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CycloneFE · 08-19-2007, 03:06 PM

The original 68 1/2 Cobra Jets (13 I believe), including Al Joniec's and Don Nicholson's were NOT the true CJ,s anyway. The serial # for the engine was to be R in the fifth digit, but the 13 had J or 302 engine codes.
One of the restorers of Nicholson's confirmed this for me when I was doing research on my 68 1/2.

I have walked the pits for many years and checked the VIN's on many of the 68's and I find many J, S, and there are a few R,s

Remember, the car won the Winternationals, but it wasn't released to the public until April of 68. Pretty amazing feat considering the time it would take to build and get the car ready, testing and all. How did NHRA have the build #'s before they were released to the public.

Then again, the Thunderbolt was a very limited production and it was accepted. I am sure some MOPAR folks can fess up to some pretty strange combinations being accepted in "the day" that should never have also.

NHRA opened the door and the horse is out, and has been out since then.

Very few of these cars exist today, so it appears that NHRA wants "that kind" of car to be seen on the track, so exceptions are made. Many of the true originals are worth so much, it may be risky to even be near a track with one. For the sake of the show, Ford vs Chevy vs Mopar vs AMC vs etc, do you get my drift, we will continue to see variations, for the "show".

08-19-2007, 03:06 PM	#15
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Opps ! The original 68 1/2 Cobra Jets (13 I believe), including Al Joniec's and Don Nicholson's were NOT the true CJ,s anyway. The serial # for the engine was to be R in the fifth digit, but the 13 had J or 302 engine codes. One of the restorers of Nicholson's confirmed this for me when I was doing research on my 68 1/2. I have walked the pits for many years and checked the VIN's on many of the 68's and I find many J, S, and there are a few R,s Remember, the car won the Winternationals, but it wasn't released to the public until April of 68. Pretty amazing feat considering the time it would take to build and get the car ready, testing and all. How did NHRA have the build #'s before they were released to the public. Then again, the Thunderbolt was a very limited production and it was accepted. I am sure some MOPAR folks can fess up to some pretty strange combinations being accepted in "the day" that should never have also. NHRA opened the door and the horse is out, and has been out since then. Very few of these cars exist today, so it appears that NHRA wants "that kind" of car to be seen on the track, so exceptions are made. Many of the true originals are worth so much, it may be risky to even be near a track with one. For the sake of the show, Ford vs Chevy vs Mopar vs AMC vs etc, do you get my drift, we will continue to see variations, for the "show".