In total, there were three graphic setups for the Mustang II Cobra. The first one can simply be called the “Farrah”…the word “Cobra” runs long the low flank in one stripe, almost like a Shelby callout, with a snake on the back of the front fenders. Then there is the over-the-top 1978 King Cobra, composed of a psychedelic hood snake a’la Pontiac Trans-Am and enough pinstriping stickers to drive any bodyshop worker mental. And the most obnoxious version is the 1977 1/2 setup, which is what this tubbed Mustang II has: the three-bar design with “COBRA” taking up the door space. Remember that thing about Iacocca’s “little jewel” Mustang II, the one that was supposed to take the nameplate back to 1964? Yeah…knowing that Iacocca was fired from Ford in July 1978, it almost makes perfect sense that suddenly there was a change in the look of the Cobra, from the tie-in to the past to something that screamed “disco poser” in a matter of maybe weeks.

Now, I might be the only one of the three here at BangShift that digs Mustang IIs. The size is good and there is potential if you can ignore the bitterness of the past and the yelpings about Pintos. This car is a good start: 302, four-speed, and a good bit of rubber out back in a T-top hatchback body. I’m all but proof-positive I’ve seen this car in person before (maybe last year’s Intergalactic Ford Fest?) and it’s as clean as the pictures show. You could show it, but driving it would be a riot, especially once Mustang fanboys start their cringing. Look at the bright side: it’s not the Mach-E. At least this one made attempts to be sporty back in the day and can get there with some work today!

Craigslist Link: 1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II