Mustang II

1978 Ford Mustang Facts

The 1978 Mustang II ended the second generation with Cobra II, King Cobra, V8 image-building, and a sales rebound before the Fox-body Mustang arrived.

Total Production
192,410
Buyers Guide Owner guide Codes & troubleshooting

Image Gallery

1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II
1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II Coupe / Cobra The 1978 Cobra's stance, trim, and model-year exterior details are clear in this photo. Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · Source · CC BY 2.0
Image rights & changes
Creator
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA
Exact source
Open source record
Use basis
CC BY 2.0
Changes
Auto-oriented, resized, and metadata removed for web display.
1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra, rear left, 06-21-2026
1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra, rear left, 06-21-2026 Hatchback / Cobra The 1978 Cobra's stance, trim, and model-year exterior details are clear in this photo. Photo: MercurySable99 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Image rights & changes
Creator
MercurySable99
Exact source
Open source record
Use basis
CC BY-SA 4.0; this web adaptation is offered under the same ShareAlike license.
Changes
Auto-oriented, resized, metadata removed, and visible license plates blurred.
1978 Ford Mustang Cobra
1978 Ford Mustang Cobra Liftback / Cobra Liftback Cobra angle adds a different Mustang II performance look instead of repeating the Cobra II coupe photo set. Photo: dave_7 · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0
Image rights & changes
Creator
dave_7
Exact source
Open source record
Use basis
CC BY-SA 2.0; this web adaptation is offered under the same ShareAlike license.
Changes
Auto-oriented, resized, and metadata removed for web display.

Overview

Production Breakout

Model / Body Style Units Type
Hardtop 81,304 Body / trim
2+2 hatchback 60,399 Body / trim
Cobra II 8,009 Body / trim
Ghia 34,730 Body / trim
Mach 1 7,968 Body / trim
King Cobra 4,313 Special edition
Cobra II 8,009 Special edition
Mach 1 7,968 Special edition
Ghia 34,730 Special edition

Engines & Power

Code Engine Induction HP Torque Availability
Y 140 cid Lima inline-four 2-barrel 88 119 MustangSpecs' current engine table has a distinct fourth row for this engine (88 hp @ 4,800 rpm / 118 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm) that closely corroborates this figure. The table's other three rows repeat the same 1976-1977 templated figures already documented in those years' dossiers and are not treated as corroborating evidence. Base engine
Z 171 cid Cologne V6 2-barrel 90 143 MustangSpecs' current engine table reports 104 hp/140 lb-ft for this engine, identical to its 1976 and 1977 tables; this looks like a repeated/templated row rather than a distinct 1978 value. Optional V6
F 302 cid Windsor V8 2-barrel 139 250 MustangSpecs' current engine table reports 134 hp/213 lb-ft for this engine, identical to its 1976 and 1977 tables; this looks like a repeated/templated row rather than a distinct 1978 value. Optional V8 and King Cobra engine

Specifications

Options & Packages

Counts distinguish verified production records, attributed reports, disputed figures, announced limits, and figures that do not survive in available records.

Option or package Ford code Market Availability Units Count status
T-Roof Convertible (T-Tops) Removable tinted glass roof panels. — United States Hatchback-only regular-production option. Unknown Research incomplete
SelectAire Air Conditioning Climate control system. — United States Regular-production option. Unknown Research incomplete
Glass Moonroof Slide-open glass panel roof. — United States Regular-production option. Unknown Research incomplete
Traction-Lok Differential Limited slip rear differential. — United States Regular-production option. Unknown Research incomplete
Competition Suspension Upgraded handling suspension. — United States Regular-production option. Unknown Research incomplete

Buyer Identification

Special & Tuner Models

King Cobra

Production 4,313 built
Identity Final-year Mustang II image model with 5.0 V8, bold graphics, deep air dam, and unmistakable hood snake.
Body / basis Shelby/SVT-backed performance variant. Authenticate with serialized paperwork and original equipment.
Distinctive equipment 5.0L 302 V8; Deep front air dam; Large hood cobra decal; Side striping; Rear spoiler; Wheel-lip extensions.
Package notes The 1978-only King Cobra was Ford's loudest performance-image Mustang II and the first Mustang marketed with 5.0 badging.
Why it matters Cobra branding, graphics, or SVT hardware give it a distinct performance-image role.

Cobra II

Production 8,009 built
Identity The Cobra II package continued through the end of Mustang II production.
Body / basis Orderable appearance, handling, or equipment package rather than a standalone body style.
Distinctive equipment The Cobra II package continued through the end of Mustang II production.
Why it matters Cobra branding, graphics, or SVT hardware give it a distinct performance-image role.

Mach 1

Production 7,968 built
Identity Final Mustang II Mach 1 year. The badge would rest until its New Edge revival.
Body / basis Factory or dealer-recognized Mustang variant. Authenticate with original paperwork and package-specific equipment.
Distinctive equipment Final Mustang II Mach 1 year. The badge would rest until its New Edge revival.
Why it matters Mach 1 branding ties the year to Mustang performance-image history.

Ghia

Production 34,730 built
Identity Luxury notchback model.
Body / basis Factory, dealer, regional, or commemorative package. Authenticate with original paperwork and package-specific trim.
Distinctive equipment Luxury notchback model.
Why it matters Package-specific trim, colors, and paperwork drive authenticity and value.

Magazine & Road Test Links

Consumer Guide Consumer Guide 1978 Mustang II Cobra II road-test summary The linked reference summarizes period Consumer Guide criticism of Cobra II ride and handling.

Related Stories

MustangCarFacts.com Why the Mustang II is so controversial The right car for the fuel-crisis moment, but a permanent argument among performance-minded Mustang fans.

Additional Notes

Owner Finds

As an Amazon Associate MustangCarFacts.com earns from qualifying purchases. These links open Amazon searches, so verify fitment, licensing, seller, price, and availability before buying.

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Year-Correct Floor Mats

A tidy first upgrade for a driver-quality car: look for well-reviewed, properly fitting mats with licensed Mustang branding and heel-pad durability.

Shop 1978 Mustang logo floor mats
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Indoor or Outdoor Car Cover

Good fit for storage season, garage dust, and weekend cars that spend more time being preserved than parked outside the diner.

Shop 1978 Mustang fitted car cover
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Mustang Keychain or Jewelry

A small owner gift with a lot of emotional mileage: keychains, lapel pins, cufflinks, and other Mustang-logo keepsakes.

Shop 1978 Mustang logo keychain jewelry

Sources

  1. Marti Auto Works Ford production reports
  2. 1978 Ford Mustang guide
  3. Old Car Brochures Mustang archive
  4. PaintRef Ford Mustang color-code reference
  5. MustangAttitude 1978 Ford Mustang production totals
  6. Ford Mustang second-generation reference
  7. Ford Mustang third-generation reference
  8. Ford Mustang Mach 1 reference
  9. Ford Mustang variants reference