Just Checking
Because the BBK-sourced '99 Cobra tested for this article was slightly modified, we went to the archives to consult Motor Trend's last naturally aspirated Mustang Cobra test to see if there were any meaningful differences. The previous test was an '01 Cobra from Ford's press fleet, and the acceleration numbers are essentially identical to the '99 run in this test, so no worries there. The slalom was definitely slower in the earlier test; that's accounted for by the BBK lowering springs. Likewise, test driver Chris Walton believed the '99 Cobra brake system was suspect, and the '01 test verifies his hunch with stops much more in line with the Bullitt and Mach 1 in this test. No skid pad testing was done on the '01, so those numbers were not available.
CLICK HERE FOR COBRA TECH DATA
Another View
Although I own the Bullitt that was used for this comparo-and I'm quite partial to its subtle good looks-I was impressed with the other two cars as well. Once the dust had settled, it was clear that all three of these Mustangs excelled in specific areas. It turns out the '03 Mach 1 was the clear victor on the quarter-mile with its newly updated DOHC engine. Our representative '99 Cobra was the champ in the slalom, due in large part to its BFG KDW tires and lower ride height. And the '01 Bullitt seemed to have an interesting overall balance that helped make up for its lack of beans in comparison to the Mach 1. In a surprise, the Bullitt also stopped in the shortest distance, even though all three cars have the exact same brakes.
There are a few things to note about each car. The word is out on the street-the Mach 1 is simply a dragstrip hero with cars generally running in the mid to low 13s. It's truly a naturally aspirated Mustang that can run door-to-door with any stock F-body you might come across on the boulevard. Wait until the superchargers start turning up on these bad boys.
The Motor Trend staff kept saying all day that the Bullitt is the best-balanced car of the three and would clean up shop in the slalom. It turns out this theory is accurate as the Bullitt was right on the heels of the Cobra, which was shod with much grippier tires than the Bullitt. In turn, both the Bullitt and the Cobra blew the doors off the Mach 1 on the slalom course. It's clear Ford has oriented the Mach toward being more of a straight-line car than the others, though it still drives quite nicely on the street. The MT crew says if all three cars were on the exact same tires, the Bullitt would leave the other two in the dust with no problem.
CLICK HERE FOR ACCELERATION DATA
CLICK HERE FOR TRACK RESULTS