The
year of '99 brought new styling changes to the common Mustang. Along
with these changes on the Cobra, there were rough foglights in the lower front
fascia. The Cobra model used a regular hood, while the GT used a hood
sporting a non-functional hood scoop. Also separating the Cobra and the
GT was the horse emblem found on the girl - the Cobra's running stallion was
not surrounded by the chrome band that could be found on the GTs. Not
found on the Cobras are the tristar 35th anniversary emblem, which can be
found on the GTs.
Cloth interior was not available to the '99
Cobra, however, leather was available in both Dark Charcoal and Medium
Parchment.
The 4.6L DOHC V-8 remained in the Cobra, but
this time it's power increased by 15 horsepower as well as 17ft/lbs. torque
more than the 1998 engine. Credit to these power increases were given to
the different intake port geometry as well as the redesigned combustion
chamber. New and stronger main and rod bearings also increased the
stability of the monster engine. However, even though Ford claimed that
the '99 version laid down 15 more horses, several magazines reported that the
Cobra seemed slower than previous models, leading to many dyno tests by new
Cobra owners. Indeed, the power of the engine was found to be lower than
expected. On the 6th of August in '99, Ford haulted the sale of any
Cobras as they recalled and replaced the intake manifold, engine management
computer, as well as the entire exhaust system beginning from the catalytic
converter and back.
The differential case on the Cobra was
aluminum, which was a change from the '98 version. Another major change
to the '99 Cobra was the introduction of the independent rear suspension
system featuring short and long arms mounted on a tubular subframe.
The steering ratio was changed to 15.0:1, and
the turning circle was cut down to 37.9 feet.
Production Numbers: Cobra Coupe: 4,040 Cobra
Convertible: 4,055 Total:8,095
Vehicle Identification Numbers
1FA - Ford Motor Co.
L - Restraint system (L-air bags & active belts)
P - Passenger car
47 - Body code (47 - coupe, 46 - convertible)
V - Engine code
6 - Check digit (varies)
X - Year (X - 1999)
F - Plant (F-Dearborn)
000001 - Consecutive unit number
Example:
1FALP47V6XF000001
Location: 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.
