The Cobra name was first introduced in a Ford line back in 1962 with the Shelby Cobra models of fame and flair. These cars and the 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet, a beast with 335 horsepower, helped establish the Cobra name as a powerhouse on the road.he Cobra name was first introduced in a Ford line back in 1962 with the Shelby Cobra models of fame and flair. These cars and the 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet, a beast with 335 horsepower, helped establish the Cobra name as a powerhouse on the road.