1968 1/2 Cobra Jet Fastback - Common Bond
A Pair Of Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs Reflects Two Owners' Mutual Passion
From the January, 2010 issue of Modified Mustang & Fords
By Eric English
Photography by Eric English
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Long-term friendships are most often rooted in a combination of common beliefs, shared interests, and an overall similar outlook on life. Among these, we've observed that a mutual interest in all things automotive is as strong a bond as you're likely to experience. Most of us can identify lasting human connections that have stemmed from our love for cars, and in the case of Scott Wahl and Frank Schultz, we have a prime example.
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
"I first met Scott when I was 12, as his '66 Shelby was always parked at the Safeway grocery store where he worked" says Frank. "Every chance I got, I either rode my bike or went to Safeway with mom so I could check out the Shelby, which was lowered into the weeds and sounded nasty. I was hooked on Mustangs from that point on." The recollections from more than three decades ago are clear as day for Frank-the impression that a then 18 year-old Scott made on him being immense. It's amusing to think of how far apart the worlds of a 12 and 18 year old were, but how similar life is for the men at age 47 and 53. Amazingly Scott still has that Shelby from so long ago, while other acquisitions indicate the two have more automotive passion than ever.
Scott Wahl's Blue '68 1/2 CJ Fastback
"Back in the late 1990s, I was looking for the right big-block '67 or '68 fastback, as I'd only owned small-block cars to that point-the Shelby, a Boss 302, and so on. I found this car in Hemmings Motor News, and it sounded like what I was looking for," explained Scott. He and his wife Lindy eventually flew to St. Louis to check out the Acapulco blue GT, and ended up driving it back home to Seattle. "Quite the trip with 3.91 gears," says Scott, but all is well that ends well.
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Over time, Scott began to effect change as he saw fit. Great as a CJ car is in stock form, Scott's experience with Mustangs of better overall balance directed his efforts. He had West Coast Restoration in Snohomish, Washington, add a Baer four-wheel disc setup along with Vintage Wheel Works V45s-17x8 front, and 17x9.5 in the rear. Scott reveals a traditionalist side when he explained his preference for the look of a 15- or 16-inch rim on a classic Mustang, but such was his desire for stellar braking, that he went with the 17s to clear the 13-inch rotors.
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
The 428CJ in Scott's car was near stock at the time of our photos, but a stroker 427 was being readied on the stand to take its place. Yep, not only is Scott willing to modify his rare ride, he's willing to drive it with gusto too, so putting the original engine away for safe keeping sounds like a good idea. Either way, the power is directed through a Tremec five-speed to the aforementioned original 3.91 geared 9-inch-equating to plenty of gear bangin' fun in our book.
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
The Details
Scott Wahl's '68 1/2 Cobra Jet fastback
Engine
427 center oiler block, 0.030-inch over
4.260-inch bore
Scat 4.25-inch stroker crank
485 cubic inches
Ported Edelbrock aluminum heads, 2.19/1.73 valves
Jesel shaft roller rockers
Holley 950 cfm carb
Blue Thunder dual plane intake
Custom Reed solid roller camshaft
Transmission
Tremec TKO five-speed
Hurst shifter
Rearend
9-inch axle
3.91 gears
Traction-Lok differential
31-spline axles
Exhaust
FPA Tri-Y headers
2 1/2-inch pipes
Flowmaster three-chamber mufflers
Suspension
Front: Grab-A-Trak 1 1/8-inch swaybar, 620 springs, poly bushings, KYB shocks
Rear: Grab-A-Trak 4 1/2 leaf mid-eye springs, heavy-duty shackles, staggered KYB shocks
Brakes
Front: Baer "Track" kit 13-inch slotted/drilled/zinc-washed rotors, two-piston PBR aluminum calipers
Rear: Baer "Track" kit 13-inch slotted/drilled/zinc-washed rotors, single-piston PBR aluminum calipers
Wheels
Front: Vintage Wheel Works V45, 17x8, 4.5-inch backspacing
Rear: Vintage Wheel Works V45, 17x9.5, 6.25-inch backspacing
Tires
Front: BF Goodrich g-Force T/A, P245/45R17
Rear: BF Goodrich g-Force T/A, P255/50R17
Interior
Predominately stock, except for aftermarket stereo, console, Hurst shifter, and '67 GT500 style steering wheel (Scott explained that he always liked Steve McQueen's leather wrapped Shelby wheel in the original Bullitt, and duplicated it here)
Exterior
Stock Acapulco Blue w/black stripes, front and rear fenderlips rolled for tire clearance
Frank Schultz's White '68 1/2 CJ Fastback
Unlike Scott Wahl's experience with high strung small-blocks, Frank's been a big-block guy since his very first Mustang at age 15-an R-code '70 CJ Mach 1. "Scott called me up in 1999 to tell me about his latest purchase, the '68 1/2. To be honest, I didn't even know Ford made a '68 1/2 R-code at the time, but all it took was one ride to know I wanted one." It would be several years until the timing was right, but in 2005, Frank scored the Wimbledon White beauty you see here, which had been fully restored by Paul's Automotive Engineering in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Frank never intended to purchase a car that had been taken to such a high level, as his desire from the outset was to modify a '68 1/2 to reflect his own performance passion. As you can see, any guilt was fleeting, but all original parts have been carefully stored away for the future. Right out of the gate, the original C6 was swapped for a five-speed-a Tremec TKO to be specific, which is paired with the car's original 4.30 geared 31-spline 9-inch. Talk about a First gear traction problem! At least the power is more modest compared to Scott's stroker FE, as there are currently no plans to alter the virtually stock CJ. Paul's rebuilt the torque monster 428 to near factory specs, deviating only with a mild Comp Cams hydraulic grind, roller rockers, and basic cylinder head massaging. Why mess with a good thing?
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Where Frank strayed far from stock is in the suspension, brake, and rolling stock departments. Clearly visible are the Wheel Vintiques billet Magnums, measuring in width the same large proportions as Scott's. Hidden beneath at all corners are more Baer discs, paired with substantial suspension upgrades thanks to the handiwork of Shawn Carlson and Zach Thureson at West Coast. Said crew did its best to turn the nose-heavy big-block Pony into a corner carver, bolting in Global West tubular upper and lower control arms, adjustable strut rods, Koni shocks, and a big front sway bar. It's certainly no Boss 302, but Frank reports it now "drives beautifully." No doubt!
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Fast Friends
Frank and Scott have been buddies for more than three decades now, and the similarities in their Cobra Jet Mustangs indicate how similarly they see the world. For these two, cars are meant to be driven, meant to be improved, and meant to be tastefully personalized to their individual inclination. We have to admit to not seeing many of the 1,044 '68 1/2 fastbacks whose owners will take such liberties, so to Scott and Frank, we say kudos for blazing their own path.
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
But lest you think these owners are two peas in a pod, it turns out all isn't parallel in their universe. Frank admits to also owning a '70 LS5 Chevelle and a Pro Street '56 Chevrolet pickup, transgressions we're assured Scott bears no responsibility for. We're left to think that despite Scott's influential guidance, poor Frank must have fallen in with the wrong crowd at some point in his life. But hey, we'll cut him some slack in the end-for his pick to represent a Ford in his garage could hardly be any sweeter!
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
The Details
Frank Schultz '68 1/2 Cobra Jet fastback
Engine
433 cubic inches
Stock block, 0.030-inch overbore
4.160-inch bore
3.980-inch stroke
Stock head castings, prepped by Paul's Automotive Engineering
Stock Holley 735cfm carb
Stock cast iron intake
Comp Cams hydraulic cam
Comp Cams roller rockers
Transmission
Tremec TKO five-speed
Lakewood bellhousing
McLeod clutch and billet flywheel
Rearend
9-inch axle
4.30 gears
Traction-Lok differential
31-spline axles
Exhaust
Stock CJ exhaust manifolds
MagnaFlow stainless dual exhaust
Suspension
Front: Global West upper/lower control arms, strut rods, and springs; Koni shocks; Grab-A-Trak 1 1/8-inch swaybar
Rear: stock w/Koni staggered shocks
Brakes
Front: Baer "Track" kit 13-inch slotted/drilled/zinc-washed rotors, two-piston PBR aluminum calipers
Rear: Baer "Sport" kit 12-inch slotted/drilled/zinc-washed rotors, single-piston PBR aluminum calipers
Wheels
Front: Wheel Vintiques billet Magnum 500s, 17x8, 4.5-inch backspacing
Rear: Wheel Vintiques billet Magnum 500s, 17x9.5, 6.25-inch backspacing
Tires
Front: BF Goodrich g-Force T/A, P245/45R17
Rear: BF Goodrich g-Force T/A, P255/50R17
Interior
All stock except for an aftermarket console and shifter, original automatic car is reflected by lack of a tachometer in the factory instrument cluster
Exterior
Stock Wimbledon White w/red C-stripe, paint by Paul's Automotive Engineering, front fender lips rolled for tire clearance
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
Rare '68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs
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