Imagine walking into your Ford dealer back in 1969 and being one of the few lucky customers to stumble upon an R-Code Torino sitting there waiting for you to get your hands on it. That’s what happened to the original buyer of this 1969 Ford Torino Cobra more than 50 years ago, and since that time the car has only exchanged hands twice. While this one is going to need quite a bit of work to be resurrected to its former glory days, it may be a good project for those who have some keen metal working skills, so if you’re into the idea of a 428 this may be a good project to consider. The car is located in Greenwood, Missouri, and can be seen here on eBay with a current offering of $4,550, plus there’s no reserve so the high bidder has bought themselves a rarity.
Let’s start with the good news, and that’s what can be found under the hood. The original numbers-matching 428 is still in place, and continuing the good report, not only does the motor turn over but the seller says it’s running and sounds mean. Upon acquisition, the current owner had a tune-up performed and replaced all the fluids, including flushing the fuel lines of all of the bad gas. The car was also originally equipped with the Ram Air package, but unfortunately, those components are now gone. But some more good news continues, as the car is a 4-Speed, although we’re not told specifically whether or not the transmission is an original part.
Sadly, the bad news is the body, and if there is any good news here it’s that for the most part, it seems to be pretty much complete. There’s a lot of rust present, on the surface and much deeper, with the lower body panels showing considerable deterioration. The seller mentions he hasn’t seen anything too serious around the trunk and rear window, nor near the drip rails or roof line, but it’s gonna take some time and resources to get those other panels and doors back up to par.
Inside, the story goes that one of the previous owners had a wife who fancied herself an upholsterer, and she took it upon herself to apply her talents to the interior sometime during the seventies. Like it or not, that’s what’s in there, and all of the gauges appear to be intact, though no word on whether or not they are all functioning. The original glass is also still in the vehicle.
The seller is straightforward in stating that there’s rust and corrosion underneath, and he realizes it’s going to take a lot of serious effort to get things back in order down below. While the next owner has bought themself a project that’s not for the faint of heart, the result may be well worth it if you’ve got the skills to complete this one. What are your thoughts on this 1969 Ford Torino Cobra?
This car is quite the challenge but would be a really great car to own. But only after considerable time and money to bring it back to its former showroom days. Bet it was a hoot to run back when it was newer. Got to love the clamp on the leaf spring, maybe to control wrap up or weak spring. Slappers used to work great and weren’t very costly.
If it was good enough for Richard Petty….
I still remember the ad featuring him back in the day.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DmYAAOxy43FRZT3p/s-l500.jpg
Cool fact. This car was sold from Zink Motor Company 201 East 4th street Appleton Mo. 64724. That Ford dealer is still there. A quick scan of Google maps shows a very cool looking building. It’s the type of building that looks like it sold model Ts and Model As too.
Ad should read with this lead:
Torino Cobra model, 428 Super Cobra Jet /Drag Pack.
When 428 Cobra Jet with 735 cfm Holley (small after-mkt 600 cfm here) was optioned with 3.91 or 4.30 rear gears it was called Drag Pack and came with Staggered rear shocks (with 4 speed), special internals for heavy duty use with big “hatchet” harmonic balancer, engine oil cooler (not seeing it here) .
To have original engine is uncommon and not many of these to begin with.
Car & Driver ran 14.01 second qtr mile with a Drag pk auto tranny back in ’69.
I have this one with the automatic C-6, took me 41 years and midlife after my high school pal bought a worn out one in late 70’s.
Someone needs to save this one. Budget muscle with 7 ltr. Mill and Drag pk – worth saving !!
I tried to trade for one of these back in the mid 80’s. Couldn’t get a deal done, probably for the best. I was an idiot back then, still have my moments today just don’t have the hangovers now
wow! This 69 Torino Cobra 428 is most definitely worth dealing with mitigating the underneath rust and other panel repairs to get back on the road, and with a no reserve auction someone may walk away with a gem. Great find
neat car
If only I had the time.. ! Just finished a 73 Mach 1 / 351CJ that had a lot of hidden rot.. Seller was not up front about it, but with a rotisserie, lots of available sheetmetal and patience, it got finished.. Gave it to my son. So, what does he do????? Sells it.. Just can’t win some days. LOL
back in 1968 I bought a 390 4 speed Torino gt fastback off the show room floor of Ford dealer in Boston loved that car had Firestone wide ovels on it could lite them up
I always thought this was the coolest front ends of any of the Torinos from the late 60’s. Something about it just screamed, “I’m serious as a heart-attack!” And, as Allen L said above, “if it was good enough for Petty…” Pretty much says it all for me. Great car. Just too much rust for my inexperienced skillset.
I have an R code 69 cobra formal hardtop. Black jade with black bucket seat interior and column shift c6. Have owned it many years and really enjoy it.Like driving miss Daisey till you step on the right pedal. Hang on! The car for sale here is missing many high dollar parts. The carburetor and air cleaner assembly will cost a ton. Will make a really nice car when finished but will cost a lot to get there.
Cool machine, gotta love that steering wheel and the T-handle turned sideways like that. You just know this car was ran hard back in the glory years! Wanted one, any Ford mid size muscle really, when I started driving in the early eighties….at least here in Sun Diego they were hiding out…rarely saw one.
Better budget in another southern car to use for all the metal to be replaced.
No matter what this is a car to save from the sinkhole. I seen a rolled R Code that was rolled to smitherines end up in a sinkhole in Oakville MO. I saved the carburetor and two of the steel wheels.. I think it was original to the car. The car was a dark blue with black hood, roof and deck lid.
That blue with a black hood was likely a Talladega..
Just imagine how heavy these cast iron 428 heads and intake manifold are. I may be tempted to swap to an alluminum intake during a rebuild, but gotta keep those cast iron heads at all costs! That body color looks like Nightmist Blue to me. If this was just another Mustang with this amount of rust I’d pass, but being it’s this car it’s definitely worth the $$ and headache to restore.
Nice FAIRLANE COBRA….
SOLD for $14,857.