Lot SN3318: 1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

Great question! The 1995 SVT Cobra and the Mustang GT might look similar at a glance, but they’re fundamentally different machines. Here’s what separates them:

Engine & Powertrain

The heart of the difference is under the hood. Both use Ford’s 5.0L “Windsor” V8, but they’re very different builds:

• GT: 215 hp at 4,200 rpm and 285 lb-ft of torque. Standard 5.0 with regular production heads and intake. Available with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

• Cobra: 240 hp at 4,800 rpm and 285 lb-ft of torque. SVT developed this engine with GT40 cast iron cylinder heads (better flowing), a unique cast aluminum Cobra intake manifold, 1.7 ratio Crane roller rocker arms, 24 lb/hr fuel injectors (vs. 19 lb in the GT), and a different camshaft profile. Manual transmission only — no automatic option.

That 25 horsepower difference might not sound huge, but the Cobra’s modifications gave it much better mid-range punch and a broader power band. Plus, most enthusiasts agree the 240 hp rating was conservative — these engines often dyno higher.

Brakes & Suspension

The Cobra got serious hardware the GT didn’t:

• Bigger front brakes: 13-inch rotors with 2-piston PBR calipers (GT had smaller 10.8” or 11” depending on options)
• Softer springs combined with unique sway bars — SVT tuned it more for handling balance than straight-line digs
• 3.08 rear gears were standard on the Cobra

Visual Differences

• Wheels: Cobra got unique 17-inch five-spoke alloys; GTs ran 16-inch or upgraded 17s, but with a different design
• Front fascia: Cobra had body-color front fascia with integrated fog lights (GT fog lights were separate)
• Rear spoiler: Different deck lid spoiler design on the Cobra
• Rear valance: Cobra had a unique rear valance with cutouts for the true dual exhaust (GT had single exhaust on one side, or optional duals on GTs with the right package)
• Badging: Cobra came with leather-wrapped steering wheel with Cobra emblem, Cobra-badged engine cover, and of course, the snake on the front grille and rear decklid

Production & Significance

This is where the Cobra really stands apart — only 4,005 convertibles were built for 1995 (and about 5,008 coupes). The GT? Ford cranked out well over 100,000 of those.

The 1995 Cobra was also historically significant as the final year of the pushrod 5.0 V8. Starting in 1996, the Cobra got Ford’s 4.6L modular V8. So the ‘95 represents the end of an era — the last of the true “5.0” Cobras developed by Ford’s SVT team.

The Bottom Line

The GT was a great performance car for its day. But the Cobra was a factory-built special — developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team with unique engine components, better brakes, manual-only configuration, and real rarity. This isn’t a trim package or appearance upgrade. It’s a different car that just happens to share the same basic platform.

Want to see how that translates to today’s market values? Or interested in finding other SN-95 Cobras for sale? Let me know!