Craig's First Cobra

2 weeks old in Nov 1978

The REST of the story...

It was 1978. I was a young designer at Ford Motor Co in the Engine Division and to a small degree involved in the design of the 2.3L Turbo that was to power the '79 Mustang Cobra. '70's were a disappointing time in the auto industry because government regulations on emissions, fuel economy and crash had wiped out the mussel car era. This new Mustang (Fox Body) would be Fords answer to a performance revival. The leader of the pack for 1979 would be badged a Cobra. By today's standards the 4 cylinder turbo isn't that exciting, but in 1978, it was at the top of the heap.

When the New Mustang Cobra was introduced in 1978, I was one of the first to put in my order. By November, it was on the road, burning up tires. What a blast! If only for two weeks.

On a very early morning, I was headed to work, just as happy as could be in my new Cobra. With another car not far ahead, we approached a railroad crossing and the flashing lights lit up warning of an approaching train. It was a local slow moving train that ran between Ford plants. Most people knew that the train was slow and long and would speed up to beat it to the crossing. As the car ahead accelerated, I did the same. THEN the the brake lights came on. The driver ahead changed his mind. In my new hot rod four cylinder turbo, I knew to beat the train was surly no problem. I swerved into the on coming lane with foot to the floor to pass. Unfortunately a lady driving a Monte-Carlo coming the other way had the same idea. To my left was nothing but field, so I decided to bail left. Again, unfortunately the Monte-Carlo was coming a little faster than I calculated and not slowing. Before I could get out of the way the Monte-Carlo entered my passenger door. My forward momentum caused the car to spin 360 degrees while attempting to cross the railroad tracks.

When the world stopped spinning, I was sitting in the middle of the railroad tracks, facing a HUGE locomotive with its bright light shining in my eyes and the loudest horn I have very heard indicating I better run. FORTINATELY, the driver door still worked and I ran.

Standing in a field on a cold dark November morning I'm looking at my pretty new Mustang Cobra (unaware of the damage to the passenger side) with no rear wheels (they broke off as the car crossed the tracks sideways) and hubs still going around (the little 4 banger never missed a beat), waiting for the train to end its misery. BUT! The train stopped! WOW. Later, a Cop assessing the damage asked “So the train hit you and then backed up?” Nope, that was all Monte-Carlo. Even more surprising, the lady that hit me drove her Monte-Carlo home. Chevy 1 Ford 0 on that day.