Ford Mustang King Cobra
The second generation of Ford Mustang debuted in 1974 and was on the market for four years until 1978. Despite the fact it was the subject of so many jokes and bad press, the Mustang II was a critical model. The downsizing of the Mustang range, introduction of economical four-cylinder engines, and part sharing with other Ford models helped the model survive the recession of the ’70s and the death of the muscle car movement (via Silodrome).
Ford knew that their 5.0 V8 engine made only 140 hp in the Mustang II. The performance was indeed poor but they knew that they could attract some buyers by dressing up the car. So, the King Cobra was introduced. With a flaming snake on the hood, front and rear spoilers, and a complete body kit, the King Cobra was a typical ’70s factory custom car. Needless to say, its performance was not excellent. In reality, it was terrible but the outrageous body kit stole the show. Today, the Mustang King Cobra is considered a collector’s item.