The Ford Mustang's success in the late '60s was owed in no small part to the engines they were producing. Ford introduced three engines during this period. The first was a 390 cubic-inch 6.4-liter FE, and the second was a 429 cubic inch, 7.0-liter Boss, which was designed to compete in NASCAR races. The third engine to be produced was the iconic Cobra Jet V8 engine which delivered a stated 335 hp courtesy of its four-barrel carburetor.
Ford's introduction of the Cobra Jet V8 helped cement the Mustang's legacy as a true muscle car. The 428 Cobra Jet V8 engine first debuted under the bonnet of a Mustang Mach 1. The Cobra Jet debuted in 1968, but Ford Subsequently added the Super Cobra Jet. The designers did a great job, and the Cobra Jet V8 engine gave the Mustang Mach 1 legendary status in the Pony and muscle car world. So much so that this muscle car had the making to shame European sports cars of the time.
Updated March 2023: We shed more insight on what makes the Cobra Jet V8 engine the recipe for the most desirable and powerful muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. We have updated this article on the iconic Ford V8 and tell you of the prices of Pony cars packing the beastly 428 Cobra Jet engine.
Ford 428 Cobra Jet V8 Is Special For This Reason
Prior to Ford's introduction of the Cobra Jet V8 engine in 1968, the 427 represented its greatest success in the early to mid-sixties, and it was the 427 that was used in Ken Miles's Ford GT 40 at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. This race was given the Hollywood treatment in the highly acclaimed 2019 biopic starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, Ford Vs Ferrari.
The Jet V8 Engine is unique due to its powerful performance and reliability that it has provided for Ford motorcars. The 428 cu-in V8 engine could produce 335 hp, and the performance of the Cobra Jet V8 engine resulted in Ford selling over 10,000 Mustangs fitted with the engine.
The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was special, though, as it is one of only 216 Mustangs that were dually fitted with the Cobra Jet V8 engine and the four-speed close ratio gearbox. As for the Super Cobra Jet V8 engine, only 20 Mustangs Mach 1 were fitted with this engine and the 4.30 Traction-Lok axle combo, and only 9 of them received power steering and front disk brake pads.
The Cobra Jet V8 And Mustang Is A Match Made In Heaven
The Cobra Jet V8 engine was a true behemoth and powerhouse, resulting in one of the most powerful 60s and 70s Mustangs ever produced. The engine was tied with a close 4-speed ratio manual transmission. The Mustang Cobra Jet was fitted with a plethora of performance features, such as a drag pack option, which elevated the engine to a Super Cobra Jet solidified-lifter cams and removable rocker arms.
The aesthetic of the Mustang Cobra Jet V8 was what you would expect from a muscle car. Still, thanks to the Jet V8 engine, it finally delivered the power and performance that matched Mustang's exterior design.
The 428 Cobra Jet V8 Will Always Be A Performance Beast
During the '60s and '70s, Ford put the Cobra Jet V8 engine in Falcons and Thunderbirds as well, apart from the Mustang. The most revered are the Ford Cobra Jet V8 Mustangs due to their triumphs in several drag races. The Ford Cobra Jet engines rivaled the high-output blocks from Chrysler and General Motors. The Cobra Jet engine performance elevated the Mustangs of that era from Pony to Muscle car status.
Ford stated the performance of the Cobra Jet V8 engine at 335 hp and 440 lb-ft torque. Still, most experts agree that this was probably understated for insurance purposes (reduced hp was considered par for the course within the automotive industry in the '60s and '70s). Most independent experts placed it closer to 400 hp.
The Super Cobra Jet V8 engines were released as part of the drag pack. They were very similar to the standard Cobra Jet V8 engine, except that they had stronger internals. Again, Ford stated the official power figure of 335 hp, but the real hp was probably closer to 435 hp.
The Ford Cobra Jets' domination came to an end in the '70s due to emissions regulations and energy concerns, resulting in Ford introducing more environmentally friendly engines at the dawn of the '80s. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Cobra Jet badging in 2008, Ford introduced eight new models right up to the 50th anniversary of Cobra Jets in 2018.
How Much Is A Classic Mustang Cobra Jet Worth?
As the most coveted muscle car to house the Cobra Jet V8, the late 60s and 70s Ford Mustangs are one of the most sought-after Pony cars. As per Classic.com, the first-gen Mustang Cobra Jet currently sells for an average of $96,000, with the highest bar set closer to a quarter million dollars. And the other popular Pony with the Cobra Jet V8, the 1960s Mustang Mach 1, sells for an average of $70,000. But this one is more desirable as the top sale figure comes close to half a million dollars.