The Ford drag-racing package for the 1968 Mustang was the Cobra Jet package.
Ford introduced the 428 Cobra Jet during the 1968 model year, creating a street-legal Mustang with serious drag-racing credentials. The engine was based on Ford’s 428-cubic-inch FE V8 and used performance-oriented cylinder heads, induction hardware, and other revisions derived from Ford’s racing experience. With available Ram-Air induction, the package gave the Mustang a formidable quarter-mile reputation.
The Cobra Jet program was closely connected to the factory wars of the 1960s. Ford built a small group of lightweight Mustangs for competition, and Al Joniec drove a 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet to victory in the NHRA Winternationals. The success helped turn “Cobra Jet” into one of Ford’s most recognized performance names.
“Drag Pack” is the main historical trap. Ford used that name for a later package, particularly with Super Cobra Jet combinations in 1969 and afterward. “Super Cobra Jet” likewise described an upgraded engine configuration, not the standard name for the 1968 Mustang package.