Locked and loaded with a wide body kit and more power, the Terminator is back to torch the streets and the track in this exclusive rendering.
Even after 20 years, there’s still talk about a special muscle car from Ford: It was a hero model that saved the Mustang’s reputation after Ford overrated its horsepower numbers for the 1999 SVT Cobra.
This was, of course, the 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Terminator. As J.D. Power explains, it gained its Schwarzenegger-esque nickname during its development so it could “Terminate” the competition. And Terminate it did with a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 rated at 390 hp but actually produced closer to 420 hp.
While better gear ratios, bigger injectors, and other improved components contributed to its secret sauce, the fact that Ford offered this superior muscle car at an affordable price put even more pressure on its rival, the Chevrolet Camaro.
Today, there’s an even more fearsome and beefier version of the Terminator for the taking: it’s a restomod that HotCars’ artist Timothy Adry Emmanuel has rendered for our enjoyment with a crazy wide body kit and more power under the hood.
A Newly Pumped-Up Terminator Ready To Take Down Any Camaro
Emmanuel has updated the 2003 Terminator Mustang while retaining its signature silhouette. He’s added a body kit to beef up the car’s profile and give it a more futuristic look.
At the front, the headlights are modern wrap-around rectangular LEDs and the parking lights have been dropped to below the bumper. Louvers and a larger cowl induction hood hint at a larger and fiercer engine, perhaps something like a 5.2-liter GT500 V8 engine with an Eaton supercharger. This setup makes 760 hp in stock form and up to 1,000 hp with a few simple modifications.
More clues of this car’s power are installed at the back. Take, for example, the rear wing that rivals one found on a Formula 1 car. Then there are the enormous, exaggerated deck diffusers below the rear bumper that match the rear wing’s outsized proportion.
Between the two elements, this restomod would have incredible downforce which, in turn, would improve handling in an already ridiculously fast car.
The 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Terminator Holds Its Value
If you dream of building a cool restomod like Emmanuel’s, it’s helpful to know what a Terminator is currently worth. According to the TrueCars.com website, you can buy one for between $25,000 and $60,000, depending on mileage, condition, and modifications.
As compared to early 2022, prices for the 2003 Terminator Mustang have shown a slight uptick, which is a testament to its value continuing to increase over time. If you covet the version that helped this Camaro-beating muscle car return to its former glory, the price seems well worth it for a ride this fun.
