Highway 61 1970 Mustang CJ428 Mustang R-Code

What can be more intimidating than a big Mustang in Black? No, not the four-footed hoofed one, but the one with four burning tires. Highway 61 brings the throaty 1970 Cobra Jet Mustang to us as a 1/18 diecast for your Muscle Car shelf.

By 1970, the Mustang and most of the other Muscle Cars were already suffering from gas shortages and stringent federal laws regulating air quality controls. The public was casting their fickle eye to the smaller, fuel efficient grey boxes coming out of the East. But Ford’s Mustang wasn’t packing it in by any means. No, they were still loading the power into the mighty Mustang Boss, Mach 1 and the deceptively plain-Jane 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs. While the brightly painted Boss 302s and Mach 1s garnered all the attention, the 428 Cobra Jet was gobbling up all the competition on the street and on the strips. The 428CJ engine was the killer powerplant that came wrapped in a sleeper package. In 1970, you could order the “R” Code option stuck inside the granddaddy-looking Sports Roof Stang. This package slapped a neat-looking shaker hood scoop on your Mustang. Ford also offered a “Q” option. In 1970, the Ford Mustang wasn’t laying down its guns.

Tom Haverland at Highway 61 has released some high end Mustangs at mid level prices for the collectors. This 1970 Mustang “R” Code 428CJ in Raven Black with black interior is one killer image. It will be one of the true intimidators of your collection. The stance is wide and brutish. To this reviewer’s eyes, the car is right on the money. The usual attention to detail is apparent from the scale application of the foil chrome and retracting, realistic antenna to the fuel line and undercarriage. The raised, white lettered tires do lack realistic tread and the shine makes them look a bit too vinyl, however, this nit picking isn’t enough to keep me from admiring the rest of the detail that went into this car. For example, the “Mustang” script on the front fenders is a perfectly re-produced, photo-etched marvel that really sets the exterior of this Mustang off.

There are some parts of the model that seem incomplete or rushed, but this could be the nature of the sample I received. The windshield wipers are not chrome but gold colored plastic. There is also no carpeting on this Mustang. The rest of the interior is outstanding and up to the usual Highway 61 excellence. The front seats slide and tilt forward. There are realistic chrome door locks and one of my favorite extras, an opening glove box. The steering wheel is supposed to simulate wood, but it looks more like pumpkin orange paint on the review sample. The dash instrumentation and dials are so realistic, you’ll want to dig out the trusty old magnifying glass and have some fun admiring them. And it’s always a pleasure to see a well scaled shifter as well. Nice job.

There are no disappointments under the hood. The fire-breathing 428 Cobra Jet powerplant has been faithfully reproduced. This is one Mustang you can display with the hood up. But be careful when closing it. Make sure you press down and then back gently. The fit is super and the shut lines tight, but you need to make sure the hood pushes down then slides back into place. Despite some minor shortcomings, Highway 61 has released an impressive line of Mustangs for any collecting taste. This triple Raven Black Stang is a powerful image and one sure to delight all Mustang diehards or Muscle Car collectors. It’s Black, Mean and a Mustang. Don’t let it roar away. Available now in 1/18 by Highway 61. Check it out.

-Patty Henderson