Abandoned MystiChrome Terminator Rides Again

Thanks to the hard work of one enthusiast, we can see what the modified Terminator world was like in the early 2000s.

It doesn’t seem like 2008 was all that long ago, but it’s been over 15 years. Back in those days, the Terminator Cobra was one of the hottest rides on the street. It still is, but the competition – and the aftermarket – have caught up in a big way.

The Terminator remains unmatched, however, when it comes to presence – especially when you’re talking about the wild color shifting Mystichrome paint found on just 1,000 Cobras in 2004.

Ryan Bailey recently posted this spectacular Mystichrome Terminator Cobra in a Facebook group called “Low Miles No Miles.” As he explains, this car was driven and modified between 2004 and 2008. Then, it was dropped off at a shop for another round of upgrades. Unfortunately, this never took place and the car sat with just 16,000 miles on the odometer. In 2022, Bailey was able to purchase the car and began to restore the dusty, disused Cobra to its former glory.

Back in the Day

All of the fluids were changed, as was the serpentine belt. The spark plugs were replaced, and the fuel injectors were cleaned and tested. Amazingly, all of the engine seals are factory original, as is the clutch.

The Cobra was modified in period with a 2.3-liter Whipple supercharger, 60 lb/hr fuel injectors, new upper and lower pullies, a full exhaust, a JLT intake, and a tune. These upgrades may seem pretty mild by 2025 standards, but in 2008, they were enough to make you king of the street.

After a deep cleaning – including removal of the seats – and a paint correction, this Mystichrome Cobra looks better than ever. As a finishing touch, Bailey added an era appropriate set of True Forged wheels. However, he has his heart set on some CCW Classics. Our favorite part is the CD collection that remained in the six-disc changer all these years.

We’re talking Linkin Park, Audioslave, Chevelle, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smithereens, and yes, even Nickelback. Bailey states that he kept them in the CD changer “to add to the driving vibe.” We would do the same. What were you bumping in your Mustang in 2008?

Photos: Ryan Bailey via Facebook

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.
He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.
In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.
You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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