-- SALE PENDING -- By 1969 Ford was raising the ante on performance, offering bigger and more powerful engines than ever. Performance was a big focus, with Ford wanting to dominate all motorsports, from stock car racing to the drag strip. As a result, one of the most legendary Ford engines was created, the 428 Super Cobra Jet. Using similar top-end components as the standard Cobra Jet, the SCJ, as it is known, used a strengthened crank shaft and connecting rods balanced specifically for racing. Though the official horsepower rating was the same as the standard 482 Cobra Jet at 335, the difference was obvious behind the wheel. The SCJ made its way into only a handful of models across the Ford lineup, but most notable was the Mustang Mach I.
If being a factory equipped 1969 Mustang Mach I 428 Super Cobra Jet wasn’t special enough, this particular example was produced in part of a 50-car run by Ford to help promote the NHRA’s acceptance of the engine in Stock and Super Stock drag-racing classes. What made these 50 cars so different is that they were all built as no-frills drag-strip warriors, optioned with only what they needed to go fast. That is what caught the attention of Barrett-Jackson Showroom Manager Jeff Catlin when he came across the car as a damaged, stripped-out shell in need of saving. With a combination of equipment like drum brakes, Drag Pack rear axle and close-ratio 4-speed transmission, it was clear this Mustang was purpose-built. Being such a unique example, a no-expense-spared restoration was started by Catlin – who has personally owned and restored countless class Mustangs – to bring this Mustang back to its original glory. A mix of NOS and top-quality reproduction body panels were used to replace the damaged metal before the body was repainted in the original shade of Gulf Stream Aqua. A date-code-correct 428 SCJ engine was sourced and rebuilt by Keith Craft using a correct carburetor, distributor, intake and exhaust manifolds. As a nearly complete roller, the car was handed off to John Brown of Thoroughbred Restorations to finish the final assembly and ensure every detail was correct. Now complete, this Mustang has affectionately earned the nickname “Cinderella,” transforming from a forgotten shell of its former self to the Belle of the Ball.
