Ford Falcon Cobra
Encyclopedia
The Cobra was a limited edition of the Ford Falcon
released by Ford Australia
in 1978. It was based on the XC Hardtop (Coupe
).
, meaning the two-door XC Hardtops of 1978 would be the last of that design.
When final production of the XC Hardtop at the Broadmeadows Assembly
plant ended in March 1978, 400 body shells were left unsold and Ford Australia faced a dilemma of how to market them, rather than scrapping them or attempting to sell them to customers who would otherwise wait for the XD. When an original proposal to turn these cars into Playboy
-themed cars (complete with "bunny" decals) was rejected as sending the wrong image for a family car company, Ford turned to Edsel Ford II
, then the Deputy Managing Director of Ford Motor Company
who was touring Australia at the time. He and a local design team elected to capitalise on Allan Moffat
and Colin Bond
's crushing 1-2 finish at the 1977 Bathurst 1000 by creating a road car with a "totally American" look that could be homologated
for racing, while at the same time offering enthusiasts the opportunity to own a street-legal version of Moffat's race car. The first prototype was built in late April 1978 and production began that same July.
The cars were painted white and finished with bright blue racing stripes and "Cobra" emblems, a throwback to Carroll Shelby
's Mustangs
of the 1960s that made the car easily identifiable as a Ford muscle car
. Unusually, the bodyshells were painted blue first, the intended blue stripes then masked and the white coat painted over the top.
Each of the cars was given its own individual serial number and fitted with a sequentially-numbered plaque (from 1 to 400) in the dash. The first 200 produced were given the 5.8L 351 Cleveland V8, while the other 200 received the 4.9L 302 Cleveland (the exception Build number 1 was a 302 and Build Number 351 was a 351).
Cobras were available with either automatic or manual transmission. Standard equipment included four-wheel disc brakes and limited slip axles, 15-inch Bathurst Globe wheels and front & rear spoilers. The interiors were fitted with sport leather seats in black with blue inserts.
From number 2 to 31 were known as Option 97, were fitted with optional parts to allow homologation for racing, including twin thermostatically controlled fans, an engine oil cooler and racing seats. They were identified from the other 370 Option 96 Cobras by a large rear-opening bulge in the hood. Allan Moffat raced one of these cars at the 1978 Bathurst 1000.
Falcon Cobras are still highly revered by collectors across Australia and most still exist. A mint example can be worth upwards of $
70,000.
unveiled a new limited edition Cobra, celebrating 30 years since Moffat and Bond's 1-2 finish. Like the original, the new Cobra will have a certified build of just 400 units. In addition, a Cobra Ute
has been added to the lineup, of which just 100 will be built. Both cars are powered by a new 5.4-litre Boss 302 engine; the name is derived from the 302kW (405hp
) power output.
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
released by Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
in 1978. It was based on the XC Hardtop (Coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
).
History
In 1978, Ford Australia unveiled plans for an all-new Falcon, dubbed the XD, that would be released in 1979. Unlike the current XC, the new model would be offered only as a four-door sedan or station wagonStation wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
, meaning the two-door XC Hardtops of 1978 would be the last of that design.
When final production of the XC Hardtop at the Broadmeadows Assembly
Broadmeadows Assembly
Broadmeadows Assembly is a Ford Motor Company automobile factory in Victoria, Australia spanning . The plant currently employs approx 2,088 workers....
plant ended in March 1978, 400 body shells were left unsold and Ford Australia faced a dilemma of how to market them, rather than scrapping them or attempting to sell them to customers who would otherwise wait for the XD. When an original proposal to turn these cars into Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
-themed cars (complete with "bunny" decals) was rejected as sending the wrong image for a family car company, Ford turned to Edsel Ford II
Edsel Ford II
Edsel Bryant Ford II is the great-grandson of Henry Ford and the son of Henry Ford II. He is currently a member of the board of directors of Ford Motor Company.-Education:...
, then the Deputy Managing Director of Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
who was touring Australia at the time. He and a local design team elected to capitalise on Allan Moffat
Allan Moffat
Allan George Moffat, OBE is an Australian racing driver known for his four wins in the Australian Touring Car Championship, six wins in the Sandown 500 and his four wins in the Bathurst 1000...
and Colin Bond
Colin Bond
Colin John Bond is a retired Australian racing driver. Bond reached the highest levels in Australian motorsport in 1969 when he was recruited by Harry Firth to the newly formed Holden Dealer Team...
's crushing 1-2 finish at the 1977 Bathurst 1000 by creating a road car with a "totally American" look that could be homologated
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
for racing, while at the same time offering enthusiasts the opportunity to own a street-legal version of Moffat's race car. The first prototype was built in late April 1978 and production began that same July.
The cars were painted white and finished with bright blue racing stripes and "Cobra" emblems, a throwback to Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
's Mustangs
Shelby Mustang
The Shelby Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang which was built by Shelby American from 1965 through 1970. Following the introduction of the fifth generation Ford Mustang, the Shelby nameplate was revived in 2007 for new high performance versions of the Mustang.- 1965–1966 :The...
of the 1960s that made the car easily identifiable as a Ford muscle car
Muscle car
Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." Usually, a large V8 engine is fitted in a...
. Unusually, the bodyshells were painted blue first, the intended blue stripes then masked and the white coat painted over the top.
Each of the cars was given its own individual serial number and fitted with a sequentially-numbered plaque (from 1 to 400) in the dash. The first 200 produced were given the 5.8L 351 Cleveland V8, while the other 200 received the 4.9L 302 Cleveland (the exception Build number 1 was a 302 and Build Number 351 was a 351).
Cobras were available with either automatic or manual transmission. Standard equipment included four-wheel disc brakes and limited slip axles, 15-inch Bathurst Globe wheels and front & rear spoilers. The interiors were fitted with sport leather seats in black with blue inserts.
From number 2 to 31 were known as Option 97, were fitted with optional parts to allow homologation for racing, including twin thermostatically controlled fans, an engine oil cooler and racing seats. They were identified from the other 370 Option 96 Cobras by a large rear-opening bulge in the hood. Allan Moffat raced one of these cars at the 1978 Bathurst 1000.
Falcon Cobras are still highly revered by collectors across Australia and most still exist. A mint example can be worth upwards of $
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
70,000.
2007 Cobra
At the 2007 Bathurst 1000, Ford Performance VehiclesFord Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles is the Melbourne-based, premium performance vehicle partner of automobile manufacturer Ford Australia. The company, which is as a joint venture between Prodrive and Ford Australia, has produced a range of Ford based models under the FPV brand name since April...
unveiled a new limited edition Cobra, celebrating 30 years since Moffat and Bond's 1-2 finish. Like the original, the new Cobra will have a certified build of just 400 units. In addition, a Cobra Ute
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
has been added to the lineup, of which just 100 will be built. Both cars are powered by a new 5.4-litre Boss 302 engine; the name is derived from the 302kW (405hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
) power output.