1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra 0001-4669

This official archive image documents the 1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra, the top Mustang II model and a single-year edition with just 4,313 built. It is identified by an enormous bonnet-mounted cobra decal, a deep front air dam, a rear spoiler and lower body striping, with the 302 cubic inch V8 fitted as standard rather than as an option.

What Was the King Cobra?

The King Cobra sat above the Cobra II as the Mustang II's flagship, produced only for 1978, the generation's final year. It combined the most aggressive bodywork Ford had put on the car with the 302 V8 as standard equipment.

Its signature feature was a very large cobra graphic covering most of the bonnet, an approach borrowed in spirit from the screaming chicken decal on Pontiac's Trans Am — and just as divisive at the time.

How Rare Is It?

Only 4,313 King Cobras were built, all in the 1978 model year, which makes it one of the lowest-volume Mustang variants of any generation.

Survival rates compound the rarity. Mustang IIs were treated as disposable for decades, and many King Cobras lost their distinctive decals to repainting. An original, complete car is a genuinely scarce object.

What Did the King Cobra Include?

Standard King Cobra equipment:

• 302 cubic inch V8 as standard, not optional
• Large bonnet-mounted cobra graphic
• Deep front air dam with integrated spoiler
• Rear deck spoiler and lower body striping
• Produced for the 1978 model year only, 4,313 units

Who Is This Print For?

This 1978 King Cobra print appeals to Mustang II owners, King Cobra collectors, 1970s graphics enthusiasts, restoration shops, offices and garages. As vintage Ford wall art a 4,313-unit single-year model is a conversation piece. Choose framed, canvas, metal or Giclée formats for a home office, study, museum display or Ford wall decor programme.

Photograph Details

• Subject: Ford Mustang II King Cobra
• Model year: 1978
• Notable: Top Mustang II model, single-year edition
• Engine: 302 cubic inch V8, standard
• Details: Bonnet-mounted cobra decal, deep front air dam, rear spoiler, lower body striping
• Production: 4,313
• Archive reference: 0001-4669

This archival photograph is made available through Fordimages.com, the official Ford archive imagery licensee operated by Richard Weedn LLC. Each image is digitally restored before printing and handcrafted to order.

Available as:

• Framed Print — museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, hanging hardware included
• Stretched Canvas — hand-stretched over 1.25-inch pine bars, heavy cotton poly matte finish
• ChromaLuxe Metal Print — image infused directly onto sheets of alloy metal for maximum vibrancy and durability
• Giclée Art Print — 260gsm satin finish paper, finest archival inks, white border

Made in the USA or Europe depending on your location.

About the Artwork

Artwork in this collection comes from the Ford Motor Company Archives, The Henry Ford Museum, the Carroll Shelby Archives, and the collections of acclaimed photographers and painters from around the world. Reproduction rights are reserved by the respective copyright owners.

Our framed prints feature a black, hand-stained solid wood frame with a white mat, museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, and hanging hardware. The frame features a slim 0.8-inch face and projects 1.3 inches from the wall, creating a clean, contemporary shadow-box effect. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our stretched canvas prints are produced on acid-free, pH-neutral, and fade-resistant canvas. Each canvas is hand-glued to solid wood stretcher bars and stretched over 1.25-inch-thick pine bars. Mounting brackets are included. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our Giclée prints are produced using premium 200gsm semi-gloss paper and high-quality archival inks. Each print includes a white border around the perimeter.

For the 40 x 60 size, we use 250gsm museum-quality archival paper with an off-white, uncoated finish.

The listed size refers to the overall paper dimensions. The image is printed proportionally within the selected paper size. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

ChromaLuxe prints use a state-of-the-art coating process that infuses the image directly onto sheets of alloy metal. The result is photography with an exceptional combination of vibrancy, clarity, and durability.

Each print arrives ready to hang. An alloy subframe on the back allows the artwork to float away from the wall for a sleek, modern appearance. This is the finest-quality print we offer. Made in the USA.

All images are digitally restored before printing. Production location varies by product and destination. Shipping is calculated at checkout.