Exterior + Black Top + Leather Interior: 76
White Exterior + Saddle Top + Cloth Interior: 3
White Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 61
Pacific Green Exterior + Saddle Saddle Cloth Interior: 4
Saddle Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 365
White Exterior + Saddle Top + Leather Interior: 8

VIN Decoder

The VIN is stamped on the plate which is riveted to the driver’s side of the dash, visible through windshield; the certification label is attached to the rear face of the driver’s door. For full details see our 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra VIN Decoder page.

VIN Decoder Cobra 1997