In 1967, Ford set out to dominate the SS/E class of NHRA drag racing with the introduction of the '68 Cobra Jet Mustang. It was a simple body in white with a slightly better version of the 428-inch FE, a four-speed, and some factory-installed drag racing goodies like dual-electric fuel pumps and a trunk-mounted battery. In the Apr. '68 issue of Car Craft, Managing Editor John Raffa brought one out to Pomona for some photographs and drag testing. With Don Nicholson at the wheel, the car ran a best time of 11.67 at 119 mph--not bad for an iron-headed FE. Now Ford is at it again.
The idea for another Cobra Jet Mustang was hatched after the introduction of the FR500C, which was built by Ford Racing to compete in the Grand Am Cup. Both the success of the road racing Grand Am car and the popularity of the street-based Mustang made the drag racing version of the car the next logical step. At the time, the Lightning truck and the '03 to '04 Cobra already had supercharged engines, so the guys at Ford Racing were looking toward a similar engine. They also knew about the impending '07 GT500 street car and its supercharged 5.4L, so they waited for a derivative of that engine to become available.
The Cobra Jet starts with...
The Cobra Jet starts with the V-6 Mustang interior and the radio and heater controls are deleted with a block-out panel. The unique 5-inch Cobra Jet tach is added with a water temp, oil pressure, and vacuum/boost gauges. The airbags are deleted as well. The big button on the dash is added to start the car.
Between the hatching of the idea in 2005 and the introduction of the GT500 in 2007, there was a lot of buzz about the 40th anniversary of the Cobra Jet in 2008. Ford Racing committed to the Mustang drag car build, and the name Cobra Jet was a perfect fit.
Amazingly, in April 2008, the Cobra Jet plan became a reality at Ford Racing headquarters, and by December of that year, Ford Racing was delivering cars.
The initial build number was set at 50 to fit the NHRA minimum and to keep the car exclusive. To assemble the car, the body, fascia, instrument panel, and major subassemblies from Automotive Alliance Industries (AAI) in Flat Rock, Michigan, were shipped to the Ford Racing assembly facility in Livonia, Michigan. The engine was assembled separately at the Romeo Engine Plant in Romeo, Michigan, and also shipped to the assembly facility. In Livonia, the rollcage and engine compartment block-off plates were welded in place, then the body was repainted and sent back into a special assembly line composed of four assembly areas to complete the car.
The car was built specifically for the NHRA Stock Eliminator class and cannot be used on the street since it doesn't have a VIN. The horsepower-to-weight rating of 425 hp to 3,240 pounds makes the car fit into the AA/S class. The 50 cars were sold out within three days of the June 2008 official announcement. Because they are off-road only, they were sold through the Ford dealers' parts departments. To get the cars, the dealer had to sign a contract to get them delivered and then sell them individually for $69,995.
At this time, all 50 Cobra Jets are in customer hands and at least four will be at the Winternationals in Pomona, California, for racing. By the end of this year, the plan is to have a Cobra Jet compete in all seven divisions of the NHRA. Check one out in person if you can.
Want To Clone One?
Why don't you buy a Mustang GT and build one yourself? We've seen '05 Mustang GTs for as little as $12,500 on eBay. Let's say you got a car loan for $11K with $1,000 down. That would be about $250 to $300 per month for 60 months. Then you could buy a supercharger from Ford Racing, seat covers, a shifter, and one of those Cobra rear medallions and have your own 550hp Cobra replica for a fraction of the cost of the new stuff--and it would be street legal as well. Ford Racing offers all the parts to get it done, and it's cheaper than building a '66 Chevelle. Just a thought.
 The Cobra Jet will be equipped...  The Cobra Jet will be equipped with a six-speed transmission from the GT500. Two will be equipped with a C4 auto. |  Because the wipers are deleted,...  Because the wipers are deleted, a secondary firewall is removed, making more room in the engine compartment. The remaining holes for the A/C and the heater are then welded shut. |  This is the standard graphics...  This is the standard graphics package. It is essentially a body in white with the Cobra Jet block letters and flaming snake graphic. This is a car waiting for you to apply your own graphics. |