Philadelphia Eagles’ Fletcher Cox is a defensive tackle, but his ‘Hemi-fied’ 1967 Mustang dragster turns him into a speed demon.
Men’s interests can go in so many different directions. Some guys are into gadgets. Others closely follow sports. Then there are those that collect comic books. Another subset knows everything about classic movies. And we all know at least one guy who’s a car nut. Fletcher Cox is into sports and cars. In fact, he’s hardcore about both. He plays in the NFL and owns the racing team that’s going to compete with this beautiful blue 1967 Ford Mustang drag car.
The YouTube video above from TheRacingVids doesn’t offer much in the way of details about Cox’s newest go-fast machine. However, it does make it clear that this ’67 “has Steel Quarters and Roof with a Stock Wheelbase.” Power comes from a Hemi (with what we’re assuming is 572 cubic inches of displacement, judging by the “badge” on the front end) pumped up by a massive blower.
For those of you who don’t watch professional football, Cox is a defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the Super Bowl last year. Being strong is an obvious requirement for that position, but speed is, too. So it makes sense that Cox is into the idea of going fast wherever possible. The big difference between his time on the field and his time at the strip is that when he goes racing, he has someone else at Cox Racing put on their protective gear and do the running.
For a creation that has to emphasize function over form, this car still manages to be a stunner. The paint is an exotic shade of blue and covers perfectly exaggerated body work. The engine and blower rise out of the curvy hood like an unknown monster rising from the deep, ready to wreak havoc.
Four large-diameter pipes exit just in front of the doors on each side and angle upward, ready to trumpet the bloodthirsty battle roar of the Hemi. Side scallops point toward the steamroller-like back tires that are tucked well inside of the blistered rear fenders. The rear end is a combination of angles, metal latticework, and plump square pouches filled with parachutes.
Even though Cox Racing’s ’67 Mustang may not wear Eagles green or have wings, we have a hunch it’s still going to fly down whichever drag strip it goes to.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
