EXTREMELY RARE AUTHENTIC R-CODE "COBRA JET" FASTBACK ONE OF 1,044 LEGITIMATE "HOLY GRAIL" MUSTANG
I. Correct 428 C.I. "Cobra Jet" V8 II. 4-Barrel Carburetor III. 4-Speed Manual IV. Power Brakes V. Front Discs VI. GT Wheels & Foglights VII. Stunning "Candyapple Red" Paint VIII. Immaculate Black Vinyl Interior IX. Factory Gauges X. Woodgrain Steering Wheel XI. Working Original AM Pushbutton Radio XII. Fold-Down Rear Seat XIII. ONE YEAR ONLY CORRECT FUNCTIONAL RAM-AIR SETUP XIV. Quad-Tipped Dual Exhausts
On April 1st, 1968, a day where Americans usually play pranks on one another, the Ford Motor Company pulled a literal fast one by introducing the Mustang 428 "Cobra Jet" - a street legal drag racer with an intentionally under-rated engine meant to mess with NHRA class rules (and insurance companies). This is a real-deal, authentic 1968 Mustang GT Cobra Jet, one of only 1,044 built. That makes it more rare than both the '68 Shelby GT350 (1,253 produced) and the '68 GT500 (1,140 produced)! This car is positively show-quality in every sense of the term, immaculate both inside and out. Popping open the hood reveals the highlight of this Mustang, a correct 428 C.I. V8 with a number of '68-only features, including Ford's first ram-air intake system fitted to a production car. With that "Cobra Jet" package, Ford promised a number of go-fast equipment that made the car an absolute monster on the dragstrip. These included large-valved 427 heads, a 390 GT camshaft, a cast-iron version of Ford's aluminum Police Interceptor intake, a 735 CFM Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and more. Rest assured, the '68-and-a-half Mustang Cobra Jet became a classic the moment it rolled off the production line, setting routine 11.5 second quarter miles. If you take a second behind the wheel, you'll be left with no surprise as to why this car is as special as it is. The "Toploader" 4-speed manual transmission sitting behind that massive 428 shifts quickly and responsively, allowing this GT to rev freely as it melts its rear tires from a standstill. In fact, this combination of the 428 C.J. and the 4-speed "Toploader" manual transmission was a favorite of dragsters for years, even after the switch to the 429 Cobra Jet in 1969 and 1970. The reason? Every year after the '68-1/2 model was released, the Mustang got heavier, which slowed it down despite the added power. Conservatively rated at 335hp (but rumored to be putting out north of 400 according to period dynos), the CJ 428 was the largest engine ever fitted to a production Mustang at the time. Usually ordered with the Mustang's extremely-attractive 2+2 Fastback style, the Cobra Jet stuck out on America's dragways with its sleek beauty. This one's bodylines are laser-straight, covered in a gorgeous shade of "Candyapple Red" that draws attention wherever the car is. It's contrasted beautifully by a matte black center stripe running down the middle of the hood panel, which was standard on the air-scooped CJs. All production Cobra Jet 428s were equipped with the GT package, and this one comes equipped with all the goods. Along with F70x14 wide-oval tires and a heavy-duty suspension system, the package also included GT emblems on the front fenders, a pop-open fuel filler cap, chromed "quad" exhaust tips, foglights, styled-steel road wheels with GT center caps, and engine dress-up items. That package has a real effect on this Mustang, turning it from a base-model sleeper into a stunning machine that still holds a status as one of the most legendary street racers ever built. Being a fully-restored Mustang, this car's floors, frame rails, trunk, and door jambs are in fantastic condition and are rock-solid throughout. Stepping inside greets you with a show-quality black vinyl interior, complete with factory gauges, an original AM pushbutton radio, and a fold-down rear seat. All of it is in absolutely stunning shape, and taking a seat behind the wheel is almost like stepping into a vintage postcard where it's always 1968. Riding on factory-spec Firestone "Wide-Oval" tires ready to grip the road and hold it tight over its beautiful GT-styled wheels, this '68 Cobra Jet GT looks just like it would have coming off the showroom floor brand-new. And, the minute you turn that key, this Cobra Jet doesn't disappoint. A menacing growl will greet you immediately, followed by a guttural scream whenever you press the throttle. Bolted together in a wholly ready to rock & roll package, the '68-1/2 Cobra Jet Mustang with all of its trappings added up to around $4000 of pure, unadulterated drag-racing muscle. According to MotorTrend, the '68 Cobra Jet was "more a product of revolution than evolution". In fact, it was the Cobra Jet that provoked Chevy's production of the COPO Camaro. All said, the '68 Cobra Jet is an automotive legend that forever changed the direction of Ford's performance cars, and if you're looking for a once-of-a-kind chance to own a genuine piece of automotive and drag-racing history, then this Cobra-Jet Mustang is exactly what you're looking for.
VIN & Door Tag decode as follows: VIN- 8F02R189134 8: 1968 model year F: Dearborn, Michigan Ford Assembly Plant, U.S.A. 02: Mustang 2+2 fastback R: 428 C.I. "Cobra-Jet" V8, 4-barrel carburetor 189134: Serial number; 89,134th 1968 Ford scheduled for production at Dearborn Assembly
DOOR TAG- 63A: Mustang 2+2 fastback I: "Lime Gold" exterior paint 2G: "Ivy Gold" vinyl interior trim, standard bucket seats 06E: Scheduled build date of May 6th, 1968 53: Kansas City, Missouri D.S.O. (District Sales Office) H: Optional 3.50:1 "Traction-Lok" rear axle ratio U: Optional "C-6" 3-speed automatic