Return of the Cobra Jet!

[mockingbird812]

Return of the Cobra Jet!

Hemmings:
Muscle Cars
Cobra Jet strikes again

Ford is hoping to recreate the CJ magic 40 years later with a new NHRA-legal race car — the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang.
As the story goes, a mechanic working at Tasca Ford in East Providence, Rhode Island, blew up the 390 in a brand-new 1967 Mustang GT while flogging it, and replaced it with a 428 Police Interceptor engine. The result was a car that made the disappointing 390-powered Mustang look and feel like it was tied to a tree stump.

After much arm twisting, Bob Tasca convinced Ford to install 428s in Mustangs and thus the 1968 Cobra Jet was born. The first CJs were factory lightweight drag cars driven by a team of top drag racing gun slingers at the ’68 Winternationals in Pomona, California. The Mustangs swept the Super Stock field, and a legend was born.

Ford is hoping to recreate the CJ magic 40 years later with a new NHRA-legal race car — the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang! The Cobra Jet (FR500CJ) is a factory-built race car (serialized but no VIN), available for order from any Ford dealer as a Ford Racing part.

The car’s vitals include: * A 5.4-liter Cobra Jet engine with a Cobra Jet cold air kit and stainless steel long tube headers;
* A/C delete;
* A 6-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission with SFI bell housing;
* Ford 9-inch rear axle assembly;
* One-piece driveshaft with a single-hoop driveshaft loop;
* Cobra Jet rear control arms and anti-roll bar, Ford Racing adjustable shocks and a special drag race spring kit;
* Cobra Jet wheels 15- x 4-inches (front), 15- x 10-inches (rear).

For more photos and a couple of short movies of the new CJ in action, check out www.fordracingparts.com.
- By Mike McNessor


Where have I seen this idea before? Wonder if Dodge will make anything of this?

I can see it now, acid dipped body panels, spring-less seats, thin glass, etc, etc.

[Salvatore]

I believe Jack Roush has something to do with this also. They will be legal for A/S or AA/S. I heard that rumor at Maple Grove a couple weeks ago. Somebody has one and is already in the 9's. I am sure they have been developing this for a while now, especially if Roush is involved.

[1970Bluel78]

I think Bob and Bill Glidden ran against each other in these this weekend out in Vegas....How cool is that !!

[Chevy454]

I think it's *this* coming weekend...the Gliddens are out in Vegas with their 10.5" cars for one of the Street Car events...evidently FoMoCo seized an opportunity for some free press.

[1970Bluel78]

Chevy454, Thanks for the correction. I was not really sure when it was but someone mentioned it to me. I'll ck around and see what happens when they run.

[1970Bluel78]

I heard Billy took the old man. Bob missed 2nd gear !