Unassuming 1970 Ford Mustang Hides Rare Q-Code SCJ Setup Under Boss 302 Shell

If you know you're Mustangs, you're probably already questioning the authenticity of this vehicle. And you're right to do so because this pony doesn't look like something Ford put together. While the front fascia looks legit for a 1970 model, the C-shaped stripes on the sides are something you'd see on a 1969 Boss 302.

But as confusing as it may seem, this 'Stang is not a mundane example posing (rather poorly) as a Boss 302. This Grabber Blue beauty is actually a fully-fledged Q-code car. Yup, the unassuming hood hides one of Ford's greatest powerplants from the era: the 428-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet.

Introduced in mid-1968 as a beefed-up FE-series mill, this V8 quickly became the most potent Ford available thanks to a rating of 335 horsepower and 440 pound-feet (597 Nm) of torque. It lost its top-of-the-line position to the 429-cubic-inch Boss (375 horsepower) in 1969, but it recaptured its place in 1971, its final year on the market.

Output remained unchanged at 335 horsepower for the 1970 model year, but Ford had already introduced the Super Cobra Jet option in 1969. The latter featured a heavy-duty crankshaft and connecting rods for drag racing. The "Drag Pack" also included an oil cooler, which led to the removal of air conditioning in Super Cobra Jet cars.

Now, here comes the interesting bit. Even though it's a Super Cobra Jet car, this Mustang is a Q-code non-Ram Air rig, which is rather uncommon. Moreover, it's not a Mach 1, the model of choice for most Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet engines. And this is a rare combo, according to Marti Auto Works.

Statistics provided by the number one first-gen Mustang expert list only 29 non-Mach 1 Q-code cars built with the Super Cobra Jet powerplant. For reference, 857 Mach 1s got this powerplant during the 1970 model year. There's no information on how many were equipped with the automatic gearbox, but we're looking at a super-rare Mustang.

On the flip side, our host doesn't mention whether the 428 V8 is a numbers-matching mill. The car also needs some work. The Boss 302 stripes need to go, while the hood needs a repaint to match the Grabber Blue on the rest of the body. The trunk lid also has a couple of plugs covering holes from an aftermarket spoiler.

But while this unassuming muscle car is far from perfect, it's only a mild restoration away from becoming a Concours-ready gem. One that will definitely stand out in a pack of 1970 Mach 1s. Check it out in the video below.