1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R

The 1993 SVT Cobra re-established the Mustang as a performance vehicle and showed what the Special Vehicle Team could produce. The 1993 Cobra “R” took things to a new level with larger brakes, competition cooling system, suspension tuning and more.

For those hard core weekend track warriors, SVT offered a very special run of Cobra R models specifically designed for track use. Ford sold every R-model for the full $25,692 sticker price vs. $21,578 for a regular Cobra. Ford wanted to make sure that these limited edition models of the Cobra were not put away in some collector’s garage so every buyer had to have an active and valid racing license in order to be able to buy one of these cars. The Cobra R saw only 107 copies built.

Each of the 107 produced were offered in Vibrant Red only. Key changes included larger brakes (13″ directionally vented front and 10.5 radially vented rear compared to 10.84 vented front and 10.7 vented rear), Koni shocks and struts, an engine oil cooler and a power steering cooler. The wheels were 17″ 5-lug wheels, which were available for the ’94 Mustang as an option, painted gloss black.

Since the Cobra “R” was race oriented, it was also made significantly lighter thanks to a serious diet. The Cobra R had rear seat removed, no radio, air conditioner, fog lamps, auxiliary lighting, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, inner fender liners and all the sound deadening was also removed. In total it was over 60 lbs lighter which makes a big difference on track.

SVT added an engine oil cooler, power steering cooler and a larger aluminum radiator to keep thing cool under the rigors of track use. Finally, the suspension was upgraded with a set of race ready Koni shocks and struts, stiffer springs, larger anti-roll bars, front spindles from the upcoming ’94 Mustang and a strut tower brace. Every single Cobra R produced was finished in Vibrant Red.

Of course, the “R” stood for racing, which meant all the above changes were track use only. It also got no warranty (be careful folks).

1993 Cobra R Specs

Production 1993
Production 107
Assembly Dearborn, Michigan
Body and chassis: Body style 3-door hatchback
Engine 5.0 L Windsor V8
Wheelbase 100.5 in (2,553 mm)
Length 179.6 in (4,562 mm)
Width 68.3 in (1,735 mm)
Height 52.1 in (1,323 mm)
Curb weight 3,089 lb (1,401 kg)

Engine
Type: 90-degree, OHV Windsor V-8
Displacement: 5.0L / 302 CID
Horsepower: 235 hp @ 4600 rpm
Torque: 280 lbs.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
Bore x Stroke: 4.0 in. x 3.0 in.
Compression: 9.0:1

Suspension
Front: Modified heavy-duty MacPherson strut type, 750/850 lb./in. progressive-rate coil springs, front strut-tower brace, 31mm stabilizer bar
Rear: Rigid axle located by four trailing links, 240/260 lb./in. progressive-rate coil springs, stabilizer bar

Brakes
Front: 13 in. vented disc, twin-piston caliper
Rear: 10.5 in. vented disc, single-piston caliper
ABS: N/A

Wheels/Tires
Wheels: 17 x 8 6-spoke cast aluminum
Tires: Goodyear P245/45ZR-17 BSW

Performance
0-60 mph: 5.7 seconds
60-0 mph braking: 140 feet (Est.)
1/4-mile @ MPH: 14.3 seconds @ 99 mph (Road & Track)