The Mystichrome Cobra Authority
was established to record
the pertinent history and authoritative knowledge
about the Mystichrome Cobra
The Historical Significance of the Mystichrome Cobra
Ford’s Rationale for Creating a New Legend
Written by the founder of The Mystichrome Cobra Authority
Let’s travel back in time. The year is 2004. The legendary Ford Mustang has reached another milestone year, and Ford Motor Company wants to celebrate 40 years of uninterrupted production of their famous ponycar to hit the automotive world scene. Ford could have chosen to do a number of things to commemorate the occasion, but why did they elect to produce another car with color-shifting paint for this honor? The subsequent history contained herein on this website will answer this question and shed light on any mysteries surrounding the car and its special paint. Click on any of the chapter links below to start reading and learning about the Mystichrome Cobra.
Chapter 1: Looking to the Past to Understand the Present
Chapter 2: How to Properly Celebrate a Milestone
Chapter 3: Making Good with Lessons Learned
Chapter 4: When in Doubt, Offer More!
Chapter 5: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, Several Leaps Forward
Chapter 6: Tailoring Amped-Up Looks for Hopped-Up Performance
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Official Mystichrome Cobra Press Releases
Special Vehicle Team (Ford’s in-house performance tuner known simply as SVT) published the first, official press release about the Mystichrome Cobra as it debuted at the New York International Auto Show on April 16, 2003.
To read SVT’s press release, click HERE.
Ford Motor Company published their lengthy, official press release about the Mystichrome Cobra on April 17, 2003, one day after the special-edition Cobra made its world debut and 39 years since the day when the first Ford Mustang made its debut.
To read Ford’s press release, click HERE.
Official Mystichrome Cobra Press Photos
The photo to the right was the very first photo leaked to the press ahead of the official debut for the Mystichrome Cobra. The bright venue lights at the New York International Auto Show really set off the Mystichrome paint in a stunning display. For many proud owners, this photo was responsible for the ensuing love affair with this car. With its mesmerizing brilliance, mystical eminence, and dropdead performance, who could resist its presence?
To view more official press photos, click HERE.
Original Terminator Cobra Sales Brochures
For comparison and archival purposes, the original sales brochures for both model years of the Terminator Cobra are hosted here on this website. Click on the links below to view and download.
Original Terminator Cobra Ordering Guides
To this day, ordering guides are used by dealerships to properly place orders for vehicles from the factory. The original ordering guides for both model years of the Terminator Cobra are also archived on this website. Click below to view and download.
Mystichrome Cobra Codes
Not the original owner of your Mystichrome Cobra? Wondering if that car for sale down the street is a true Mystichrome Cobra and not someone’s project car? No need to fret! To learn how to verify a factory-produced Mystichrome Cobra, click HERE.
Mystichrome Cobra Facts
Only 1,010 Mystichrome Cobras were produced only for the 2004 model year. Of this total build, 515 coupes and 495 convertibles were produced. To learn about more interesting Mystichrome Cobra facts and trivia, click HERE.
Original SVT Welcome Letter
For everyone who was able to purchase their Terminator Cobras brand new from a Ford dealership, SVT mailed a welcome packet to all new owners after the model year had concluded. One of the documents inside the large, white envelope was a welcome letter from SVT, which thanked the recipient for their purchase and explained the significance of the enclosed build certificate.
However, for purchasers of a Mystichrome Cobra, there was a second page to this letter, which was additional documentation for the vehicle’s Mystichrome Appearance Package and stated the unique Mystichrome Cobra build number out of 1,010 units. This second page of the SVT welcome letter is the only physical documentation for the Mystichrome Cobra build number.
Original SVT Build Certificate
Also included in the original SVT welcome packet was the new vehicle’s SVT build certificate, which was sandwiched between thick card stock for protection. The certificate stated the actual build date and the overall Cobra coupe or convertible build number. (Total 2004 Cobra coupe production was 3,768 units, and total 2004 Cobra convertible production was 1,896 units.) The SVT build certificate is the only physical documentation for these two pieces of information. However, please note that this build number is not the Mystichrome Cobra build number.
SVT Build Certificate for a Mystichrome Cobra
Unfortunately, Ford effectively dissolved SVT after 2004 with Scarpello’s transfer and Coletti’s exit, the two men who really built SVT and whose signatures were emblazoned on the original build certificates. For those who have purchased their Cobras used in the years since, Ford Show Parts offers “SVT” build certificates, but they are completely different now.
