In the world of muscle cars, the 1968 Ford Mustang GT500KR roars to life with its 428 “Cobra Jet” engine, which, let’s be honest, is about as “under-rated” as a rockstar at karaoke night. Churning out a hulking 440 ft-lbs of torque, this beast could probably tow a small planet if it wanted. After its Le Mans victories, the GT500KR strutted its stuff with die-cast aluminum valve covers, proudly shouting “Cobra Lemans” like a tattoo of triumph. Alas, its name was retired before 1969, much like disco should’ve been.
By April 1968 the 428 “Cobra Jet” engine, soon to be known as the Cobra GT 500KR, is being installed in the Mustang. The engine is very much under rated at 335 hp (250kW) and will develop 440 ft-lbs of torque at 3400 RPM. After the Mustang win over the Ferrari at Le Mans in ’67 and ’68, the Shelby KR engine is left stock, but die cast aluminum valve covers are added with “Cobra Lemans” emblazoned on them to mark the Ford FE engine victory. The name was retired before the 1969 model year, only a couple of months before Shelby ended his contract with Ford.
MCF thanks Gateway Classic Cars for the images provided here
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