1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 0001-4671

This official archive image documents the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra, the performance option on the all-new, third-generation Fox-platform Mustang. Around 17,500 Cobras were built for 1979, most with the 140 horsepower 5.0-litre V8 and a minority with the 131 horsepower turbocharged 2.3-litre four. The package included a front air dam, rear spoiler and an optional bonnet snake graphic.

What Was New for 1979?

1979 brought a completely new Mustang on Ford's Fox platform — lighter than the Mustang II, substantially larger inside, with a modern MacPherson strut front suspension and a crisp, angular body in coupé and hatchback forms.

It was a genuine engineering reset. The Fox Mustang would go on to run in various forms through to 2004, and its 5.0-litre V8 became the foundation of the aftermarket performance culture that still surrounds the car.

What Did the 1979 Cobra Package Include?

The Cobra was the sporting option in the range, offered above the base and Ghia models:

• Choice of turbocharged 2.3-litre four at 131 horsepower or 5.0-litre V8 at 140 horsepower
• Front air dam with integrated fog lamps and a rear spoiler
• Optional large bonnet snake graphic
• Uprated suspension, wider tyres and specific wheels
• Approximately 17,500 built for the 1979 model year

How Does This Car Relate to the King Cobra?

The King Cobra was a distinct, single-year Mustang II model built only for 1978, with 4,313 produced. It did not carry over to the new Fox-body car.

For 1979 the performance option was simply called Cobra, and it continued in the range through 1981. The two are frequently confused because both used a large bonnet snake graphic, but they are different cars on entirely different platforms.

Who Is This Print For?

This 1979 Mustang Cobra print appeals to Fox-body Mustang owners, turbo and 5.0 enthusiasts, Ford collectors, restoration shops, offices and garages. As vintage Ford wall art the first-year Fox Mustang marks a turning point that later generations built on. Choose framed, canvas, metal or Giclée formats for a home office, study, museum display or Ford wall decor programme.

Photograph Details

• Subject: Ford Mustang Cobra
• Model year: 1979
• Platform: Third-generation Fox platform
• Engines: 5.0-litre V8, 140 horsepower; turbocharged 2.3-litre four, 131 horsepower
• Package: Front air dam, rear spoiler, optional bonnet snake graphic
• Production: Around 17,500
• Archive reference: 0001-4671

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.