Tragic SVT Cobra R Carnage Shows Why Classics Should Be Driven

For 25 years, a pristine 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R sat untouched in a North Carolina Ford dealership, a tantalizing glimpse of automotive history for anyone passing through Tri-City Ford in Eden. Sadly, that era ended abruptly on December 14, 2024, when a Hyundai Tucson driver, reversing out of control, smashed through the showroom wall and directly into the legendary muscle car.

Images of the aftermath are gut-wrenching for anyone who appreciates the incredibly rare turn-of-the-century Mustang SVT Cobra R. The Tucson is well and truly planted into the passenger side of the Mustang, still wearing its festive Christmas bow – which just adds to the sad scene. Looking closer, we can see the classic one-of-300-produced Mustang’s roof is buckled, meaning it has extensive structural damage. If it can be repaired, it’s going to be expensive.

It Could Have Been Worse But It Could Have Been Better

The Drive found Eden Police Department’s report, which states that the driver lost control while reversing, barreling through the showroom wall before connecting brutally with the Cobra R. According to the report: “[The Hyundai driver] while reversing their vehicle lost control of the vehicle, causing it to reverse uncontrollably and crash through the wall of the showroom floor (…) before striking [the Mustang] as it was parked within the building.”

How exactly someone lost control of a car while reversing to the extent they plow through a wall – glass or otherwise – we don’t know. What we do know is that crazy things happened, and it’s pure dumb luck the Tucson hit an incredibly rare Mustang instead of one of a million Ford Explorers in existence. It could have been worse though, and connected with people as well as property.

A History Lesson:

The 2000 SVT Cobra R was a limited-production street-legal racing beast, stripped down to its essentials – no radio, air conditioning, sound deadening, rear seats, or power windows. Its focus was pure performance: a monstrous 5.4-liter iron-block V8 churning out a claimed 385 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. However, Ford absolutely underrated the engine’s power figures and added Eibach springs, beefed-up anti-roll bars, Brembo brakes, and aerodynamic enhancements. With a top speed of 175 mph, the SVT Cobra R was the fastest Mustang ever upon its debut.

Tri-City Ford reportedly wanted $200,000 for their pristine example that was displayed in its showroom. That’s around twice the price a 2000 example would be expected to fetch at auction, and likely a deterrent price to stop people asking about buying it. According to the car’s CarFax report, it only had 15 miles on the clock and had never left Tri-City Ford after it was delivered.

Related

Affordable Future Classic Cars That Won’t Be Reasonably Priced For Much Longer

The trick is to identify the old cars that will one day become highly desirable collectors’ items – here are our suggestions.

It was clearly a treasured trophy example, and we can’t imagine how heartbreaking this must be for the owner. The police report estimates $30,000 of damage caused specifically to the Mustang. We can only assume that’s a guess, though, as it seems low to bring back a car with frame damage to its original factory standard. Whether it’s considered a write-off once estimates are gathered will depend on its considered value by the insurance company, likely following some intensive negotiation with the owner. Hopefully, the time capsule Mustang can be resurrected, and this episode of its history becomes a tale told rather than the complete ruin of a turn-of-the-century pony car icon.

Related

Here’s Why One Of Ford’s Most Famous Performance Brands Disappeared

Ford’s SVT label sat proudly on the majority of its fastest cars for around three decades before it was axed. This is what happened to the SVT brand.

H/T:


The Drive