Muscle Car Specifications
The SVT Cobra, built by Ford’s new Special Vehicle Team, was by far the bright spot for the 1993 Mustang, the last year of production for the third generation Mustang. While the Cobra was defined by exterior differences from the other Mustangs, its appearance is more subdued than that of the GT. Other than the requisite Cobra badges, the Cobra came with distinctive seven-spoke, 17 inch aluminum wheels, a rear wing and a slightly restyled nose featuring the Mustang pony rather than the round blue Ford emblem on the other Mustangs.
But the performance is what set the Cobra apart. In addition to the new Cobra 5.0L engine, the car featured a Borg-Warner T-5 manual transmission (it wasn’t available as an automatic), Koni shocks and larger breaks. Also available as a limited run was the SVT Cobra R, with the “R” standing for racing. It contained the same features and engine as the regular Cobra, but had wider wheels and tires as well as a larger front sway bar for extra handling. Only 107 Cobra SVT R’s were produced.
Other than the Cobra models, the rest of the Mustang models continued a six -year trend of very little change. The base engine was still the 2.3 litre four-cylinder that had been modified three years prior to produce 105 horsepower instead of the traditional 88 that engine had been known for. Other than the horsepower reduction, the 5.0L V8 was also exactly the same as it had been since the early 80s.
Total production jumped back up above 100,000 to 114,228 after 1992’s low of around 80,000. The coupe continued to be the lowest selling model with only 24,851 units produced, as opposed to the 62,077 hatchbacks produced along with 27,300 convertibles.
1993 Mustang LX
The LX model was once again available in its base model or the LX 5.0, which, as it sounds, puts the V8 into the standard model Mustang while also upgrading the instrument panel to the GT’s sportier model. The LX was the only model line that contained the option of a coupe, and could also be purchased in a hatchback or convertible. The base price for the coupe was $10,719.
1993 Mustang GT
Nearly nothing was changed on the GT model’s, either, which came with the V8 standard and was only available in the hatchback and convertible body styles. Fog lights, a front air dam and side fender scoops again distinguished the exterior. Base price for the 1993 Mustang GT (hatchback) was $15,747. To compare, the LX 5.0 hatchback model had a starting price of $14,710.
1993 Mustang SVT Cobra
Only available in a hatchback model, the regular Cobra had a production run of 4,993 and a price tag of $20,000 (the SVT Cobra R tacked an additional $5,692 on to that price).
Competition
As it had been basically since the inception of the third generation in 1979, the Mustang had to compete not only with fuel-efficient economy cars, but also with an ever-increasing number of high performance sports cars. By the late 80s and early 90s, Mustang had attempted to do both with the two different engine options. Drivers who wanted a sporty looking car without spending much on gas could have the four-cylinder, and those who wanted performance could opt for the V8.
By 1993, many Mustang drivers were choosing the performance option. For the third consecutive year, mid-sized sedans topped the United States best-sellers list (Ford Taurus, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry). To generalize it a little, it seems that the trend was to go with a roomy car that got decent gas mileage or opt for the high-performance of a Mustang or a competitor like the Toyota Supra or the ever-present (again) Camaro.
Regardless, with 1993 being the last year of the third generation Mustang, Ford was working on a major overhaul for the following year in an attempt to increasing slumping sales numbers.
For Sale
Image Gallery
Engine Specifications
| Type | Size | Carb | Horse Power | Tourqe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX Convertible | 2.3L I4 | Fuel Injection | 105 hp | 135 lb-ft |
| LX Coupe | 2.3L I4 | Fuel Injection | 105 hp | 135 lb-ft |
| LX Hatchback | 2.3L I4 | Fuel Injection | 105 hp | 135 lb-ft |
| Cobra Hatchback | 4.9L V8 | Fuel Injection | 235 hp | 280 lb-ft |
| GT Convertible | 4.9L V8 | Fuel Injection | 205 hp | 275 lb-ft |
| GT Hatchback | 4.9L V8 | Fuel Injection | 205 hp | 275 lb-ft |
| LX 5.0L Convertible | 4.9L V8 | Fuel Injection | 205 hp | 275 lb-ft |
| LX 5.0L Coupe | 4.9L V8 | Fuel Injection | 205 hp | 275 lb-ft |
| LX 5.0L Hatchback | 4.9L V8 | Fuel Injection | 205 hp | 275 lb-ft |
Performance Statistics
| Model | 0 to 60 mph | Quarter Mile | Engine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra | n/a | 14.3 sec @ 96.64 mph | 302ci/245hp | MCR 12/97 |
| 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra | 6.0 sec | 14.6 sec @ 95.6 mph | 302ci/240hp | Motor Trend 6/93 |
| 1993 Ford Mustang GT | 8.0 sec | 16.1 sec @ 85.1 mph | 302ci/205hp | Motor Trend 5/93 |