For several years running, Mr. John Pitz is not only one of the faces of the annual Artomobilia auto show in Carmel, Indiana, he is also one of Classic Auto’s video hosts during the event, interviewing car enthusiast owners and collectors who labor to restore replicas of bygone eras, preserve pieces of automotive history and even loan their classics to famous comedians who just want to take a buddy for a drive and grab a cup of coffee. In 2019, though – we flip the script and feature John, who tells us about his own collector vehicle he brings to Artomobilia for the first time – a 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra convertible.
Future Greatness
John’s red Cobra is a family heirloom, although he does think about selling it occasionally. His family won’t let him. “I have a 2020 Shelby GT 500 on order in Rapid Red, to try to match this one,” he says. “We’ll hopefully have a convertible and a hard top and they’ll be bookends of a series of Shelby’s.” Yep, he’s a Ford fanatic for sure.
The Terminator a Family Heirloom?
The Cobra has always been a popular vehicle. A grand total of 13,476 are made and it is the bestselling model of the SVT series. Plus, there’s a good reason this car’s legacy is still a hot topic of conversation at auto shows and among collectors a decade and a half after its release. Ford’s design team affectionately nickname it “The Terminator” because it has one of the strongest, most durable supercharged engines ever put into a mainline automobile. The team puts a governor on the engine to limit the top speed to approximately 155 mph, but Mustang enthusiasts are a hard group to keep down. With a little innovation and elbow grease, home mechanics can quickly modify their engines and reach maximum speeds of around 205 mph.
Doesn’t Know Its Own Strength
When the 2003 edition of the Mustang Cobra is first introduced to the public, avid drivers notice something … powerful. This Mustang’s 390 hp engine performs really well – almost too well, especially compared to other vehicles with engines of similar power. Sometime after release, Ford’s design team discovers The Terminator’s engine is actually overperforming, doling out something closer to 425 horsepower. Wow! For a less mighty vehicle, this could be troublesome and maybe even a little dangerous. If an engine is too strong for the design of a car, it can push the body beyond the physical thresholds it can bear. Not this bad boy, though. The engine block is made from cast iron and its frame is reinforced. The Terminator is capable of holding up while delivering a significant boost of extra power.
Collector and Classic Car Insurance for Less
Whether you own a Ford Mustang Cobra or another iconic collectible, protect your valuable ride for years to come with Classic Auto Insurance. Let us customize a policy to fit your needs. We offer affordable, Agreed Value coverage for a variety of collector, classic and custom vehicles. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can answer your questions and give you a quote on the spot. Call 888-901-1338 or get an instant quote online and see how we can help safeguard your dream car.
