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Mustang II King Cobra
Steve and Mary Tonkin Refine Their Lost Pony
by Mike Dieffenbach
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The Mustang II faithful have been coming to Carlisle for over a decade. While their presence on the showfield is often overlooked, there remains a core of enthusiasts who have repeatedly made the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals an annual pilgrimage.
Such is the case of Wilkes Barre resident Steve Tonkin, 43, who owns an award-winning 1978 Ford Mustang II "King Cobra". Along with his wife Mary, the tried and tested "MII" owner is in the process of restoring another '78 King Cobra and a '78 Mach 1. He also has tow other Mustang IIs to use for parts.
For the past 13 years, Tonkin has been a senior technician for a Ford dealer. Prior to that position Tonkin worked in body repair and paint. His involvement with cars spans nearly 30 years. He still works on Mustang's, though now they are of the fourth generation type.
While he admires all Mustangs, he owns only IIs. Even if they are the "lost pony," Tonkin stands by his favorites.
"Some people love it and some laugh at it, calling it a glorified Pinto," he says. "Some older folks come up and say 'I used to have one of these rubber bumper Fords.' But more and more young folks are very interested and ask plenty of questions...it's getting a better response in the past five years or so, even with the first generation owners."
Tonkin purchased his King Cobra from a private owner in 1982. Back then it was his "chick magnet" and used as a second car. The interior was in poor shape and had to be replaced. The rest of the car had suffered many "backyard modifications" prior to Tonkin restoring it. The motor was rebuilt and returned to original specs save the 30 thousandths bore of the cylinders. An original intake and carb were installed, factory exhaust manifolds, brakes, rotors, drums, calipers and rear brake cylinders. The dual rear dual exhaust was custom made to resemble an original. It was also necessary to replace the hood and repaint it, then apply a NOS hood decal. The paint is still 90 percent original and it stall has some minor dings.
The Mustang II has won 18 different second and third place trophies over the years. But it has won only one first place in local shows. Tonkin points out that at most shows it must compete against first generation Mustang.
Tonkin's '78 King Cobra is rare because only 4,971 were produced. Add to that the fact that many dealerships threw Mustang II parts away in the mid-80s. The NOS supply is scarce, as are the reproduction parts due to lack of demand.
"The front suspension was also a favorite of the street rod guys," Tonkin says. "Thousands of Mustang IIs died for their front ends."
Tonkin says he'll continue to refine and detail his Mustang II collection and still come to Carlisle, which he calls the "highlight show of the summer." After all, he reminds Ford enthusiasts, as Mustang II is a Mustang, too!
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