COPO 428 SCJ Mustang????

[69Shelby]

Just got back from picking up my new toy-I know-I know-Its a Mustang but dont close the thread just yet. Its a Mustang ordered similar to a COPO. Its a 428 Super Cobra Jet 1970 Mustang Sportsroof-Plain Vanilla-Not a Mach 1 or a Shelby. Its a 0T02R which makes it a plain fastback with the Ram-Air 428. Its Black on Black and a 4-speed also. Its got the W code axle (4:30) which was the stoutest Ford had in 1969-70. The car only has 7800 miles on it due to the car being drag raced I am told since day one. It was special ordered in Maryland and was campaigned all over the Eastern Seaboard in 70-71 with "CROWD PLEASER" painted in yellow letters on the rear quarters about 10" in height per letter. The drivers name was on the doors, and the sponsor-Speed Unlimited of Maryland on the fenders. The car had a shaker hood and was raced with Cragars up front and the steelies with Slicks on the back. Its one of 5 built this way I am told (Eminger and Marti Reports). My question to you gentlemen is-Do any of you have any recollections, pictures, or know of any magazine articles of that era on this car. Dont know to restore it in Drag trim or to showroom condition. Engine and tranny are long gone and Yes, I know, Its not a Chevy but this is something I know Musclecar fans can appreciate. The Boss 429 that was around was not very streetable and all the Ford street and drag racers knew the 428 CJ was where it was at for them. Cmon-Somebody had to give the L-72 and ZL-1 boys a run for their money!!!! Thanks for the space and any input you may provide!!

[SS427]

I do remember seeing an article in "Mustang" magazine about 6-7 years ago pertaining to these special order cars and yes, they were extemely rare and FAST. I will look and see if I have it. Unfortunately, the Ford stuff is at the bottom of some 2000 magazines for obvious reasons.

[Belair62]

Try Joel Naprstek at [email protected]
If there is a man who can help out with Ford drag racing its him.Great guy....I've been bugging him for Pontiac stuff...there is a great new book out about factory stock racing but I forgot the darn name of it....maybe someone can take a peek and see if the 428 made it there...

[SS427]

Well I was close. Fabulous Mustangs and Exotic Fords December 1992, page 10. It's a '69 Mustang notchback with a 428 SCJ, HD CJ C6 auto, Le Mans rods, shaker hood, 4:30 locker and is a Drag Pack car.

Not your car but rare none the less.

[Fhakya]

I remember reading a great write up on a white coupe matching your description. I recall it having steel wheels and dog-dish hub caps w/ a drag pack option and a 4 speed. This article was within the last 4 years (as I remember where I was living when I read it)...in one of the Ford specific rags. Sounds like a kick ass car! Got a link to some pics of it?

-Mark Holman

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

That writeup of the white one was in MCR a couple of years ago, awesome car!
M

[Charley Lillard]

Cool Car... I have a 65 Shelby GT350 but Shhh, don't tell anybody at this site. I might get ridden out of town.

[Chevy454]

Don't worry, Charley, we won't say anything...I just finally coaxed dad into getting rid of our '66 Shelby, which was our lone F**D car.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Charley;
Is it one of the Supercharged ones? I have my eye on one!
M

[Stefano]

69Shelby,
Sounds like an awsome muscle car. I too enjoy Super Cars from other mfgs. I have been a member of SAAC
for years. I have a 68 GT500 KR as well as a 1964 F-100 with a powertrain from a 1970
Torino SCJ. (2800 pounds and 500hp)

One of the reason that the COPOs were even allowed to exist(built) was due to the racing success of the 1968 428SCJ Mustangs.

Historically there are many interesting parallels between Don Yenko and Caroll Shelby. (Let's save that for another thread.)

My opinion is that the COPOs and SCJs are not the same type of vehicles,historically.

While ,the SCJ you mentioned is a rare and desirable Muscle Car/Factory race car. Anyone off the street, who wanted one, could simply order it by checking off the appropriate boxes, on the local Ford Dealers order sheet. Ford had no power to weight ratio or cubic inch restrictions.

The COPO Super Cars were not supposed to exist. They exceeded GMs Power/Weight ratio and Cubic inch/ platform restrictions.

A factory original 428 SCJ produced approx 400 Gross HP. A 1969 COPO L-72 made approx. 450 HP ,showroom original.(Both underrated by the factory).

While I do not want to deminish the significance of the SCJs, they are no more or less a Super Car than a Ram Air Firebird or L-78-89 Camaro or even 440 Barracuda.

Your car may have a special and significant race history, as it probably lined up against many of the mentioned Super Cars.

Remember ,these are my own opinions. Just my two cents. Thanks for your interesting post.



[Edited by Stefano (12-05-2001 at 10:32 AM).]

[Charley Lillard]

Nope.. But it is a early one # 76.

[69Shelby]

Sorry guys, dont have a web page but I will try to post some pics of the car shortly. Thanks for all the input!! I really thought I was gonna be "booted out" by posting a thread with a Ford on it!!!