1996 Ford Mustang Facts

Overview

• Ford built 135,980 Mustangs for the 1996 model year by MustangSpecs' reconciling body/trim breakdown (the same page's own prose summary instead states 135,620, an internal 360-unit inconsistency); Ford's own year-end release separately reports 122,674 calendar-year U.S. retail sales for 1996, a different metric covering a different period, not a competing production count.
• The GT switched to a 4.6L SOHC Modular V8.
• The Cobra received a 4.6L DOHC Modular V8 rated at 305 hp.

Production Breakout

MustangSpecs is internally inconsistent: its summary reports 135,620, while its detailed body/trim table sums to 135,980. Ford separately reports 122,674 calendar-year U.S. sales for 1996. The sales figure uses different timing and scope and is not directly comparable; the table below follows the reconciling 135,980 split.

Engines & Power

Specifications

• Conceptcarz reports 181.5-inch overall body length, 71.8-inch width, 53.2-inch height, a 101.3-inch wheelbase, and 60.5/59.2-inch front/rear track across all body styles and trims -- nearly identical to the corroborated 1994-1995 figures, consistent with the shared SN95 platform.
• Reported curb weights: Base Coupe 3,060 lb; Base Convertible 3,070 lb; GT Coupe 3,080 lb; GT Convertible 3,470 lb; Cobra Coupe 3,400 lb; Cobra Convertible 3,570 lb.

Options & Packages

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

Buyer Identification

• Use the 17-character VIN, door certification label, buck tag when available, window sticker, and build sheet. For SN95 and New Edge cars, VIN/body codes separate coupe/convertible and engine family, while options and special packages usually require the window sticker or SVT certificate.
• Verify Cobra, Cobra R, Bullitt, Mach 1, 35th/40th Anniversary, Spring Feature, Centennial, and Roush/Saleen/Steeda claims by matching the VIN, model code, engine, brakes, wheels, interior, exterior parts, serialized certificate, and package-specific color or trim.

Special & Tuner Models

Additional Notes

• SN95 and New Edge color verification should combine the door label, window sticker, and special-model records: Mystic and Mystichrome Cobras, Atlantic Blue and Zinc Yellow New Edge cars, Bullitt Dark Highland Green, Mach 1 stripe/interior combinations, and SVT certificates are where rare combinations usually show up.
• The switch from 5.0 pushrod to 4.6 Modular power split Mustang fans at the time but defined the next decade.
• The 1996 GT introduced Ford's 4.6L modular V8 to Mustang, starting a new engine family era after decades of small-block pushrod identity.
• The 1996 Cobra's aluminum DOHC 4.6L V8 gave SVT a higher-revving personality distinct from the older 5.0 Cobra.
• Mystic Cobra paint changed color with viewing angle, turning a factory paint option into one of the most memorable 1990s SVT identifiers.