Only 300 units of this highly sought-after Mustang were ever made.
The Ford Mustang has been intertwined with American car culture since its introduction in the '60s. There have been some exceptional gems within the Mustang's lifetime, but little come close to the 2000 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R.
Whenever there's a unique Ford on display, you can count on Ford fanatic REVan Evan to be there and tell us all about it. At the Ford NMRA Homecoming event, he interviewed Paul Svinicki of Paul's High Performance about his limited edition 'Stang. He couldn't help but ogle over this rare piece of American car culture history.
Just like the other 299 units, Paul's SVT Mustang Cobra R has its unique features intact, such as the Performance Red paint, a custom hood, the absence of an antenna, and a large spoiler.
Paul said he lacked an engine and significant components when he got the car. After getting convinced to restore it, he decided to give it a chance and bring it back to life.
The original Cobra R had a 5.4-liter V8, but Paul replaced it with an SVT-built high-performance 4.6-liter FR500 spray-bored engine. The car also underwent several challenges before achieving proper tuning. In fact, the owner went through seven engine blocks and as many failures before he got the tuning right on this particular model. The owner said it makes 585 horsepower at the wheels in its current form – substantially more than the original 385-hp 5.4-liter V8.
Paul's commitment to preserving the SVT Mustang Cobra R's original look is evident in his meticulous modifications. By machining the intake and installing slim throttle bodies from Accufab, he ensured a perfect fit under the hood without altering its height. The nostalgic distributor setup, driven by the exhaust cam, pays homage to the early 2000s when computer systems couldn't handle high RPM demands.
It was worth seeing and hearing what the best Mustang two decades ago sounded like. With the engine roaring and the distinctive side exhaust filling the air, Paul's special muscle car is primed for the track again. He plans to push its limits at upcoming events this year.
Keyword: Rare Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R Is Ready For The Track