1978 Ford XC Falcon ‘Cobra’ 2-Door Hardtop Coupe (#349) powered by a 4.9L 302cui-4v V8 Ford ‘Cleveland’ small block engine matched to a C4 3-speed floor-shift automatic transmission and driven through a limited slip rear differential with 2.92:1 gearing.

               Genuine XC Cobra #349
               Original Survivor 
               No’s Matching 4.9L 302-4v V8
               C4 3-spd Auto Transmission
               Limited Slip Differential
               Power Steering
               Power-Assisted Front Disc Brakes
               Air Conditioning

Background:  In 1978, Ford Australia unveiled plans for an all-new Falcon, dubbed the XD, that would be released in 1979. Unlike the current XC, the new model would be offered only as a 4-dr sedan or station wagon, meaning the two-door XC Hardtops of 1978 would be the last of that design. When final production of the XC Hardtop at the Broadmeadows Assembly Plant was ending in March 1978, more than 400 body shells were left unsold and Ford Australia faced a dilemma of how to shift them. The Ford design team elected to capitalise on Allan Moffat and Colin Bond’s crushing 1-2 finish at the 1977 Bathurst 1000 by creating a road car with a “Shelby Mustang” look that could be homologated for racing, while at the same time offering enthusiasts the opportunity to own a street-legal version of Moffat’s race car. The first prototype Falcon Cobra was built in late April 1978 and production began that same July. The rest is history, as they say …… the Cobra package proved to be a real hit with buyers and all 400 cars sold out within days of their release to the Ford selling dealer network. These XC Cobra’s became a poster car for that generation of Ford fans in the late seventies.

All Falcon Cobra’s were based on the Falcon “GS Rally Pack” and fitted with twin exhaust, tinted rear window, clock, tinted band laminated windscreen, special seat trim, front and rear spoilers, ‘Bathurst Globe’ (15″ x 7″) alloy wheels and the obvious paint and decal set. Other RPO items fitted as standard equipment included power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes, power steering, 4-bbl carburetor, 4v heads and limited slip differential.

To this base specification for the Cobra, there was also non-RPO equipment that was unique to the 400 Cobra’s built that was called ‘Option 96’ and included the following: –

* Front spoiler (vacuum formed)
* Rear spoiler (fibreglass)
* Paint code Z605, ‘Sno White’ exterior colour with ‘Bold Blue’ accent coloured stripes and with Blaze Blue pinstripe tape ½” wide between the Sno White and Bold Blue accent colour
* Colour-keyed bumper bars to match the exterior striping
* Bodyside protection moulding were deleted
* Quarter panel (dummy) air scoops were deleted
* Tinted backlight (rear window)
* New tyre placard
* Interior trim code B – Black/Blue woollen cloth seat trim striped to match exterior paint/stripe treatment (blackwood style Onkaparinga cloth) using existing seat trim style
* Cobra name decal mounted on the boot lid (‘Falcon’ badge above RH tail light)
* Cobra snake decal fender mounted
* Die-cast plinth carrying Cobra name decal mounted on glove box door. Plinth identical to that used with the Ride and Handling badge. The Cobra name decal for the glove box door is sequentially numbered between 001 and 400

This Cobra was build #349 and also featured factory air conditioning and was exported to the US in 2003 and resides near Seattle in Washington State on the Pacific North-West of the US, and has always been garaged. The car is unrestored and in original condition with all body panels intact apart from minor paint work on the driver’s side panels, which was a result of being “keyed” early in its life. The interior is original and is in flawless condition. The car is totally rust free, with clean floors and plenum.

This Cobra is still wearing its original NSW registration plates from 1978 together with the original Owner’s Manual and Build Sheet. Current odometer mileage shows only 120,869 kms.

This 1978 Ford Falcon is #349 of 400 XC Cobras produced for the Australian market, and it was sold new by Jubilee Motors in Five Dock, Sydney, New South Wales. It is one of 199 that were specified with a 302ci V8, which here is linked to a three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential, and air conditioning and power steering were also optioned from the factory. Blue stripes accent the white paint, and other highlights include front and rear spoilers, 15” alloy wheels, and four-wheel disc brakes. The car was imported to the US in 2003 and acquired by the current owner in 2024. An Edelbrock carburetor and intake manifold were added under prior ownership along with a Wade Camshafts custom-ground camshaft and long-tube exhaust headers, and the front suspension was recently refreshed and the tyres were replaced. This Falcon Cobra is now offered on dealer consignment with a build sheet, an Australian Classic Car History Services report, extra parts, historical documents, framed display pieces, and a Washington title in the seller’s name.

Allan Moffat and Colin Bond’s 1-2 finish at the 1977 Bathurst 1000 inspired Edsel Ford II to commemorate the win with a Shelby-inspired special edition. The Falcon Cobra represented the final iteration of the Falcon two-door hardtop and was offered as production of the XC variants came to an end. A total of 400 were built with sequential serial numbers, and all were finished in Sno White with lower bodywork and over-the-top stripes in Bold Blue with Light Blue edging. The scheme carried over to the front spoiler, tail panel, rear spoiler, and bumpers, and Cobra fender decals and decklid logotype were also included in the package.

This car wears New South Wales license plates with its initial registration number, and details include twin hood scoops, painted mirror housings, roll-down quarter windows, a concave rear window, and dual exhaust outlets. Still wearing its original paint, with the exception of a passenger side rear quarter touch up, this one is one of the most original examples left.

Bathurst Globe 15” alloy wheels are wrapped in 205/70 Hankook Kinergy ST tyres with 2024 production date codes. The car was optioned with power steering, and four-wheel disc brakes were standard equipment. The front control arms and linkages were recently replaced, and the removed parts will accompany the car.

The cabin features front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in black cloth with blue stripes, and they are joined by a black dashboard, center console, door panels, and carpets. Appointments include air conditioning, a push-button radio, and three-point seatbelts for front occupants. The Clarion cassette head unit mounted to the right of the steering column does not work.

The 302cui-4v V8 has been fitted with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and Performer intake manifold as well as a custom camshaft from Wade Camshafts and tri-Y long-tube exhaust headers that flow into a dual exhaust system with a crossover pipe. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential.

The car runs and drives well with zero issues. The original cam, intake manifold, valve covers and carburetor were replaced and are included in the sale. The original spare wheel & Avon tyre are still in the trunk. Also in the trunk is the original jack, rare jack bag and floor mat, all of which are in excellent condition. The original factory headlight covers, although not shown in the photos, are also included.

The Australian Classic Car History Services report indicates that the car was built in September 1978, and lists factory equipment and identification numbers. Framed limited-edition prints are accompanied by a binder of records and other items. A removed intake manifold and Carter Thermo-Quad carburetor are included in the sale along with a Ford-branded cassette player, additional parts, and tools.

So, there you have it, an original unmolested surviving Cobra with its no’s matching driveline – a rare opportunity indeed!! Please note that our sale price is a landed price here in Australia, including GST.