The late-model Mustang craze is not really considered “late-model” anymore, as it actually began with the 1987 Mustang GT, nearly 30 years ago. Back then there were a number of racers setting the trends that can be followed all the way to the current time period, and one of those racers was the dearly departed Racin’ Jason Betwarda. We recently came across an ad on Facebook for Jason’s legendary droptop Mustang that graced the cover of many magazines back in the day and was the first Fox Mustang into the 7-second zone. It appears as if the car is being sold with no engine, as a simple rolling chassis, but for someone who wants to own a piece of Mustang racing history, this surely qualifies at the very top of the list. Unfortunately, the car’s chassis probably doesn’t qualify for the insane speeds that Outlaw 10.5-style cars are running today, but it would be a great addition to someone’s collection. 

As a pioneer in turbo Mustang racing, Betwarda, along with driver Mike Ragusa, tore up dragstrips all over the country, and his match races with Gene Deputy of Texas Turbo fame catapulted the Fox Body Mustang to the forefront of drag racing notoriety back in the 1990’s. Sadly, Betwarda lost his life in a tragic crash at Lebanon Valley Dragway while testing his new car for an upcoming race on June 12, 1999. We’ve included the above video of Betwarda at a test session years ago with this then-new ride. Racin’ Jason’s memory has lived on all these years, as his influence is all over the parts and pieces we use today in organized Mustang racing. In fact, well-known racer Wild Bill Devine credits Betwarda as one of the driving influences behind his love of Mustang racing even today, and it’s a true blast from the past to see this car still in one piece (sort of). We remember the Stormin’ Norman Invitational races at the Ford Motorsport Nationals held at Maple Grove, and the Mustang Vs. Grand National races at Englishtown’s Old Bridge Raceway Park where Betwarda and Ragusa, with Kenny Duttweiler power on board and Job Spetter Sr. behind the tuning, teamed up with fellow Mustang racers Gene Deputy, Joe DaSilva, and Steve Grebeck, to put the hurtin’ on the GN contingent. Anyone remember the incredible centerfold in Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords of Racin’ Jason’s car? That famous photo graced the bedroom walls and garages of a lot of Mustang fans for a long time no doubt.

One of the parties involved in the sale says a deal to buy the car may be in the works, no details on who or what, but we’d love to see this piece of racing history making some exhibition runs, or even on display at a few events. That would be cool.