Summary

One of 20 lightweight 135-code Mustangs powered by a 428ci R-code Cobra Jet V8 engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. Fully restored by Randy Delisio's Performance and Restoration. Hemmings Muscle Car of the Year finalist in 2013.

Details

This 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Lightweight is listed in the 428 Cobra Jet Registry and was also featured in Hemmings in 2018. According to the previous owner, Gene Turnage, he raced the car at Music City Speedway in C-Stock for about a decade. Around 1978 the Mustang was built into a Super Stock car for Jeff Velde. The restoration was completed by Randy Delisio of Lyons, NY. The engine was treated to the works by Cobra Automotive in Wallingford, CT. This is one in 50 special-production Ford Mustang Cobra Jets produced in 1968 to qualify for the NHRA Stock Racing classes and 20 were lightweight cars, as indicated by the DSO 844661, which meant no sound-deadener and no seam sealer was used to save on weight. This car is one of those 20 and was delivered new to Russ David Ford in Covina, CA. They were scheduled for assembly at the Dearborn, MI, assembly plant on December 30, 1967. The VINs were serialized consecutively, starting with 8F02R135007 and ending with 8F02R135056. All were painted Wimbledon White and equipped with a black vinyl interior, heavy-duty 4-speed manual transmission, manual drum brakes and a 3.89:1 rear-axle ratio (even though the door tags indicated a 3.25:1). The cars were eventually distributed for sale to a small number of dealers in the U.S. and Canada. Several made their way into the hands of race teams, and two - numbers 135050 and 135054 - were part of the contingent of six cars that introduced the 428 Cobra Jet to the world at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals. This Mustang was a Hemmings Muscle Car of the Year finalist in 2013.