New - Looking for Grandpa's car

FindingGrampsCar · Dec 28, 2025

Hi all, buckle up for a story! My grandfather purchased a '94 Cobra Pace Car new. I have great memories as a small kid cruising in the back seat of his car. He unfortunately passed a couple years back after retiring to Highland Village in Texas and now I'm on a mission to find it. It was #956 of 1000. I was at a loss until recently; I came across a list with all the VIN #'s and was able to get the VIN for the car (#1FALP45D4RF161642) and discovered via CarFax it is still in Texas outside Dallas, I believe in the Rockwall area. The car was originally from New Jersey. I am interested in purchasing it but if whoever the owner is doesn't want to part with it I completely understand. I would like to at least see it again and be considered if it were to every be put up for sale. Feel free to pass along my email, [email protected], if you happen across it. Thank you for all your time. I attached a picture of me with him and the car (wish I took a better picture of the photo ) in my childhood home's driveway.

(Also, if there is another place you would suggest to post this to get the message out I'd appreciate it too - thanks!)

ttocs · Dec 28, 2025

this would be the time to check facebook on some mustang pages. They are not great for motor/maint advice but locating things they can do.

Bronco2Fan · Dec 28, 2025

Cobra specific forums, Cobra pace car forums also. Lots of them, just Google them.

badass98svt · Dec 28, 2025

Post it on SVTP
Also, id remove that email before the scammers get it

Slice · Dec 30, 2025

If you know the VIN and the state I'm thinking you should be able to get the owner's name if you go to the motor vehicle office. You might have to pay a small fee.

MyLittlePony · Dec 31, 2025

You’re in luck. There used to be a red Mustang registry with a TON of 94 pace cars on it. The server has been offline for like a year now, but I still have access to it. His VIN isn’t listed, but it does appear like it was manufactured in March of 1994.

Also… …my mom lives in Highland Village too, in Castlewood. Though we did briefly live in a rental in Highland Shores back in the 90s. I live in Flower Mound, and frequent the area regularly, as well as at various Mustang events in the area. I will keep an eye out for the VIN. Last one I saw was in October in Ft Worth. It wasn’t his though. Different VIN. Rockwall is a bit too far for me though, but that doesn’t mean our paths won’t cross. Though, I have NEVER seen a pace car driven on public roads before. I would’ve noticed.

Slice said:
If you know the VIN and the state I'm thinking you should be able to get the owner's name if you go to the motor vehicle office. You might have to pay a small fee.

$2, but that was 20 years ago. That’s how I got my first car back. It had sat abandoned for 8 years. A guy ran a vehicle inquiry on it because he wanted to buy it, but no one knew who the owner was. I was the last registered owner, having totaled it in 98. I ended up getting a lost title for it, and reclaiming it. CARFAX was clean AF.

I will have to see what that request form is called later today. DMV loves me, because I bring them all kinds of forms they’ve never even seen before.

Also, Public Data. For like $20, you can look up the VIN yourself to see the exact registered address.

Have you contacted NTMC? (North Texas mustang club). They may be of some help. Also if anyone plans on attending Mustang Week in Galveston this April, keep an eye out.

mustangsalle1010 · Jan 29, 2026

FindingGrampsCar said:
Hi all, buckle up for a story! My grandfather purchased a '94 Cobra Pace Car new. I have great memories as a small kid cruising in the back seat of his car. He unfortunately passed a couple years back after retiring to Highland Village in Texas and now I'm on a mission to find it. It was #956 of 1000. I was at a loss until recently; I came across a list with all the VIN #'s and was able to get the VIN for the car (#1FALP45D4RF161642) and discovered via CarFax it is still in Texas outside Dallas, I believe in the Rockwall area. The car was originally from New Jersey. I am interested in purchasing it but if whoever the owner is doesn't want to part with it I completely understand. I would like to at least see it again and be considered if it were to every be put up for sale. Feel free to pass along my email, [email protected], if you happen across it. Thank you for all your time. I attached a picture of me with him and the car (wish I took a better picture of the photo ) in my childhood home's driveway.

(Also, if there is another place you would suggest to post this to get the message out I'd appreciate it too - thanks!)
View attachment 48125

Please update us when you find it. I got my 98 GT convertible back and I’m almost done restoring it. Best wishes to you!