Tag Archives: Cobra Jet

Chrome, Stripes And A Sheriff – Classics At The Castle

This weeks Americana Thursday blog comes from Classics at the Castle where a fabulous selection of US cars were on display.

Pontiac Le Mans, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

My favourite was this ’67 Pontiac Le Mans, somewhere around the time this car was built the US show the Monkees hit our shores and even on the steam powered black and white the Pontiac derived Monkeemobile looked like the coolest thing on the planet perhaps bettered only by the crime fighting jet powered Batmobile.

Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

I looked at a Mustang Cobra Jet a couple of weeks ago, it apppears that there are at least two in south west.

Ford Crown Victoria, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

Similarly I looked at a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor not so long ago, this one is said to have served Hurricane Katrina hero Sheriff Bill McGee who commandeered water for citizens in Forrest County, Mississippi from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for which he was charged with interfering with, intimidating and impeding a federal officer.

Cadillac Coupé de Ville, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

In 1957 you would be pushed to find more graceful Detroit sheet metal than that found on the Cadillac Series 62 Coupé de Ville.

Ford Tudor, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

I know at least one of my regular readers is a stripping expert, here are some I found on the back of a ’47 Ford Tudor.

Oldsmobile Cutlass, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

Finally a tail light from a ’72 Oldsmobile Cutlass, not a manufacturer we see much of on this side of the pond.

Thanks for joining me on this “Chrome, Stripes And A Sheriff” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Insurance Special – Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Sportsroof

For the 1969 model year Ford introduced the second body upgrade to it’s popular Mustang range featuring quad headlights, a nearly 4″ longer body on the original 108″ wheel base, new Pony tribar logo and the fastback was renamed sportsroof.

Ford  Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Sports Top, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Ford offered three versions of the Mustang which were aimed with competition in mind, Cobra Jet as seen here,for Drag racers, Boss 302 built for eligibility in the Trans Am Series and BOSS 429 for engine size elegibility in NASCAR.

Ford  Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Sports Top, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Possibly the fastest of which would be the 428 Cobra Jet aimed at drag racers who if they opted for either the 3.90 or 4.30 locking ratio rear axle ‘Drag Pack’ options also got a bundle of performance improvements including an engine oil cooler which replaced the deleted Air Conditioning cooler, stronger crankshaft and connecting rods along with a better balanced motor, meaning more carefully matched parts which was known as the Super Cobra Jet.

Ford  Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Sports Top, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Cobra jet in either form was quoted as a 335hp motor for insurance purposes though the actual figure was much closer to 400 hp. Cobra Jet motors could also be ordered with ram air scoops either attached to the bonnet/hood or ‘shaker’ scoops attached directly to the carburetor intake cleaner.

Ford  Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Sports Top, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

1969 also saw the introduction of the Mach 1 trim level which included distinctive Mach 1 body stripes, steel wheels with bold-lettered Goodyear Polyglas tyres, pop open fuel cap, dual exhausts, competition cable and pin bonnet / hood retainers, matt black bonnet / hood and simulated air scoop as seen here.

Ford  Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Sports Top, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The deluxe Mach 1 interior included simulated wood trim, high backed seats, additional sound proofing and remote sports mirrors.

Ford  Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Sports Top, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Of the 302,971 Mustangs built in 1969, 72,458 were fitted with Mach 1 interiors.

Thanks for joining me on this “Insurance Special” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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