WARNING!!! Beware of the "Predator Cobra"!
Rarely seen, but constantly on the prowl, this Cobra is well Equipped.
Tom Solomon was heavily involved with Shelby Mustangs and Cobras, so in 1983 he
designed and developed a Shelby Equipped Cobra Mustang based on the 1983 fox chassis.
He showed the model to Ford and they loved it. Solomon wanted to call the car
"The Cobra" but Ford
would not agree because it owned the Cobra name.
So Solomon officially named the car "The Predator Mustang", and Ford gave him the
O.K. to produce the cars and sell them through selected
dealers through out the country.
The Predator was made from 1983-1986. There were two factory
locations; Dallas, Texas
and Topeka, Kansas. The premier of the Predator was in 1983. Ford was so impressed
by it that sources say that it inspired the design of the 1984 anniversary mustang.
There were only 8 cars produced in 1983. Five of them were white hatch-backs
with 1965 Shelby stripes, which read, "G.T. 350", 2 read "G.T. 302", and 1 read "G.T. 302H."
Each car was equipped with a Cobra engine dress up kit with its unique
small oval
Cobra air cleaner, a Monte Carlo bar, a four point roll cage, a walnut shifter knob, 14 x 6.5
aluminum Shelby 8 spoke wheels with 3 bar knock off spinners, SVO competition
suspension, functional hood scoop, competition hood pins & cables and 3:27 axle ratios.
There are two aluminum G.T. 350 or G.T. 302 badges on each vehicle; one is located
at the rear of the vehicle on the hatch, off
set to the right. All of these cars were
assembled in Dallas, Texas.
The 1984 Predators are equipped the same as the 83 models except for the following
modifications, a 1965 Shelby Mustang hood scoop was installed and made functional.
All the stripes and aluminum badgers were modified to say, "G.T. 302." Some cars had
Kamei ground effects. This was the premier of the ultra rare Predator Convertible & "R or
Race Models." The R Model could be ordered with any
engine modifications,
a fiber glass hood and with one of two axle ratios; 3:73 or 4:10.
Two types of Predators were offered this year and they were: a standard Predator,
which had the word, "Predator" on the valve covers, steering wheel, spinners and
on the grill, and the other is a "Predator Cobra" or a
Predator with the
Cobra package, which had the word "Cobra" on the valve cover, the air cleaner and
on the fenders under the Cobra snake. The R-Model came in both types. The color choice
was the same as the Mustang G.T. There were approximately 125-130 cars built in 1984.
The 1985 models has the same equipment as the 84 models, but a new wheel was added to
remind one of the magnum 500 wheel. It was a 4 spoke Enki Wheel. The R-Models were
continued and came standard with a fiber glass hood, under drive pulleys, LeMans stripes,
140 MPH speedometer, a side stripe that said "G.T. 302 R" and 3:73 or 4:10 axle ratios.
Other SVO or Motor-Sport parts could be ordered with the car such as Cam,
harness seat belts, etc., which was installed
only after the car was titled. Some dealers
offered an American Racing wheel and a BBS type wheel, also a Walnut 3 spoke steering
wheel was a Dealer option. There were 135-140 1985 models built.
There were no R models in 1986. Some cars have no LeMans stripes and some did, but
they all have side stripes. A few of them have stripes like a 67 G.T. 500 "Super Snake".
There were only 17-23 cars built that year by Solomon America. All of the cars built from
1983-86 have a Solomon America Modification I.D. plate, which is located on the inner
fender on the drivers side under the hood. These tags are very similar to the Shelby
Mustang tags and are often used to distinguish a real Predator from a fake one.
So as one can see, this car could be obtained as radical as the buyer wanted it. It was,
and still is highly sought after. The Predator was the first Shelby-equipped Mustang based
on the fox chassis and has been followed by many others trying to keep the
Shelby Legend alive!!!
This car really has the air of a Shelby Mustang, and was created in memory of the Shelby.
From 83-86, this was the most lethal late model Mustang that one could buy, and was
copied by some. So, we feel that it was only just, for this car to keep the Legend and
tradition alive, even though it does not carry the Shelby name because it was definitely
inspired by the Shelby Mustang!
ORLANDO HAYWARD HOUSTON, TX |
