1968.5 Mustang Fastback 428 Cobra Jet ''Tasca Ford''

1968 1/2 R-Code 428ci Cobra Jet Mustang. This is 1 of 1044 rare non-Shelby ''R-Code'' Fastback Mustang.
 
SOLD, Gone in Mur Sur Allier, France!
 
This is a true ''Tasca Ford'' R-Code, making it a rare piece of Ford racing history. This is also an extremely well optionned ''R-Code'' since most of them were ordered ''plane-jane'' for drag racing. It has 52 000 Original miles. This one has received the factory ''High Performance Chassis Tuning'' at Tasca Ford
 
**Link for more photos & video below description**
 
Nut and Bolts Restoration in 2006, 2000miles since. Matches the Marti Report in every aspect.
 
All matching numbers, nut and bolt ''Concours'' quality restoration. Every parts and bits were restored with the same materials and/or processes that were done at the Ford factory in 1968.
 
Let's catch up with the story of this rare and unknown 1968 1/2 428 Cobra Jet Mustang:
In the late 1960's performance had become a major consideration in the youth market, and as the '67 model year wore on, the 390ci ''S-Code'' GT Mustang seemed not so special comparing to the newer big block engines fitted in its rivals at GM and Chrysler.
 
The team at Tasca Ford's dealer in Rhode Island knew this, and they were not pleased. Tasca had been into drag racing for some time with Ford products, and wasn't about to sit idly by while the competition got ahead. The Tasca crew took a '67 Mustang GT coupe that big boss Bob Tasca had been using, and replaced its factory 390 (that one of the mechanics had inadvertently over-revved and blown up) with a police interceptor 428 short-block, topped with a set of 406 cylinder heads, an aluminum police interceptor intake manifold, Holley carb, and some other Ford performance bits. The Frankenstein'd FE engine was strong enough to propel the Mustang to 13-second 1/4mile at 105 mph, better than all the very best factory muscle cars of the time.
 
Tasca took his creation to Dearborn, Michigan to show the folks at Ford, and soon Hot Rod magazine came calling. The story that resulted about the Tasca Mustang prompted readers to engage in a campaign to inform Henry Ford II that they wanted to be able to buy one.
And so it was that Ford Motor Company embarked on a program to create a high-performance 428ci powered Mustang. The result, of course, was introduced in April 1968 as the 428ci Cobra Jet. 
 
Ford rated its new 428 CJ engine at 335 hp, only 15 more than the optionnal 390ci . That made it appear as a marginal improvement on paper, but of course, it became clear that the Cobra Jet engine was seriously underrated, as illustrated by the 13-second 1/4miles being achieved by magazine tests and drag racers coast to coast of the USA. The real output was around 420 horsepower, but Ford rated it at 335 horsepower in an effort to calm insurance agents and con dragstrip rules-makers.
 
All 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jets had beefed-up front shock towers and Polyglas F70X14 tires. Standard 9'' rear end had 3.50:1 gears, with 3.91:1 L and 4.30:1 L ratios available. All 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jets came with GT-level touches, such as front fog lamps and a side "C" stripe and unique to the Cobra Jet, the Blackout ''Ram Air'' Hood.
 
Here's the description of the vehicule:
 
Engine
Matching Numbers 428ci Cobra Jet ''335hp'' / 440tq
Engine Rebuilt by Randy DeLisio in Lyons, NY
Original Holley 4150 4bbl 735CFM 
Original ''Ram Air'' System
Still has the original Smog Pump
Full rebuilt to factory specs
Block Date code: 8A17
 
Drivetrain
C6 Automatic transmission all aluminum casing matching #’s
9'' 3.91 Traction-Lok Rear Axle
 
Body/Exterior
Factory Meadowlark Yellow, showroom quality
Body is free of rust or bondo
Mostly Original Metal
Quarter panels were replaced
Trunk Drop Off Replaced
Undercarriage in perfect condition, repainted in ''red oxide''
Few parts underneath (such as trans crossmember, some suspension components) have minor surface rust, body in excellent shape.
No scratches, no dents, except one very small area driver side near the rear wheel (see pictures).
Gaps between the panels are nice and tight all around
Original ''Ram Air'' Hood
Bumpers & Accessories are NOS rechromed
Chrome Trims all around are NOS and in perfect condition
Original Grille with Fog Lights (GT Package)
C-Stripe (GT Package)
Rubbers and seals are new
 
Interior
Saddle ''Décor Group'' Interior Immaculate condition
Mostly Done with NOS (original) Restored parts EXCEPT for these: Headliner, Seat Covers & Foam, Carpet, Door Panels
Original Center Console
Original Steering Wheel
Original Dash Pad
Original 8k RPM Tach Cluster With Trip Odometer
Original and Functionnal AM radio
All of the Gauges are Functionnal
 
Brakes
Power Brakes
Front Disc brakes
Rear Drum Brakes
 
Suspension / Handling
Power Steering
Heavy Duty Suspension (GT Package)
Bushings, balljoints and tie rods are all new and tight
 
Wheels / Tires
Original GT Wheels 
Goodyear Polyglas F70X14
 
Electrical System
Original ''repro'', fully functional wiring
 
Here's the ORIGINAL vehicule information, from the day it left the factory:
8F02R179903 VIN Decode :
8: 1968
R: Assembly plant, Dearborn, Michigan
02: Body Type, Fastback
R: Engine code, 428ci Cobra Jet, 4bbl, ''335hp''
179903: Sequential unit number
 
Warranty Tag:
63B: Fastback / Luxury Interior / Bucket Seats
W: Paint Color: Meadowlark Yellow
6F: Saddle ''Décor Group'' Interior
16D: Build date : April 16, 1968
11: DSO (District sales office), Boston, Massachusetts
X: Axle, 3.91 9inch Traction-Lok Rear Axle
U: C6 Cruise-O-Matic Transmission
 
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