Muscle cars were everywhere in 1969 and one of the most formidable was the Ford Torino Cobra Jet. With its 428 cubic inch V8 and optional ram air induction, these cars were hard to beat. This example looks almost like a perfect “sleeper,” yet the selling dealer confuses this with a Ford Mustang from the same year (and none of the bidders have apparently mentioned that). Located in Deming, New Mexico, this Ford may only have 34,000 miles and looks to have been gently used or well restored, but we don’t know which. It’s available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $24,200. If this car is the real deal, does someone stand to get a bargain?
The Cobra was intended to compete with the likes of the GM and Chrysler mid-size muscle cars. But its sales numbers in 1969 weren’t huge by comparison. 3,786 formal hardtops like this one were built, while the fastback (aka SportsRoof) was more popular at 11,099 copies. The VIN provided by the seller jives with what an authentic Cobra would have had stamped. And this car comes with a potentially more desirable 4-speed manual rather than an automatic transmission.
No history of this auto is provided to help determine how it has survived so nicely for 54 years. It sports Meadowlark Yellow paint which we assume is the original color, but it’s been repainted. The black vinyl top helps the car look more like a routine Torino with the Cobra emblems being one of the giveaways. The black interior is quite nice, and the original buyer opted for a front bench seat rather than buckets and a console. The rear gearing has been changed to 3.25:1 with a Traction-Lok differential for limited slip. The hood scoop functions to help the 360 hp engine performs as well as it can.
The seller goes on to describe more of the features of the car, which is always good, but the background would be better. It was last serviced in 2020, so talking about a three-year-old oil change isn’t a great selling point. Since this car seems to be everything you might expect, how high might the bidding go since a reserve doesn’t seem to be in the picture?
Although I preferred the styling of the Sportsroof, I would gladly park this one in my dream garage! I also preferred Magnums over these wheels.
GLWTA!! :-)
in 1968 I bought a new one Torino gt fast back 390 4 barrel 4 speed one of the best cars I ever owned would bury gtos and ss 396 with base engines it was gold with black stripe on side Firestone wide oval tires
In the early ’80s, I went to check out a similar car though with a c6 auto trans. The garage it was stored in had been broken into, the carb stolen and for some reason, the drivers bucket seat was cut up. At least, that was the story told to me by the seller. I was tempted, it was in good shape except for what had been done to it but because I couldn’t hear it run, I had no idea if the big block was in good shape or thrashed. The guy only wanted $800 but I passed on it. Now I wish I hadn’t but back then, cars like this were everywhere and usually pretty cheap. Oh well.
Magnums look good on virtually any car, my favorite OEM wheel of all time. For what it’s worth, the Magnum 500’s made their debut on the 1969 Boss 302 and Boss 429. they were not available on other Fords until 1970.
I always like the styled steel wheels or as I like to call them GT wheels. The Magnum 500 wheels weren’t offered on the Cobra’s until 1970. They also had a steel slotted style wheel on the Fairlanes, Torino Gt like my 1971 Grabber blue with laser stripes down the side car.
Seller has zero feedback or history to go along with the dumb Mustang listing.
Scam radar activated
To add to CraigR’s great obsevation, seller specifies payment via money order. Hmmm
Red Flags – looks restored with no history or a clue on what a Cobra or Torino is.
335 hp, not 360hp.
Model is a “Cobra” formal roof and good for past $50k in this restored condition, with 4 spd and R code (ram air) CJ 428.
Really like the formal roof – better visibility out of that back window ! Ask me how I know!
This is a smelly ad.
my 390 was the 335 hp in 1968 fastback bought it new and yes most 390 s where 325 hp but there was a upgrade to 335 HP even said it on window sticker think a $30 upgrade from the 325 hp
Not according to any Ford literature I’ve seen(or cars/engines I’ve seen). The ’68 335Hp 390 used a Holley carb, in ’69 switched to Motorcraft. Holley wasn’t smog approved for ’69. Assuming there was a optional 335Hp, would have used a different engine code. Again no, only 390 was 325Hp S code. Anyway the 390 was singing it’s swan song, 428CJ had the spotlight.
My first car was a 1969 Fairlane base model tudor with a 302 c4 trams that I paid $50.00 for in 78. Drove the snot out of that car. Then in 81 I bought a 1971 Torino Gt Sportsroof, same drive train for $250.00. Was backing out of a parking stall right into some crapanese turd and that was not fun either. Really sharp car though lousy visibility out the back window.
Nice car, but definitely buyer beware.
5 minutes with Google reveals no such dealership in Demin, NM
The website they refer to in one of the photos is in FL.
Maybe the bidders are thinking that they will get a rare car for a good deal since it is not categorized correctly and other potential buyers will miss it.
I think you left the “g” out on Deming, NM. There website is pretty complete and they’ve got an unusual inventory of some pretty nice cars. I may be fooled but here’s the link if you want to check it out.
https://carchoiceautosales.com/inventory/
Slippery 🍌
Yep. Not a Torino. A Cobra. Made to compete with the Roadrunner, Judge and whatever other “stripper” hi po models were out there. Nice car from a really sketchy seller.
Sure seems to be a lot skeptism on this car, and i agree you need to know who restored the car.
Well, the old adage is if it looks to good to be true, it usually is! Currently I’m looking for a good clean 69 Fairlane to build my own Torino Cobra. I grew up in the Chicago suburb of Wood Dale and my next door neighbor had a 66 Coronet with a 426 HEMI, & a 69.5 A12 Super Bee both automatics his son had a 69 Ford Torino Cobra formal roof in dark red with a 4 speed. As a 16 yr old those guys let me drive all 3 cars to help move them around and drive them at an abandoned small municipal air field Moody Airport at Thorndale Ave & North Central Ave. it’s a business park now but back in the mid 70s it was our “paved playground” the local cops would let us drag race there as long as we weren’t drinking and doing really stupid stuff, those memories left a lasting impression on me and I have one of these cars before I die.
I saw this one and reported it to Flea Bay as potential fraud.
Here’s the Bring A Trailer last sale in Idaho
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-ford-torino-cobra-3/
The real one sold just under 62k matching the Vin with the correct name Torino.
I believe this is a fraud one listed.
Careful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’n
one step up is the SCJ? Add the ‘fastback’ for another step? May B I’m
talkin another year’s?
Back then may B 6 sub-models to choose (coup, sedan, FB, notch back [this], waggy, chero), may B 4 transmissions, likewise 4 – 6 motors… not today.
Wages were inline w/products – the co.s tried to wooo (WoW!) the dollars away; now it aint so.
Step up?? The HT list price was $25 higher than fastback. Racers preferred as they were a few pounds lighter. SCJ was same 335Hp engine with a stronger bottom end, available in either body style as a option.
Ford advertised the 1969 cars as Cobra, plain, simple, period. In ’70/’71 Ford did hang the Torino moniker on the Cobra.
Yeah, then you got some body sayin they had a 1969 Fairlane Cobra. That’s a good one too.
This car brings back memories. In 1968 my BIL and sister got a new Torino GT in this exact color combo with a 289HO and 4-speed. I was 11 at the time but really liked that car.
Being as the only 289 option in ’68 was a 2bbl regular fuel engine, I’d love to see that
Yeah, 289HO? No such animal. The 289 was on it’s way out in 68 as the 302 was coming out and replaced 289 by the spring of 1968. 289 HIGH PERFOMANCE was long gone by then.
Well he won races at the dragstrip in it so I guess his little two barrel was quick enough. And yes I know that the 289 was going out at the time but the car was a GT with a four speed
they where great cars also bought one new in 1968 Torino gt fast back 390 4 speed great car
I had a 69 hard top – great car!
The steering wheel is from 1968 model also the front door panels
look like from a GT model not the cobra. .
Ad seems to have been pulled off the face of EBay land