03 cobra w/ sub 5k miles (undercarriage pics)

Hey fellas-

Want your opinions on something here- I’ve been here in the car game for a while and purchased many cars but this one has me a little confused.

One parts of me is like damn. This is clean. Another part while looking at the brackets and seeing the aluminum oxidizing makes me question it.

The car in question is all original and has ultra low mileage. I want this thing to be as close to as new as possible and if I have to put some work in; that’s ok.

What are your thoughts ?







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Where is the car located?

In a northern state where it snows. It has under 3k miles. It hasn’t been winter driven.


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It looks pretty clean from what I can tell. Those parts are nearly 20years old and if they have been exposed to moisture, humidity and different climates then those parts can oxidize

Looks like non-climate controlled storage, pretty common in low mileage cars.

My car doesn’t look that good underneath. I see no issues.

03cobra#694 said:

My car doesn’t look that good underneath. I see no issues.

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I take that back after zooming in. Still looks good IMO.

Looks like the '01 Cobra I sold last year with ~25k, and to my knowledge, never driven in the rain.
https://www.svtperformance.com/thre...ert-black-tan-tan-1-of-131-26k-miles.1178314/

TK1299 said:

It looks pretty clean from what I can tell. Those parts are nearly 20years old and if they have been exposed to moisture, humidity and different climates then those parts can oxidize

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I do agree. I’m wondering if someone can confirm for me what finish is on the crank pulley cage? Is it raw aluminum ? As well as the two front oil pan bolts/studs.


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Silver95 said:

I do agree. I’m wondering if someone can confirm for me what finish is on the crank pulley cage? Is it raw aluminum ? As well as the two front oil pan bolts/studs.


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I have an 11k mile terminator on the lift in my shop. You can eat off the undercarriage of the car. I’ll try and snap a pic tomorrow and post it, if the server will let me.

My cobra has 16K miles. I wish I had a lift or else I would clean the bottom of the car. But, it still looks brand new.

Cage is aluminum; bare

Not aware of any stainless hardware from the factory so standard bolts.

Little oxidation is normal if not stored in a climate controlled garage


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Lambeau said:

Looks like the '01 Cobra I sold last year with ~25k, and to my knowledge, never driven in the rain.
https://www.svtperformance.com/thre...ert-black-tan-tan-1-of-131-26k-miles.1178314/

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That car was beautiful underneath. I guess I’m a bit paranoid. I just expect new to be new but these cars are two decades old now.

I have a feeling it’s going to be as good as it gets and suspension bits are bound to get surface rust.


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@Goose17 went through a low mileage sn95 and really cleaned it up. He may be able to give you some insight.

MG0h3 said:

Cage is aluminum; bare

Not aware of any stainless hardware from the factory so standard bolts.

Little oxidation is normal if not stored in a climate controlled garage


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Click to expand...

Okay thank you for the clarification. I was under the false assumption the cage was zinc coated.


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TK1299 said:

I have an 11k mile terminator on the lift in my shop. You can eat off the undercarriage of the car. I’ll try and snap a pic tomorrow and post it, if the server will let me.

Click to expand...

How is it in comparison to the pics I posted above ?


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Found this vid Goose made

98 svt said:

Found this vid Goose made

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Yes, thanks! He sent me a pm.

Whatever rust you see... there is more! I learned a lot about corrosion during the above video. My car is awesome now, but it took an insane amount of time to get it there.

If anyone is looking at those pics on a big screen, I am starting to think this thing was driven a few times in the winter.

If you are looking at the pics I posted on the monitor, you’ll see that there appear to be salt stains on the oil pan.


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here is a recent thread of the purchase of a truly pristine and all original low mile terminator. it sold for BIG bucks, but as you can tell in the pics it had been stored and cared for accordingly.

https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/bought-a-new-terminator.1194207/

https://www.cellamotorsnh.com/details/used-2003-ford-mustang-svt-cobra/70740484

although the cobra in this op is all there and looks all original, you can tell that must have spent alot of time outside in the weather, or at least in a place that didn't protect it. brand new cars that sit on the lot exhibit this kind of rust and corrosion on the undercarriage, so some of it is normal but it would have had to happen over a long period of time.