Makes › Ford › Mustang › First generation › Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Super Stock (1968½ Winternationals cars) · Factory competition · 1968 Ultra Rare
Ford
Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Super Stock (1968½ Winternationals cars)
Run of 50 stripped, Wimbledon White 1968 Cobra Jet Mustangs built from 13 December 1967 to be ready for the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona; four ran at the event. Ordinary Cobra Jets are not the candidate
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 50 Built
- Years
- 1968
- Engine
- 7,010 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 428 cu in · converted
- Power
- 250 kW / 340 PSFactory: 335 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
These were the Ford-prepared 1968 Mustang fastbacks that introduced the 428 Cobra Jet to drag racing at the NHRA Winternationals, where Al Joniec won an all-Ford Super Stock final. They came from a batch of 50 lightweight competition cars, serialised consecutively, and were built to homologate Ford's new FE performance engine for NHRA Super Stock.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionspecial-edition lightweight 1968 Cobra Jets built by Ford for the Winternationals season opener (four of them raced at Pomona) | 501,2 | Factory production | Factory reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
In January 1968 Ford sent five Wimbledon White lightweight fastbacks, built without seam sealer or sound deadener and fitted with a 428 incorporating dealer-parts modifications, to the Winternationals. Another lot description counts six Cobra Jet Mustangs sponsored by Ford for the event.
The cars came from a run of 50 competition versions, known as '135' cars after their consecutive serial numbers. Many were passed on to drag racers for further preparation. One example, driven by Phil Bonner as 'Daddy Warbucks', was further prepared and used for match races to promote the new Cobra Jet Mustang.
The Nicholson car, sponsored by Dick Brannan Ford, went out in round one at the Winternationals with a spun bearing and was sold on to local racers who ran it for three years.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Super Stock (1968½ Winternationals cars).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | R-code 428 Cobra Jet with Canadian C8OE J-code heads and GT390 camshaft3 Independently researched |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 7,010 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 428 cu in · converted3 Independently researchedAuction house statement for the '135' cars. |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 250 kW / 340 PSFactory: 335 hp · converted1 Independently researchedRating: manufacturerRating of the 428 Cobra Jet engine as introduced; S1 describes the drag cars as built around it. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Heavy-duty 4-speed manual3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Final drive | 3.89:13 Independently researchedFor the '135' cars. The Nicholson race car (automatic, 4.71:1 Detroit Locker, Holman-Moody engine with 11.6:1 pistons) is a separate, race-prepared build. |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Manual drum brakes3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 5.4 s4 Independently researchedQuoted for the museum's own 'drag pack' example. |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1968 NHRA Mustang GT Cobra Jet (135 Series) Level A MustangSpecs
- built 50 lightweight 428 CJ Mustangs for drag racing
- With 335 hp, the potent 428 CJ
-
2
Celebrating 50 years of Cobra Jets | NHRA Level C
- 50 special-edition lightweight 1968 Cobra Jets built by Ford for the Winternationals season opener (four of them raced at Pomona)
-
3
1968 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Lightweight 'Daddy Warbucks', Kissimmee 2017 lot Level C Mecum Auctions
- R-code 428 Cobra Jet that incorporated Canadian 428 C8OE J-code heads
- 428 Cobra Jet
- heavy-duty 4-speed transmission
- 3.89:1 rear axle ratio
- manual drum brakes
-
4
1968 Ford Mustang 428 CJ Level A Martin Auto Museum
- rated at 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds
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