Photos: Mecum Auctions

Ford was looking to take over Mopar’s dominating role in stock class racing when they showed up at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals. The “Ford Drag Team” arrived with a fleet of 428 Cobra Jet-equipped Mustangs and five sponsored drivers – Gas Ronda, Jerry Harvey, Hubert Platt, Don Nicholson and Al Joniec.

Based on the 428 FE engine, the Cobra Jet used different cylinder heads with enlarged intake ports. Heavier connecting rods and an uprated crankshaft also distinguished the engine. Officially rated at 335 hp, reports suggest that the actual output exceeded 400 hp. Ford executives had been worried about high HP ratings affecting insurance rates, but their understating output had a secondary consequence.

The Cobra Jet Mustangs raced in C/SA, SS/E, SS/EA classes, all of which used lbs per advertised horsepower as a class criteria. Mustangs made it to the finals in all classes entered, of course. Al Joniec won both his class – defeating Hubert Platt in an all-CJ final – and the overall Super Stock Eliminator title. Platt, who became head of the East Coast Ford Drag Team, would go on to win Super Stock Eliminator at the NHRA Winter Championships (Miami-Hollywood Dragway) in February, 1969.

Building on those kinds of very public successes, Ford introduced the Super Cobra Jet engine during the 1969 model year. Updates included tougher-yet connecting rods, modified crankshaft, flywheel and crankshaft damper. An external engine oil cooler was also added.

To get the SCJ engine in a 1969 Mustang, you had to order the optional, $147.60 ‘Drag Pack’. Ford described the option’s content as, “Includes traction-lok differential, 3.91 or 4.30 high ratio axle, and the following 428 CID engine modifications: engine oil cooler, cap screw connecting rods and modified crankshaft, flywheel and damper. Available only with 428 CID 4V Non-Ram or Ram air engines. Not available with other optional ratio axles or air conditioning.”

When ordered in the Ram Air version, the engine was assigned the famous “R” engine code. Non-Ram Air engines were Q-code. The CJ’s cylinder head improvements came alive when fed from a Ram Air system. On street or strip, this model appeared to be the pinnacle of Ford Performance through the muscle car era. Ford Drag Team’s western Captain, Ed Terry, would campaign one during the 1970 season, continuing to dominate the competition. Terry’s R-code 428-CJ Super Stock Mustang sold at auction in 2003, for $29,160 – certainly not a generous amount, even for five years ago.

Significantly restyled from the previous year’s model, the 1969 Mustang was lowered by a half inch, the body was longer and wider, with particularly aggressive front end sculpting. It was the only year that the Mustang would use four headlights. As well, the windshield angle was flattened by 2.2 degrees yielding an even sleeker look that worked to perfection on the fastback body style. Both radial tires and intermittent windshield wipers became available as optional equipment for the first time.

With Ford’s emphasis on that year’s Mach 1 Mustang, as well as the BOSS variants, production of the SCJ Mustang was relatively limited, with just 52 R-code coupes built in 1969. On delivery, they were somewhat plain to look at. Painted wheels with ‘dog dish’ hub caps were standard. Owners often upgraded to the styled steel wheels for that year, or went aftermarket – usually to Torque Thrust models.

The particular car shown here is one of just eleven built with the 4.30 axle and C6 automatic transmission. The numbers-matching car is completely original, save for cylinder head replacements in 1970 and a more recent concours-quality paint job. The car is slated to go to auction in January at the Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee, FL, event. The five-day auction runs January 26 – 30. Additional information is available on the company’s web site.