Color-changing exterior finishes have been a popular aesthetic novelty over the years. Ford offered a unique finish on a limited number of 2004 Mustangs called “Mystichrome,” and the color gave off hues of purple, black, brown, along with many combinations in between.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Smithville, Tennessee. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Up for sale is a 2004 Mystichrome Cobra convertible that I purchased about five years ago,” the listing begins. Car had always been in Texas until I purchased it while in Oklahoma and moved it with me to Tennessee. There were 495 Mystichrome convertibles produced, and I have included a copy of the original window sticker, the Marti report, and a couple documents regarding the car from Ford.”
This Mustang comes from the car’s fourth generation, known by the “SN95” chassis code. The platform came out in 1994 on a modified version of the popular Fox-body architecture. A refreshed design launched in 1994 with more angular styling that Ford called “New Edge.” Power for this pony car from 2004 comes from a 390-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The seller states that recent work includes replacement of the tires, battery, clutch, and top.
As for that vivid exterior: The Mystichrome paint job was first used on 1996 SVT Cobra models and later offered on a limited number of 2004 cars. The science behind it has to do with “ChromaFlair” light interference pigments. The tiny particles have multiple layers of film and act like a miniature prism, changing the color appearance depending on ambient lighting conditions and the viewing angle. Interestingly enough, this paint was applied in the same manner as other more basic Ford colors. Even the interior has color-shifting properties in the upholstery, using the same ChromaFlair pigments.
According to a document from the Ford Special Vehicle Team, this car is unit #447 out of a build of 1,896 total cars. Some Mystichrome Mustangs were built as coupes, and others as convertibles.
This well-kept convertible shows just 84,225 miles on the odometer. “I am a car collector and enthusiast and have always cared for this like a caretaker should,” the listing concludes.
The asking price is $25,900 for this rare, psychedelic Mustang.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
