A new batch of Ford Mustang Cobra Jets is on the way to racers

The 40th Anniversary 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet, announced about a year ago, has been such a huge success for Ford Racing that the company will build a 2010 model, available later this year.

Like the '08 CJ, just 50 examples of the turnkey race car will be built, the minimum number to homologate the car for competition in National Hot Rod Association events. An '08 Cobra Jet won its inaugural event in the Stock Eliminator Class in February at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., just as the original 1968 Cobra Jet did.

The '08 CJ sold out in less than two weeks after being announced, and a Ford Racing exec said that there are numerous requests for the 50 cars that will be built. Despite the large number of inquiries, you can still get your name on the list by contacting your local Ford dealer. The base price for the 2010 CJ is $75,000 with deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of this year.

The company plans to announce final specifications closer to the build date, but according to Brian Wolfe, head of Ford motorsports for North America, the plan is for the 2010 Cobra Jet to have a 425-hp, 5.4-liter supercharged engine from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog, but with an option to upgrade to an estimated 475-hp aluminum block engine.

Likewise, the six-speed manual transmission available in the '08 Cobra Jet will be standard, but an option to upgrade to the five-speed Liberty manual transmission or a race-prepped automatic transmission will be available. Other 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet upgrades include an NHRA-certified roll cage and lightweight racing brakes.

"I've said from my first day in this job that I wanted Ford Racing to continue to be a 'racer-friendly' organization," Wolfe said. "That's why we take great pride in being one of only two car companies worldwide that builds ready-to-race cars and sells them as part of our performance-parts offerings."

By Roger Hart