2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

With the current hot Ford producing 550hp, and looking as good as it does, you would be forgiven if you have completely forgotten about the 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra.

Introduced in 2002, it came in complete with a DOHC 4.6-litre cast-iron V8, with a roots-type supercharger helping it produce 390hp and 390 lb ft of torque.

But, as with a few other high performance Fords, those horsepower numbers would prove a bit convservative.  Many Cobras were showing numbers north of 400hp when taken to the dynos.  All this meant that it could do 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and go past the quarter mile in the mid- to high-12 second range.

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The 390hp engine meant that the SVT Cobra could really take the fight to its competitors - the then LS1-powered Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Trans Am.  In its time it proved to be a tuner's favourite as well, mere changes in boost or chip-tuning would result in healthy increases in power.  The aftermarket really did love the 2003 Cobra, ways to personalize performance and looks were endless.

The interior isn't that great though, but interestingly enough the 2003 Cobra did have independent suspension all-round, while not even today's Shelby GT500 does.  Whether that translates into a well-sorted driving experience by today's standards is left for you to decide.  And with  several sub-60000 mile examples going for less than USD 18,000, it's not that expensive to find out either.