These are not the things you want to see.
It’s something that most people outside of the auto industry don’t know, but almost every pre-production and prototype car manufactured by manufacturers eventually gets destroyed. Performance models are especially vulnerable because they live in the hands factory testers and journalists, who don’t pay for tires or brakes. Sometimes, however, one falls through the cracks. According to Ford Muscle, this is exactly what Mustang enthusiast Brandon Clontz discovered when he purchased a 1993 Mustang Cobra R.
Clontz went to see the car. It was advertised as a Cobra R “roller”, meaning that the engine had been removed. Ford produced only 107 special track-edition R models so Clontz bought the car and brought it home. He wanted to learn more so he ordered a Marti Report, which provided him with build history for his Mustang. It also revealed something very fascinating.
It wasn’t a Cobra R or even a Cobra – the car was ordered as a 92 Mustang GT but with the options that were available for the 1993 Cobra. Dearborn was sent the test car by Ford, and not a dealer. Further investigation revealed that this vehicle was actually a preproduction Cobra, which was used for media events and display by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. Clontz was able match the car with many magazine photoshoots, despite the fact that the interior and seats were black cloth like those in the LX model.
The car was still dressed as a Cobra R when he bought it. Ford sent it to Kar Kraft, a well-known tuning company, to be a development mule for Cobra R. It also had an expiration date. The car was then to be destroyed after testing was completed.
Evidently, that didn’t happen and everyone who may know why is keeping mum, according to the report. Clontz has since put a 1993 5.0-liter Cobra engine under the hood. Although it’s not the original engine Clontz did manage to find the original GT40 intake.
Many car enthusiasts consider knowing the history of a car a key part of their ownership experience. Clontz has not only a rare car but also a unique and amazing story.