Performance Review: Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Ford Mustang has a 7022cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1460 kgs (3218 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 7022cc 16V V8 engine produces 370 bhp (275 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 450 lb-ft (610.1 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 (278.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 253.4 bhp per ton and 308.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Mustang competing with the 2012 Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 (278.3 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Ferrari 512 TR (278.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 308.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2021 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 6.5 V12 (332.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG S 4Matic (332.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.91 secs @ 105.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo (12.86 secs), the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (12.86 secs), and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Mustang equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 429 Cobra Jet then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison