Mustang History 1995

Mustang History: 1995

1994 1996

From SVT comes the most intense factory Mustang to date, the 1995 Cobra R. Built for the track, Cobra R is equipped with a competition suspension, 351 5.8L V8 marine block with GT-40 cylinder heads, heavy-duty radiator and oil cooler, Tremec five-speed transmission and P255/45ZR17 BFGoodrich Comp T/A radials (and without stereo, air conditioner and back seats). A competition license from a sanctioned racing body is required to purchase one of 250 white Cobra R models.

To spot a Cobra R on the road, look for a fuel cell, unique 5-spoke "R" wheels, fiberglass hood that has been raised to clear the intake manifold and the absence of fog lights. If the look of the Cobra R isn't a dead giveaway, one need only hear the 5.8-liter 300 horsepower/365 foot-pounds of torque to know they are in the presence of one of the most potent Mustangs ever to roll off the Dearborn assembly line.

A GTS was added to the lineup for 1995. There were 6,370 produced--4,848 5-speeds and 1,522 automatics. GTSs came standard with the basic equipment that made a Mustang a GT. This included the 302cid pushrod V-8 powerplant, Borg-Warner T-5 manual transmission and a Traction-Lok axle. Obvious external characteristics of a GTS are the absence of a rear decklid spoiler, lack of fog lamps in the front airdam, and 16"x7" 5 spoke SN-95 pony rims. Factory original GTSs will have the "Mustang GT" logo embossed on the rear bumper cover, as is the case on standard GTs, and "Mustang GT" badging on the front fenders. Dual 2.25" stainless steel tail pipes exit the back.

Inside the passenger compartment, the GTS Mustang shared the same amenities as the base V-6 Mustang. Seats are cloth and 4-way power adjustable seats were only optional on the driver's side. Windows and door locks were manual. Only the driver and passenger side mirrors were powered. Air conditioning and an AM/FM stereo cassette player were standard. Visor mirrors were non-illuminated, as opposed to illuminated like the GT and convertible Mustangs. The instrument pod was the only interior amenity borrowed from the GT, and it included a 7000 rpm redline tach, 150 mph speedometer, fuel, volt, oil, and temp gauges.

As a side note, all options on V6 models were also available on the GTS. These options are easily broken down into two categories. Package Group 1 consisted of power windows, door locks and remote decklid release, which was standard on GT and convertible. Group 2 consisted of cruise control, dual illuminated visor mirrors (standard on GT and convertible), and an AM/FM stereo cassette player with premium sound. Four-wheel antilock brakes, an AODE transmission, and remote keyless entry were also options. Customers were able to order GTSs from the factory with as little or as many options as they wanted. Options were also available at the dealer, on request of the purchaser.

Ford did away with the GTS designation in 1996, with 1995 being the only year a true GTS model existed, replacing it with the 248A option package which deleted many things from the car and made it comparable to the GTS. This package continued to be offered until the end of the 1998 model year.

This is the last year for the venerable 5.0L 302 cid V8, marking the end of Mustang's overhead-valve/pushrod-engine era.

The SVT badge appears on the Cobra for the first time. The 1995 Cobra was powered by the same 240-hp 5.0L V-8 used in 1994 snakes. Color options on were Black (1433), White (1125), and Red (1447), for a total of 4005, and 1003 convertibles were produced. This model year was the only year for the convertible hardtop, and with only 499 models available, it has become a sought after collectible. The hardtop/ragtop was installed as a prototype on a few V6 and GT Mustangs, which have found their way into private hands, but were never "officially" produced. 1995 was also the last year for the well-known 5.0L, which is another feature creating a demand for some collectors.

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