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The Mystichrome Cobra Authority

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

Chapter 7: A Birthplace and a Birthright

Chapter 8: Wise Words to Mystichrome Cobra Owners

sutuv

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.

Official Debut — Mystichrome Cobra

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.

 

2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra brochure

2004 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra brochure

Terminator Cobra Sales Brochures

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.

 

2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra ordering guide

2004 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra ordering guide

Terminator Cobra Ordering Guides

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.

 

SVT Welcome Letter for a Mystichrome Cobra

SVT Welcome Letter

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.

SVT Build Certificate
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The Mystichrome Cobra
    Copyright © 2004–2025
    The Mystichrome Cobra Authority
    All rights reserved

    About

    The Mystichrome Cobra Authority
    is the only authoritative, online source
    of news and information about the rare,
    limited-number 2004 Ford SVT Mustang
    Cobra that came factory-equipped with
    the unique, special-edition Mystichrome
    Appearance Package (simply known as
    the 2004 Mystichrome Cobra), seeking
    to dispel any myths and mysteries about
    the vehicle. Our focus is to preserve the
    historical context and special-edition
    status of the 2004 Mystichrome Cobra,
    as well as to facilitate camaraderie and
    friendship over our special vehicles.

    This unparalleled website, its unique
    design, and informative content are the
    property of The Mystichrome Cobra
    Authority. Great care is taken in the
    design, aesthetics, and maintenance of
    this website, as it conveys the same high
    standards of timeless beauty and quality
    of the Mystichrome Cobra.

    This website and its content make no
    claim on or affiliation with Ford Motor
    Company and its intellectual property
    and all respective trademarks.

    Blog

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      Apr 16, 2023
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    • Mystichrome Cobra #969 and this website’s founderHappy 19th Birthday, Mystichromers!
      Jan 14, 2023
      Extending birthday wishes and many happy returns to every surviving Mystichrome Cobra out there.