Hardtop Hub
XC Cobra
XC Cobra
Identifying a Cobra
Below are the main points to look for when inspecting a Cobra.
Decoding the VIN:
The VIN for XCs will be in the following format: JG65UM00001K (At least 2 genuine Cobras were stamped with JG65UB VINS, which was human error during the stamping process).
J - Australia
G - Broadmeadows Victoria
65 - Falcon 500 Hardtop
U - 1978
M - July
12345 Serial Number
K - V8
The Cobras were actually built in July - September 1978 in batches, likely starting with the 302 cars, then the 351, so not in order of their allocated VIN. 302 cars will usually have a compliance date of 8/78 whereas the 351 cars are mostly 9/78.
Decoding the compliance plate
The compliance plate of the XC Cobra looks like this and should contain the following:
Below are the main points to look for when inspecting a Cobra.
Decoding the VIN:
The VIN for XCs will be in the following format: JG65UM00001K (At least 2 genuine Cobras were stamped with JG65UB VINS, which was human error during the stamping process).
J - Australia
G - Broadmeadows Victoria
65 - Falcon 500 Hardtop
U - 1978
M - July
12345 Serial Number
K - V8
The Cobras were actually built in July - September 1978 in batches, likely starting with the 302 cars, then the 351, so not in order of their allocated VIN. 302 cars will usually have a compliance date of 8/78 whereas the 351 cars are mostly 9/78.
Decoding the compliance plate
The compliance plate of the XC Cobra looks like this and should contain the following:
​
Model: 18613 (XC Falcon 500 Hardtop)
Engine: P (302 4 barrel)
or T (351 4 barrel)
or T (351 4 barrel)
Trim: B (Black) All Cobras from 2-31 featured the Scheel KBA 90018
All Cobras from 32-400 feature the distinctive black vinyl with blue cloth inserts (Onkaparinga material)
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All Cobras from 32-400 feature the distinctive black vinyl with blue cloth inserts (Onkaparinga material)
​
Transmission: L (manual)
Paint: Z605 - Special Order code only used on the Cobras to signify the white with blue stripes.
or B (automatic)
The XC Cobras were initially all painted Bold blue, then masked up (or rumour has it that they used rubber mats) and then laid on the Sno white. Finishing the edges with the blaze blue pin stripping.
To this base specification, the non-RPO equipment unique to the 400 Cobras built was called 'Option 96' and included the following:
- Front spoiler (vacuum formed - Bathurst units were fibreglass)
- Rear spoiler (fibreglass)
- Paint code Z605, Sno White exterior colour with Bold Blue accent colour stripes and with Blaze Blue pinstripe tape ½-inch wide between Sno White and Bold Blue accent colour.
- Colour keyed bumper bars to match exterior striping
- Bodyside protection moulding deleted
- Quarter panel (dummy) air scoops deleted
- Tinted backlight (rear window)
- 15" x 7" Bathurst Globe alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts (XB RPO)
- ER70H15 Textile radials (XB RPO)
- New tyre placard
- Interior trim style Black vinyl only. 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 (variation for Bathurst units)
- 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.
All Cobras were based on the Falcon 500 GS Hardtop. The Regular Production Options (RPOs) fitted as standard equipment were:
- Four-wheel disc brakes
- Limited Slip Differential
- Dual exhaust system
- Tinted Banded laminated windscreen.
- Four-wheel disc brakes
- Limited Slip Differential
- Dual exhaust system
- Tinted Banded laminated windscreen.
To this base specification, the non-RPO equipment unique to the 400 Cobras built was called 'Option 96' and included the following:
- Front spoiler (vacuum formed - Bathurst units were fibreglass)
- Rear spoiler (fibreglass)
- Paint code Z605, Sno White exterior colour with Bold Blue accent colour stripes and with Blaze Blue pinstripe tape ½-inch wide between Sno White and Bold Blue accent colour.
- Colour keyed bumper bars to match exterior striping
- Bodyside protection moulding deleted
- Quarter panel (dummy) air scoops deleted
- Tinted backlight (rear window)
- 15" x 7" Bathurst Globe alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts (XB RPO)
- ER70H15 Textile radials (XB RPO)
- New tyre placard
- Interior trim style Black vinyl only. 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 (variation for Bathurst units)
- 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.
Identifying the bodyshell:
Cobra 1 & 32-400 were fairly straightforward upgrades of its existing XC Falcon, same shell as other XC Falcon 500 GS V8s. With the only changes being cosmetic as mentioned above.
All T code 351 manual cars, as with none Cobras were fitted with an axle anti-tramp rod on the left-hand side only.
Also note that all T code cars have the 9" bump stop plate and additional bracing spot welded to the floor above the front of the diff, whereas the P code 302 cars just had the small bolt on rubber bump stop to suit the BW diff (Being late build XCs they also had the welded bump stop plate previously only found on 351 cars).
All T code 351 manual cars, as with none Cobras were fitted with an axle anti-tramp rod on the left-hand side only.
Also note that all T code cars have the 9" bump stop plate and additional bracing spot welded to the floor above the front of the diff, whereas the P code 302 cars just had the small bolt on rubber bump stop to suit the BW diff (Being late build XCs they also had the welded bump stop plate previously only found on 351 cars).
The V8 hardtops have a larger dropped plate under the engine cross member, whereas 6 cyl cars have a flat plate there.
V8 6 cyl
V8 6 cyl
The Option 97 Cobras 2-31, however, got the following (direct from the internal dealer bulletin):
" Rear wheel houses to be reworked in Plant as on previous Bathurst units (maximum distance between wheel arches to be no greater than 45 inches)
" Spring tower reinforcements to be fitted in Plant as on previous Bathurst units.
" Modified No. 2 cross member (to be fitted in Plant). Modification to be carried out by Geelong Plant.
" A fibreglass (McWilliams sourced) in lieu of vacuum formed front spoiler is to be used. This part will be painted and fitted by P & A Garage.
" Front seats are to be Scheel model KBA90018 (all Black) purchased fully assembled but reworked by Scheel to provide ADR compliance and to suit Falcon seat tracks. (Details to be advised separately). Scheel seats are to be fitted in Plant with Falcon sedan front bucket seat tracks.
" Rear seat is to be trimmed in a combination of Black Corduroy/Cashmere.
" Rear wheel houses to be reworked in Plant as on previous Bathurst units (maximum distance between wheel arches to be no greater than 45 inches)
" Spring tower reinforcements to be fitted in Plant as on previous Bathurst units.
" Modified No. 2 cross member (to be fitted in Plant). Modification to be carried out by Geelong Plant.
" A fibreglass (McWilliams sourced) in lieu of vacuum formed front spoiler is to be used. This part will be painted and fitted by P & A Garage.
" Front seats are to be Scheel model KBA90018 (all Black) purchased fully assembled but reworked by Scheel to provide ADR compliance and to suit Falcon seat tracks. (Details to be advised separately). Scheel seats are to be fitted in Plant with Falcon sedan front bucket seat tracks.
" Rear seat is to be trimmed in a combination of Black Corduroy/Cashmere.
The following items will be fitted by P & A Garage as on previous Bathurst units:
" Transmission oil cooler
" Strut braces
" Idler arm brace
" Electric fan kit
"Heavy-duty radiator
" Hood scoop (Hole in the bonnet is 450mm round)
" Transmission oil cooler
" Strut braces
" Idler arm brace
" Electric fan kit
"Heavy-duty radiator
" Hood scoop (Hole in the bonnet is 450mm round)
Not listed in the official documentation, but clearly evident on Opt 97 cars, are the following items:
"Long-range 128-litre fuel tank. The spare wheel was mounted on the right-hand side of the boot cavity on an additional welded bracket, due to there being no recess for the spare wheel on top of the big fuel tank.
"Long-range 128-litre fuel tank. The spare wheel was mounted on the right-hand side of the boot cavity on an additional welded bracket, due to there being no recess for the spare wheel on top of the big fuel tank.
Identifying the factory parts and features
XC Cobras were as per all other Falcon 500 Hardtops, in that they all were fitted with GS features. These include the black rubber-rimmed steering wheel with the brushed alloy detail. Full instrument dash with 6,000 rpm tacho and 220kph speedo. Note the small "8" at the bottom of the tacho showing it has been calibrated for V8.
​
Verifying the details with Ford
(This can no longer be done by calling Ford on 133673 and asking for an Old Vehicle report. However, this service is hoped to return in the future).
All Cobras should have the following options:
03 – Seat Belts (Mandatory)
11 – Laminated Windscreen Tinted Band
45 – Limited Slip Differential
53 – 4 Wheel Power Disc Brakes
67 – Dual Exhaust System
96 – Cobra
XC Cobras were as per all other Falcon 500 Hardtops, in that they all were fitted with GS features. These include the black rubber-rimmed steering wheel with the brushed alloy detail. Full instrument dash with 6,000 rpm tacho and 220kph speedo. Note the small "8" at the bottom of the tacho showing it has been calibrated for V8.
​
Verifying the details with Ford
(This can no longer be done by calling Ford on 133673 and asking for an Old Vehicle report. However, this service is hoped to return in the future).
All Cobras should have the following options:
03 – Seat Belts (Mandatory)
11 – Laminated Windscreen Tinted Band
45 – Limited Slip Differential
53 – 4 Wheel Power Disc Brakes
67 – Dual Exhaust System
96 – Cobra
Vehicles built with options as per the combinations at the top of this page will have the following options.
06 – Power Steering
40 – Integrated Air Conditioning
46 – Power Operated Windows
Production figures: 400 Total
400 Sno white with Bold Blue stripes and Blaze blue pinstripes
Breakdown:
001 Promo car 351 auto
002-031 Bathurst (Option 97)
032-041 351 manual A/C P/S
042-080 351 manual A/C P/s P/W
081-200 351 auto A/C P/S P/W
201-300 302 manual
351 351 manual
301-360 302 auto A/C P/S
361-400 302 auto A/C P/S P/W
(Be sure to check the hardtop registry for details on many individual Cobras, this registry is constantly being updated and is a user-fillable database, so if you have a Cobra or know of one, please add it for us. Click this text to link to the registry)
Production figures: 400 Total
400 Sno white with Bold Blue stripes and Blaze blue pinstripes
Breakdown:
001 Promo car 351 auto
002-031 Bathurst (Option 97)
032-041 351 manual A/C P/S
042-080 351 manual A/C P/s P/W
081-200 351 auto A/C P/S P/W
201-300 302 manual
351 351 manual
301-360 302 auto A/C P/S
361-400 302 auto A/C P/S P/W
(Be sure to check the hardtop registry for details on many individual Cobras, this registry is constantly being updated and is a user-fillable database, so if you have a Cobra or know of one, please add it for us. Click this text to link to the registry)
400 Sno white with Bold Blue stripes and Blaze blue pinstripes
Breakdown:
001 Promo car 351 auto
002-031 Bathurst (Option 97)
032-041 351 manual A/C P/S
042-080 351 manual A/C P/s P/W
081-200 351 auto A/C P/S P/W
201-300 302 manual
351 351 manual
301-360 302 auto A/C P/S
361-400 302 auto A/C P/S P/W
(Be sure to check the hardtop registry for details on many individual Cobras, this registry is constantly being updated and is a user-fillable database, so if you have a Cobra or know of one, please add it for us. Click this text to link to the registry)
Cobra Paint info
(images courtesy of Cobra Car Club of Australia website)
Body first painted Bold Blue
Then masked off as per measurements show in these images.
Then painted Sno White
Then finally a 12mm Olympic Blue pin stripe was added to the edge of the Bold blue.
Cobra Paint info
(images courtesy of Cobra Car Club of Australia website)
(images courtesy of Cobra Car Club of Australia website)
Body first painted Bold Blue
Then masked off as per measurements show in these images.
Then painted Sno White
Then finally a 12mm Olympic Blue pin stripe was added to the edge of the Bold blue.
Then masked off as per measurements show in these images.
Then painted Sno White
Then finally a 12mm Olympic Blue pin stripe was added to the edge of the Bold blue.
