1978 Ford Falcon XC Cobra Coupe (351 V8, Build 077)

Description

Described in Ford’s marketing as 'a spirited car for the enthusiast', the Cobra was a limited edition run of XC hardtops inspired by Ford’s triumphant win at Bathurst in 1977. The brainchild of Edsel Ford, the real motivation for the Cobra’s existence was far more prosaic – Ford needed to move their surplus stock of hardtop shells. The limited run of 400 Cobras comprised a mixture of 4.9 and 5.8-litre models, built in batches of both auto and manual tranmissions. All had power-assisted brakes front and rear, a limited-slip diff, Bathurst Globe alloy wheels and dual exhaust system. The Cobra made a bold statement, with white and blue graphics, front and rear spoilers and colour-coded bumpers. The aggressive appearance was complemented by quartz-halogen headlights and long-range driving lights, with plenty of scoops and ducts for keeping the brakes and engine cool. Inside, the front bucket seats and rear bench were trimmed in black and blue cloth trim, there was cut-pile carpet and a comprehensively equipped instrument panel. Brash though it may have been, the Cobra package proved a real hit with buyers, becoming the poster car for a generation of Ford fans in the late Seventies. Ford supplied just two Cobras to each of their premium dealers and all 400 cars sold out within days. The Cobra was a very healthy performer and took on the mighty A9X Toranas in the 1978 Touring Car Championship and surviving examples have become cherished collector’s items over the years.