Ford Mustang Cobra Jet rumbles off the assembly line
Click above to view the first Cobra Jet coming off the assembly line
The name "Cobra Jet" may remind some of an unfortunate Sam Jackson film, but to Mustang and drag racing enthusiasts it refers to the latest addition to the pony-car family, the Mustang FR500CJ. The drag-racing version of the outgoing Mustang was unveiled at SEMA just a few months ago and is already rolling off the assembly line as the latest model in the Ford Racing line-up.
Featuring a modified 5.4-liter V8 with cold air induction, the Cobra Jet features stainless competition headers, upgraded rear axle and driveshaft, drag-optimized adjustable suspension, and unique wheels wrapped in slicks. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or three-speed automatic, and the interior is augmented by racing buckets and short-throw shifter (on the manual version). The vehicles, which receive unique VINs since they aren't street legal, are delivered in body-on-white, with louvered rear window panels. The package presents an affordable and straightforward racing platform for those seeking domination of the quarter-mile. Check it out in the galleries below.
Gallery: Ford Mustang Cobra Jet assembly line
Gallery: Ford Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet
[Source: Fuel Slut via WCF]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jman 12:04PM (1/07/2009)
Is there a price sheet on this? Might be cheaper to go buy a v6, strip it down and do your own gt500 deal.
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MemphisNET 12:16PM (1/07/2009)
Exactly. Or better yet, get a 2-3year old V6 rental for 7-9k and strip it down. All the parts needed/worth keeping won't be drivetrain, interior or electrical anyway.
Mike 12:30PM (1/07/2009)
You can also buy a body in white from the Ford Racing catalogue with a legal cage already in it for the price of a V6.
Jj 12:35PM (1/07/2009)
I believe that the price is about 70K. So obviously, you can go racing for much less than that by building your own car from a standard Mustang.
The point of this car was not to provide a cost effective vehicle for the racing masses. Racers are among the most diehard enthusiasts that there are, those with money are going to pay a premium for special vehicles for the same reason that anyone that buys more vehicle than they need. Emotion.
tjon901 12:37PM (1/07/2009)
For the class this car would most likely be in the cars have to keep the factory correct block and heads.
Jay Evans 1:29PM (1/07/2009)
These 50 cars (Ford built) are approved by NHRA for their class. Any car you build would not be.
Shawk 12:47PM (1/07/2009)
This is a pretty cool, I REALLY like it in white. (I like most cars in white.) I think Ford did a good thing by making this car. Anyway if you get a chance check out my blog.
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Joe 12:47PM (1/07/2009)
Check out picture #6 - (all of the body-in-white shells w/ #1 FR500CJ display)
What's all the way in the back on the left with the hood up?
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moyoi 12:50PM (1/07/2009)
Nice eye! It's a Pursuit or F6. Are those for US sale too??? Please
http://www.fpv.com.au/fpv-range/pursuit/overview.aspx
Joe 1:18PM (1/07/2009)
I wish it was an F6 or Pursuit (logged a few hours on the Ford.au and FPV site myself - left weeping and went out in the garage to try and find consolation with my `06 Mustang GT), but note the Pursuit has a cab/bed config and whatever that is in the pic is unibody...
Is it an older bodystyle maybe? Cab looks boxier and a little more compact...
I just know enough to get me in trouble and piss the people off that really know lol ;)
moyoi 1:25PM (1/07/2009)
http://digiads.com.au/carsales/used-cars/car_ad_photos/digiads_car_ads_91184_1.jpg
I think I found it, 1998 HSV Maloo III (note the handle shape and the unibody)
Joe 3:19PM (1/07/2009)
Too many Joe's on this thread ;)
Moy, Next Question:
Why would there be a Holden vehicle in the Ford Racing garage ??
Let's see, this has steel wheels on it, looks like an old Holden... and the hood is up. And there's something that looks like an older F-150 in front of it to the left.
I love these "behind the curtains" photos. Gets the ticker tickin'
I think I'd give my left nut to be on the FRP payroll ;)
Joe 12:48PM (1/07/2009)
That's correct, tjon...this car was built to be legal for a certain class, hence, why it's not supercharged out the ass, and it doesn't have 750 HP, like it's capable of.
I'm just waiting for the first person to come in here and bash it for only have a three-speed automatic instead of a seven-speed, or something like that. OMGSOLIDREARAXLEWTFWTFWTFPORSCHEBMWINDEPENDENTREARENDBS.
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Mike 12:56PM (1/07/2009)
Oh, it's easier than that. Ford Mustang Cobra Jet? WTF? Do you get a free GI Joe action figure with that?
010111 1:06PM (1/07/2009)
gah! this wasn't here when i made my comment. i swear!
Sean S 1:12PM (1/07/2009)
I was thinking of bashing more in the line of:
Why are they building this??? Shouldn't they be making cars that appeal to the mass public like a Focus that gets 100 miles to the gallon?? You don't see [Insert Japanese company name] wasting money on things like these. No wonder Ford is going under!!11
Murray 1:16PM (1/07/2009)
....but according to the left everyone wants a Prius! ;)
010111 1:05PM (1/07/2009)
really? i thought for sure someone by now would make a massively ill-informed comment about it only having a 3-speed automatic.
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Stumpy 1:36PM (1/07/2009)
So... How does it handle the corners?
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Stumpy 3:07PM (1/07/2009)
Oh come on now... who gave me the low rating?
What... can't a fellow (old) Mustang Owner make a joke?