UPDATE: September 2011.
The '74 Mach 1 is sold (and moved to page 2) so for now we just have the King Cobra 
This is my wifes 78 King Cobra.
The first three photos were sent to me by the previous owner after we had met in Tauranga Christmas 08/09. I was very surprised to learn that there was a King Cobra in New Zealand since I had been noting all the Mustang IIs around the country that I could find and knew of a few Cobra II's but wasnt aware of any Kings. The next ones were taken by me after visiting him in Wellington for a weekend April 09 to have a look at the car. The car had been in country since 2000 but had undergone a 5 year rebuild and was only road registered in 2005. Since then it had only been driven about 1600 miles, the longest trip about 30miles (50km)!
He knew I was very interested in the car and said he would sell if I really wanted it! Well, that was the start of a lot of discussion with my mife and trying to figure out how we could do it and working out a budget. May 10, we made a decision to try and do it so after a few emails a price was settled on and I had the car shipped up. Here is its arrival:
Bit of a squeeze fitting two II's in the garage but they do fit - just!
Much of the interior had been replaced or refurbished with new carpet, dash pad and sun visors. The seats however were shot - worn and torn, so the first step was to get them recovered. At the same time the console got a clean up and respray before putting it all back together.
I also discovered that since I had last seen it the car had been in a prang, the front air dam was cracked and had been partially repaired, the bumpers had hairline cracks in them and the rear bumper was out of alingment. So the bumpers and airdam were sent off to my painter for a clean up. (The rear hatch is also still slightly misaligned but that will have to wait - the budget is already well blown!)
I didnt like the space age wheels so was after something more in keeping with the period. The original lacey spokes came with the car but adapters had been fitted that changed the stud pattern - I could have taken them off but then couldnt get 13" tyres of the profile or width that I wanted. I eventually found a set that looked similar to lacey spokes but in 15" and 7" wide. Toyo tyres were fitted (205/55/15 front & 225/50/15 rear). Also bought personalised plates - 78 King says it all!
While panel, paint and interior had been done, underneath the car was covered in 30+ years of grease and dirt. Cleaning is still ongoing but progress is being made. @ Aug 10, air ducts have been repainted, suspension cleaned/painted, brake drums & calipers painted with just the diff and gas tank to be finished. The engine bay is also getting a good tidy with a few shiny bits.
Engine bay before and after:
Sept 2011: Side louvres fitted
October 2011: Managed 2nd place at the NZ National Mustang Convention in the 74-98 class
