After 1970, the muscle car era wound down quickly, and it must have felt like a letdown at the time. Although it was still possible to buy a reasonable performance car through 1974 or so, or maybe even a few years beyond, a new set of priorities meant that cars like this 1971 Torino Cobra would become thin on the ground. Luckily, the Cobra was around for one last go-round for 1971, and this running project on eBay in Sykesville, Maryland, might be a good starting point for anyone who prefers their muscle car to have a little Blue Oval background. The current high bid is $6,599.99, which has not yet met the reserve.

The Cobra was downgraded a bit in the engine bay for 1971, as the previously standard 429 four barrel became an extra-cost option. In its place was this still-potent M-Code 351 Cleveland four barrel, which had a 10.7:1 compression ratio and 285 horsepower. This car’s C6 automatic was optional, and while the engine is running (as you can see in this video), it will need some fuel system work. Still, the engine sounds healthy enough that you shouldn’t have to worry about a complete rebuild or anything that adventurous. The Cobra has a few modifications, such as a 750 cfm Holley replacing its original Autolite 4300, but it looks mostly stock.

The Cobra was originally released as Ford’s Road Runner competitor, a budget supercar, and those origins show in this basic black vinyl interior. The seller says that the interior “looks complete and in fair condition”; at the very least, you’ll need a new carpet. Also, this is clearly a lightly optioned car; the engine compartment photo shows no air conditioning or power brakes, although the seller does say that the front brakes are discs.

The ad mentions that the paint on this “Grabber Orange” Torino “appears original,” but at the very least the car’s had some dubious collision repair if the mountains of flaking body filler on the passenger quarter panel have anything to say about it.

Being a Ford unibody car, one might expect to see some rust, but it’s not as bad as it could be. Although that sounds like damning with faint praise, this trunk floor is easily savable with some judicious patching.

The floors “look original and in fair condition,” although some of the seams and even previous repairs tell us that a little more work with the cutters and welders may be in order.

Make no mistake, this muscle-era Ford needs a restoration, as even a rehabilitation as a driver will require something to be done about that passenger quarter panel. Luckily, early ’70s Torinos are popular enough that it might make financial sense if the price is right, and even if the new owner does end up underwater when all is said and done, at least they’ll be riding in a pretty cool Cobra.