One to Buy: 1968 NHRA Winternationals Super Stock E winning Holman Moody Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet
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Following the conclusion of Ford’s GT programme which ultimately yielded four straight victories at the Mans 24 Hours, Holman Moody (who had built practically all Ford’s US-domiciled racing cars and played a large part in turning the GT into a consistent race winner), increasingly switched focus back to production-based exploits.
Heading into what would prove a famous back-to-back 1968-1969 NASCAR Championship double with David Pearson and the Ford Torino, Holman Moody also created a batch of 428 Cobra Jet-engined Drag Unit cars to contest the annual National Hot Rod Association Winternationals at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, California in February 1968.
Six specially built Mustangs were on hand with each having been meticulously prepared at Holman Moody’s facility just down the road in Long Beach. Here, each car was fitted with a tricked-out high compression Cobra Jet engine, a Detroit Locker rear end, a roll cage, slick Goodyear tyres and uprated anti-roll bars.
Five works drivers were in attendance on the Ford Motor Company’s behalf at Pomona: Jerry Harvey, Gas Ronda, Don Nicholson, Hubert Platt and Al Joniec. They contested various Stock-based classes and, thanks to Al Joniec, Ford secured its very first Super Stock Eliminator title.
On January 17th, one of those half dozen cars prepared for the 1968 NHRA Winternationals is set to go under the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction.
One of a reputed eleven Drag Unit cars built in total to 428 Cobra Jet trim by Holman Moody, this is the ex-Jerry Harvey example used to defeat Hubert Platt in the ‘68 Winternationals Super Stock E final. Apparently, Jerry Harvery was able to buy the car from Ford for $1 as part of his deal.
Today, chassis 8R02S117414 looks to be in superb condition throughout.
