Tickford’s Mustang ‘Cobra’

In the ’07 Bathurst 1000 the Owen Kelly/Matt Halliday Ford Performance Racing Falcon BF wore a white-with-blue-stripes retro livery reminiscent of the Falcon XC Cobra released in 1978. A little over ten years on and the same team (known now as Tickford Racing) decked out its Mark Winterbottom/Dean Canto Falcon FG-X entry in a similar Cobra-inspired theme.

But just as Winterbottom’s 2018 Bathurst 1000 Bottle-O Falcon Cobra livery was a nod to the past, in recognition of the XC Cobra’s 40th anniversary, it also ushered in a brand new Ford muscle coupe as Tickford took the wraps off its new Cobra-themed TSV-535R Mustang road car package.

If the TSV-535R looks a treat in its iconic Ford ‘Cobra’ colours, the latest Tickford Mustang package is a lot more than just a pretty face.

Under the bonnet, Tickford’s recalibration of the ECU takes the 5.0-litre V8 out to 400kW (or 535 horsepower – hence the TSV-535R name) and a formidable 632Nm of torque.

The TSV-535R sits on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres (275/35R20 fronts and monster 295/35R20 rears) on unique seven-spoke wheels (10-inch fronts, 11-inch rears) and runs a Wilwood ‘big brake’ kit, with six-piston front callipers and four-piston rears. Suspension is three-way adjustable (height, damper and rebound) coil-over from H&R.

The TSV-535R package starts with a white 2018/2019 Mustang Coupe GT. In addition to the performance upgrades it includes additional front and rear chassis bracing, a carbon bre aero kit, build-speci c Alcantara and nappa leather interior, a carbon bre/leather steering wheel – and not forgetting those trademark Cobra blue stripes.

“The TSV-535R is inspired by several historically signi cant cars in the Ford line up,” Tickford Racing co-owner Rod Nash says, “and we are excited to present it and add to the legacy that cars like it have laid out before.

“The extensive upgrade list included with the vehicle is wildly impressive, and I commend the work our team has done. We bleed blue at Tickford. The TSV-535R gets that blood pumping, and we can’t wait to put all 400kW of it on the road.”

It comes with a three-year/100,000 kilometre Tickford driveline warranty (plus a 12-month/20,000km Tickford parts warranty). Other elements of the car would be come under Ford’s ve-year guarantee.

Each TSV-535R Mustang is sold with an individual build plaque. Pricing is yet to be determined but will be in the vicinity of $38,000.