1998 Ford Mustang
1998 Ford Mustang Overview
1998 Mustangs were nearly identical to 1996 and 1997 models. The dash clock from 1994-1997 models was removed. The Cobra got five spoke wheels and was offered in yellow and blue. The 1998 Mustang was the last year of the SN95 generation before the New Edge facelift in 1999.
| Model: | 1998 Ford Mustang |
| Generation: | 4th Generation Mustang |
| Type: | 2 Door |
| Body Styles: | Coupe, Convertible |
| Engines: | 3.8L EFI V6, 4.6L SOHC EFI V8, 4.6L DOHC EFI V8 |
| Original Price: | $16,150 (Base Coupe), $20,650 (Base Convertible) |
| Units Produced: | 175,522 |
Additional 1998 Mustang Research: 1998 Research Center / Colors Details / Production Numbers / Prices & Options / Sales Brochures / Owner Manuals / Maintenance / Pictures / Videos / VIN Decoder / Special Editions
Background & Details
This was also the last year of the “Round Body Mustang”. As usual, my biggest complaint with Ford is the lack of attention to the Mustang product line. Seeing a new Mustang cruising down the road, its hard to tell it from a 1997. Changes are subtle as Ford is trying to squeeze every penny out of its existing tooling and assembly process.
Choices of either a base coupe or convertible, a deluxe Ford Mustang GT coupe or convertible and of course the powerful 1998 Cobra options were all possible on the 1998 order sheet.
The interior received a few new changes. The clock was removed and integrated into the radio display. This is one change I do not particularly like, because the clock was very easily seen in its previous location. It says a lot that the single aesthetic difference between a 1997 and a 1998 Ford Mustang was the dash-mounted clock pod. The console, the instrument cluster and the leather pattern also were changed.
Base Mustangs now came with air-conditioning, remote keyless entry, power trunk release, as well as power windows and door locks as standard equipment. The GT received an upgraded sound system and a rear spoiler was made standard. The dash mounted pod that housed the clock was eliminated and the clock was now located in the radio display.
In the engine compartment, the 4.6L powerhouse was tweaked and now has 225 hp. The increase in power came from an updated exhaust system and changes to the headers, which coaxed that extra 10 horsepower from the GT.
There were two new sport option groups added. The first GT Sport Group includes 17 ” five spoke wheel, hood an wrap-around fender stripes, an engine oil cooler and a leather gearshift knob on the manual transmission. The V6 Sport Group included 1`6 ” aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, a lower body-side accent stripe and a leather wrapped steering wheel.
While the 1998 Mustang was another carryover year for Ford, it actually sold much better than the 1997 model year. Maybe it was the Mustang’s buying public that were getting used to the discontinuation of the popular 5.0 liter V8 engine and the introduction of the new 4.6 modular V8 engine or the fact that Ford managed to squeeze another 10 horsepower out of the GT, but annual sales actually increased by over 70,000 cars from the previous year.
Special Edition Models & Variants
GT
The 1998 Mustang GT came with 16 inch cast aluminum wheels, lower valance integrated fog lamps, single rear wing spoiler, racing cloth front bucket seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, optional upgraded rear axle, optional Mach 460 sound system, and the 225hp 4.6L SOHC V8 engine.
Learn more about the 1998 Ford Mustang GT
GT Spring Edition
Ford introduced this in 1998 as a new trim level called Spring Feature. It was available only on GTs. The Spring Feature Edition package consisted of various cosmetic upgrade. The GT Spring Edition consisted of special factory installed black hood stripes and 17-inch wheels on a GT. These special edition Mustang GT’s looked aggressive with their special hood stripes and those cool looking wheels. The package was available in both coupe and convertible.
Learn more about the 1998 Ford Mustang GT Spring Edition
SVT Cobra
Changes to the Cobra in 1998 were very slight. The most noticeable change was the wheels. The wheels looked like the ones on the 1995 “R” model except the wheel cutouts are gray. The 1998 Cobra came with a 1995 Cobra R style wheel, but it’s dimensions are 17″x8″ compared to the Cobra R’s 17″x9″.
Learn more about the 1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
Specifications, Options & Detailed Stats
Production Numbers
Mustang sales turned around in 1998, up a strong 62% versus the prior year. A total of 175,522 cars made if off the sales lot. To dive into the model and body splits as well as see charts and percentages, check out our 1998 Ford Mustang Production & Sales Numbers deep dive.
Options and Pricing
The base Mustang increased to over $16,000 in 1998 to $16,150. Still a relative bargain. The base convertible price actually fell by a hundred dollars to $20,650. A base GT was still a bang for your buck king at $20,150 while the Cobra coupe came to $25,710. For more detailed options and pricing, please check out our 1998 pricing and options research.
Exterior & Interior Colors
A total of 10 colors were available for the 1998 Mustang model year. Atlantic Blue, Bright Atlantic Blue, Chrome Yellow, and Dark Satin Green were all new for 1998 Mustangs. Chrome Yellow’s availability was very restricted and only available for Cobras or Spring Edition GTs. A total of eight interior color combinations were available, with 3 of them covered in leather. For detailed colors, color palettes, codes and interior colors please check out our in depth 1998 colors information post.
Engine Specs
The same three engine combinations were available for 1998 as prior years. The base engine was the same 3.8 liter V6 although power was up slightly. The advanced 4.6L V8 was still the main engine for the GT and Cobra. While the engine looks the same, the Cobra’s DOHC (vs GTs SOHC) was the much more potent power plant. The SVT Cobra was an aluminum version of the 4.6L creates 305 hp while the GT’s V8 was good for 225 hp. For more information on engines for 1998, you can find the information here.
Performance
Below is the performance data for the 1998 Mustangs that we could find. Unsurprisingly, performance numbers were unchanged from the prior year. The GT was good for a sub 7-second sprint from zero to 6-mph while the Cobra dipped into the mid-5 second range. Below we have included 0-60 mph times, 0-100 mph times as well as quarter mile times and top speed where available.
VIN Information
This link will take you to a page which contains the VIN tag information for all years of Mustangs. Previously this information appeared on each Mustang’s year page, but consolidating it has significantly reduced page loading times. To decode the build sheet, check out our 1998 VIN & Data Plate Decoder sheet.
Videos & Picture Galleries
We managed to find some great video reviews of the 1998 Mustang so definitely check those out. We also have a picture 1998 Ford Mustang Picture Gallery and photos of real Mustangs in each color that was available.
