If you get lucky, you might run into some rare hardware at a local car show. There is no guarantee, however. For those seeking a look at some unobtanium, the best car show might not be a car show at all. You can peruse the rarest rides at an auction. Thanks to their popularity, auctions are popping up all over the country, and even if you don’t plan on bidding, you can go and scope out some cars you might never have seen before.
While digging through the roster of cars for sale at the Mecum Auctions stop in Kissimmee, Florida, we discovered a lineup to stoke the passions of any blue-blooded fan of Ford performance machines. Not only could you bid on one of each era of the SVT Cobra R—1993 R, 1995 R and 2000 R—but there are a pair of low-mile GT350Rs, a pair of Ford GTs and a slew of other desirable Fords.
To provide the new Cobra with a link to racing, Ford SVT also produced 107 versions with the Cobra R Competition Package.—Mecum Auctions
“Fewer than 5,000 street 1993 Cobras were built in that final year of the original Fox-body Mustang,” Mecum said of the ’93 R. “To provide the new Cobra with a link to racing, Ford SVT also produced 107 versions with the Cobra R Competition Package, an upgrade designed to homologate high-performance equipment for racers competing in the IMSA Firestone Firehawk Grand Sport and SCCA World Challenge series.”
While many 1995 Cobra Rs saw competition duty, others were purchased for their collectability value. —Mecum Auctions
“At $37,599 MSRP, it was also the most expensive Mustang to date. Regardless, the 250 available units sold out in just 10 hours,” Mecum says. “All were white with tan cloth interior. While many 1995 Cobra Rs saw competition duty, others were purchased for their collectability value. Such is the case with this Cobra R, which has been maintained in factory-original condition with 1,900 miles.”
With 1,600 miles, this 2000 Cobra R represents the special high-performance Mustang as it was delivered from the factory.—Mecum Auctions
“With 1,600 miles, this 2000 Cobra R represents the special high-performance Mustang as it was delivered from the factory,” says Mecum. “Performance Red with Medium Graphite interior like all 2000 Cobra Rs, the car remains in stock condition with its untouched 32-valve engine, which was beefed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering with a forged crankshaft, Carillo billet-steel connecting rods and forged pistons.”
If you are into more than just vintage SVT hardware, there are plenty of other great Fords to see at this auction. The event runs from January 6-15, 2017 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. For more information, visit the event site here, but if you can’t make it to the event, it will air on the NBC Sports Network, so check your local listings here.