According to the Marti report, this 1969 Ford Torino Cobra checked so many great boxes when new that it ended up being a one-of-one example, and I’m sure there’s going to be competition among blue oval fans for the opportunity to return this cool muscle car to its former glory. This one’s been parked since 1988, and while there’s plenty of work to be done here, this could be a very rewarding project. The car has always been in Pennsylvania, with Newton Square its present location, and it can be found here on eBay, with the high bid of $13,100 falling short of the reserve. Our thanks go out to reader Russell Glantz for his tip here!
There was certainly no shortage of Torinos built in 1969, so it’s fun to look at the report from Kevin Marti and watch such a high number go all the way down to one, based on all the options. The seller indicates that the engine was running when his late father bought the car back in 1988 and parked it in his garage, although I can’t imagine acquiring any Ford with an operational 428-4V Cobra Jet Ram Air V8 and not wreaking at least some havoc on the roads. The Ram Air equipment is missing, but the motor appears complete, and hopefully it will still turn after all this time. Another good component is the transmission, a 4-speed Toploader, one of those units known for its strength and durability.
How anyone could find joy in breaking out car windows is hard to comprehend, but the seller says some kids in the neighborhood did just that after his father passed away. Fortunately, the vandalism seems to have stopped there, as I’m not spotting any intentional dents or scrapes on the body. There is some Indian Fire overspray on the door tag, so this one’s either been touched-up or maybe received an entire new paint job at some point, and no word on if it’s ever had any bodywork done. The seller states the quarter panels are solid, with the exterior appearing mostly complete, sans a couple of trim pieces and glass.
This is the lone photo we get to view from the interior, and it’s sad to see the wipers resting on the dash due to what happened outside. From this one shot, at least the driver’s bucket will need some fresh vinyl and the console refurbished, but hopefully some of the other components will clean up adequately. With the pedigree here, it’s a no-brainer that this one’s a worthwhile project, but more of a question as to how much this 1970 Ford Torino Cobra is worth as it sits right now. What’s a fair price to pay in this condition?
A couple of brothers had one of these up in Graham Missouri back in the 80’s. The motor was gone but the 4 speed and other parts was still there. I had one of the brothers talked into trading it to me for some truck parts that he was needing but the other brother had someone wanting to trade a camper for it so I didn’t end up with it. Who knows what I would of done with it anyway. The only reason I really wanted is because it was not a mustang
From the looks of this one, whether or not it’s had body work is a moot point. I worked in the used car business for many years. I learned that used cars come one of two ways, they’ve either had body work or they need it!
One of One because it had whitewall tires. Are you kidding me? Who really cares? This will bring NO additional value to this car.
Don’t forget those unobtanium argent wheels :)
That is my only real comply about Marti Reports. They try to make a big deal out of obscure things like how many came with a certain type of tire. This is not really a 1 of a kind in my book. But it is rare.
Yeah, the whitewall tires are long gone… and so are those “Argent steel wheels”… cuz it’s got mags now. And, as already mentioned, the Ram Air is gone. Too bad, so quickly it becomes… just a used car.
The Ram Air air cleaner can be replaced, a friend needed one for his Cobra a couple of years ago and paid $1,200 for one. I’d be concerned about the engine being original, the seller went out of his way to say the rear ends center section and transmission were original to the car, but no mention of the engine. That suggests it’s not. Matching numbers help value, but so few Cobra’s have their original it’s lost some of it’s importance since these cars aren’t hard to document through the VIN, door tag and a Marti report.
Steve R
Marti does an excellent job with research. Like everything interpretive, the end user defines the product when using the findings by statistical information.
“There’s lies, damned lies, and statistics”.
As was said above, the fact it had whitewalls, argent wheels or remote mirror adjustment is of little concern to the vast majority of gearheads but the seller seems to be trying to make up for the abuse it’s undergone during its time of neglect.
It needs someone that can appreciate the car for what it is and what it can be again..
Will take a committed buyer with a plan and backup mechanic, time and money and patience.
I have almost 6 years into my ’69 Torino GT. I did engine out/in, had tranny rebuild, 3rd member and front suspension rebuild.
Lots of shops that I had do prior work say “we don’t do that work/older cars anymore.”
Big block Ford, FE, parts are more expensive.
Worth it -and 7 mpg – oh yes!
Really like the PS, PdB and 4 speed here.
Spoke with my HS pal last night and we laughed about his ’69 CJ 428 Torino 4 spd, with no PS or PdB, and the unbelievable abuse it could handle. This one reminds me of his.
The Ford Torino/BB FE community has been priceless.
Like Nevadahalftrack said very well: it needs someone that can appreciate the car for what it is and what it can be again.
As my brother pointed out (he owned a 68 Torino GT390/C6), the bucket seats are the real coup for 69s. Regardless, so hope someone saves the car.
My Kingdom for bucket seats!
So true.
There was a time in the mid 80’s that I dwelled in the mountains of western Washington state up above a small burgh called Granite Falls. There was a fellow who lived in a remote part of those woods that owned a Torino 428 cobra jet with 4 speed top loader. He never drove it. It just sat there in the mountains in pristine condition like an empress of the mountain.
I don’t know the rest of the story. It may still be there for all I know.
God Bless America
how do people let it get to this point. what a shame.
The vehicle itself is worth it’s weight in gold, subtract from that what it will take to correct the abuse it had to withstand. A true collector/restorer, as I am, would make space for one more project like this for about $4000.. if and only if the papers actually show a CJ. Good luck to the seller, hope you get a buyer who is looking for this exact car, with $ to spare.
poor memory here but didnt ford designate one step up w/“SuperCJ”
possibly on this or a stang model? Possibly the 429?
I’ve all ways thought ofa circumferential metal reinforcer inside the sheet metal ( continuing on sides and possibly bottom @ flr pan) at “back windshield” and hinge so this (& other models w/possibility) could B modded into “hatch”. Stand behind or ona 3/4 view and these FBs are soooper long.
The 428 in SCJ/super cobra jet version was first an axle option (3.91 or 4.30:1) early 1969. My Marti reads that way as a Jan build.
Later it was a option called Drag Pack.
170 Torino SCJs made that yr. That axle choice brought heavy duty engine internals (427 LeMans rods, cap screws) and engine oil cooler. Later ’69 production brought the addition of an oil windage tray that keep it off the spinning crank. I put 7 qts oil in mine, the additional for the lines, cooler.
Same 335 HP, with more durability mods for drag use and possible warranty concerns with the much increased engine speed because of the rear gearing.
My HS pal had a white ’69
4 spd 428 that he reminded me was an SCJ. We spoke a few nights ago, of those times back in ’77, fresh out of boot camp and his foolishness with the car while being young.
There is a twin to this car [except for the mirror, wheel covers and tire size] sitting in an open-front farm shed in Delaware where it’s been off the road for at least 4 decades. Elderly lady owns it, was her husband’s car and it’s not for sale. Drove past it yesterday, nothing has changed. Apparently it’s a “known” car, as many people have tried to get her to sell. I figure when she’s gone, whoever inherits it might sell.