1995 Ford Mustang

The 1995 model year was the second year of the SN95 era, a much updated and improved model based on the previous 1979-1993 Fox-body. It offered a fresh look and rounded styling that impressed automotive enthusiasts and buyers well into the mid-1990s. To enhance handling, ride, comfort, and performance, Team Mustang had strengthened, modified, and braced the old Fox platform so much that it became known as the Fox-4. Ford turned to the original 1965 Mustang for design inspiration, incorporating several styling cues such as the mouthy front grille opening, tri-lens tail lights, and side sculpturing to imply rear brake-cooling scoops. With the new wedge shape, the top-down convertible appeared particularly sleek with the canvas roof stacking completely to disappear into the well area behind the rear seats. The retro theme continued to the interior with a cockpit that featured sweeping lines into the console and door panels.

GT models came with a 5.0-liter V8 rated at 215 horsepower, fog lamps in the front valance, five-spoke 16-inch wheels, rear spoiler, exposed dual tailpipes, and small GT emblems on the front fenders. GT body styles included a coupe priced at $17,900 and a convertible at $22,600.

New for 1995 was the addition of the GTS coupe priced above the base Mustang and below the GT coupe. It used the 5.0-liter HO (high output) V8 and rode on 16-inch, five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels. Another distinguishable feature was the stainless steel dual exhaust system.

The base Mustang came with an overhead valve V-6 engine with sequential fuel injection, and a cast-iron block and head. It offered 145 horsepower and 215 lb-feet of torque backed by a five-speed manual transmission with floor shift controls. A four-speed overdrive transmission was available on all Mustangs except the Cobra. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard with Cobras adding anti-lock features (a $565 option on other models).

The removable hardtop, priced at $1,825 and introduced mid-year in 1994, was optional on the convertible body styles.

The Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) offered the Cobra R to licensed road racers, providing them with a homologated competition Mustang to compete against the Camaros and Firebirds in IMSA endurance racing. Originally introduced in 1993, the SVT team pushed the boundaries even further for 1995 with the Cobra R being equipped with a unique 5.8-liter V8 engine, the first use of a 315 CID engine in the Mustang since 1969. The SVT endowed the V8 with larger valves, forged aluminum roller rocker arms, low-drag accessory drive, a lighter flywheel, and free-flowing exhaust, resulting in 240 HP. Ford softened the suspension with slightly reduced spring rates and smaller diameter tube steel sway bars front and rear, citing the concept of 'controlled compliance.' 13-inch disc brakes were placed in the front while the rear used 11.65-inch rotors. ABS was standard.

The Cobra R was the most expensive Mustang to-date with an MSRP of $37,599. All 250 available units sold out in just 10 hours, and all were Crystal White with tan cloth interior. Many of the 1995 Cobra R models saw competition duty, while others were purchased for its collectability value.

The Mustang Cobra R models were shipped from the Dearborn Assembly Plant to an outside company called Masotech where they received an aftermarket 20 gallon rubberized fuel cell and a heavy-duty cooling system. Masotech also installed a lightweight fiberglass cowl induction hood, providing clearance for the large engine and to further distinguish them from a standard Cobra. The only other exterior accouterment added to this car was its special wheels. These new five-spoke 17-inch 'Cobra R' wheels soon became one of the most favored wheels for Mustang enthusiasts to install on their rides with many aftermarket replicas to be made in the years following. Additional Cobra R specific features included a spoiler, a unique front clip incorporating a larger lower intake and inset fog lamps, Goodyear Eagle GS-C P245/45ZR tires, chromed snake front fender badges, and white-face gauges.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020