If all of us could have two Mustangs instead of just one, many of our problems would be solved. When we have just one Mustang, we're caught up in making it faster, and faster, and faster, until it's basically a track-only car that's living on the ragged edge. We get frustrated and sell the car so we can start all over and get something streetable and fun. Don't argue with us, you know you've done exactly the same thing a time or two.
What we all need are two Mustangs like Palatine, Illinois' CJ Williams. He has this '91 GT for the street and show field, while his '93 Cobra cures his need for speed: truly the best of both worlds. CJ is a custom home builder by profession, and he's done plenty of building on both his GT and Cobra in order to get them on these pages. The GT has been redone from the ground up, while the Cobra didn't need quite that much work.
Pretty much everything on the GT has been replaced or painted to look better than new. CJ says he spent $24,000 on just the body and paint, and the results speak for themselves. Incaudo's Auto Body applied the House of Kolors Wild Strawberry paint, adding Candy Orange flames. The exterior was treated to a Cervini's Auto Designs Stalker front bumper cover and cowl hood. Plus, the door handles were shaved to give the car a smooth look--CJ just has to remember to keep the remote's battery in good working order or he'll have to climb in the back hatch again (I still have those pictures, too). The interior received new leather upholstery, carpet, a headliner, and several billet items thanks to Goldstar Automotive.
Under the Cervini's cowl hood lives an Automotive Engine Specialties-built 347, based on a Sportsman 5.0 block with an Eagle crank and rods, JE pistons, and custom cam from Comp Cams. Up top are a pair of Edelbrock Victor Jr. heads with a Trick Flow R Series intake, a BBK 75mm throttle body, and a Pro-M 80mm mass air meter. That would be more than enough for some people, but not CJ. For more go, nitrous was added to the mix with NOS solenoids and an NX Shark nozzle for an extra 125 hp.
Seeing the exterior of CJ's,...
Seeing the exterior of CJ's, it shouldn't be a shock to hear he has a lot of money just in the body work and paint. The car features a Cervini's Auto Designs' cowl hood and Stalker front bumper cover, and shaved door handles. Covering the panels is an Incaudo's Auto Body House of Kolors Wild Strawberry paint scheme with Candy Orange flames. Weld Racing Magnum wheels sit at each corner with 15x9-inch, custom-made examples out back. The same Nitto Tire Extreme Drag radials CJ received as part of competing in the 2007 King of the Street still remain. The stellar braking comes courtesy of a Wilwood disc brake system.
We liked the GT so much we invited CJ to the 2007 King of the Street competition. Even though the GT made 512 hp to the wheels, CJ's ride finished dead last in the hotly contested Horsepower segment. Transmission shifting issues hampered quarter-mile performance, as well, negatively impacting the Drag Race score. In the other four categories, CJ's GT scored well, representing the Fox crowd strongly.
Representing the Fox crowd in an overwhelming way is CJ's '93 Cobra. The car was a quarter-mile bracket car, and it already featured a four-link rear suspension when CJ bought it. Along with the rear suspension, the chassis and 'cage were certified to 8.50, and harnessed a 363ci alcohol combination.
However, that just wouldn't do for CJ. "It was still a great buy and a solid car when I bought it," CJ says. The Cobra's body is as you see it, in great shape, but CJ saw room for improvement in many other areas. First order of business was the chassis. Out came the old 'cage and four-link, and in its place went a Duncan Race Cars 25.5 chassis with a Jerry Bickel Race Cars four-link setup. For safety, CJ equipped the GT with a Safecraft fire-suppression system should the unthinkable happen, and a parachute to help slow things down on the big end.
CJ also stepped up the Cobra's power enough to mandate a parachute. He summoned Fast Times Motorworks to build a 363ci, alcohol-powered small-block. Not only that, but a NOS Pro Shot Fogger was added as well. With the proper support from upgraded fuel and ignition systems the new combo propelled the Cobra to 8.50s at more than 158 mph.