If you’re looking for a classic muscle car that’s both rare and ready to impress, this 1970 Ford Torino Cobra might be the heavyweight champion you’ve been searching for. Listed here on craigslist and located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, this all-original example comes with a numbers-matching 429 K-code engine, a four-speed manual transmission, and a Marti Report to back it all up. The seller claims the paint is flawless and the interior is excellent, calling this a “showroom car inside and out.” No issues are reported, making this one of the cleaner big-block Torinos we’ve seen in a while.
By 1970, Ford had redesigned the Torino into a sleeker, more aggressive fastback, and the Cobra variant was the hottest of the bunch. The real treat here is under the hood: the 429 cubic inch Thunder Jet V8, which in K-code spec was good for 360 horsepower. Paired with the factory four-speed and a performance-tuned chassis, this Torino Cobra offered serious muscle-car credentials without the brand premium of a Mustang or Chevelle SS. These were legitimate street beasts, often underappreciated compared to their better-known GM and Mopar rivals.
This particular car’s condition sets it apart even further. While photos weren’t included in the listing we saw, the description paints a strong picture: flawless exterior paint and an interior that remains in excellent shape, suggesting careful preservation or a very thorough restoration. The seller also notes the car is completely numbers-matching—always a plus for collectors, and that the Marti Report is available, which should verify how it left the factory and its original option list.
Torino Cobras don’t come up for sale very often in this kind of condition, especially with all-original mechanicals and the top-spec powertrain. If you’ve always wanted a blue-oval muscle car that’s a little less common than a Mach 1 or Boss Mustang—but just as capable—this one might be worth checking out.
Wow. Here’s one for Ford fans..
The 4sp is icing on the cake. Too cool. 😎 🏁
Not commonly seen, especially in good condition. These were cool muscle cars. That wheeled Cobra decal graced the bulletin board in my bedroom as a kid. Period-correct colors. The base hub caps and the plain black interior give it a no-nonsense look. Wonder why the seller didn’t provide a pic of the Marti Report. Not cheap, but lots to like here.
Nice find Elizabeth!
Definitely!
I missed the price in the writeup, Bob said not cheap, so $20,000? And something does not look right to me, maybe a Torino Cobra expert can correct me. The 429 emblem on the front fender is in the wrong place, should be down low below the crease about 2.5 inches from the very bottom. And that would make the COBRA decal in the wrong place. Anyone agree with me? But would be a fun car to drive on a Saturday nite.
I am not a Torino expert either but to me the black on the hood and the shaker looks too shiny. I thought that it should be more of a semi gloss than full gloss. I also thought that the taillight bezels on the Cobra were black and not chrome. Maybe an actual Torino expert will chime in.
Yes the hood paint is too shiny on mine it the hood was flat black. The taillight bezels on mine were like these chrome. I also noticed that the mufflers are not stock. It looks like the distributer is not stock, it looks like a SCJ distributer with the double vacuum ports. They didn’t come with chrome valve covers, but they look great.
On my Torino the 429 emblem was below the lower fender line and the Cobra decal was above the fender line. Not saying this wrong just where mine were. Sure wish I had it back.
Oh man, this freakin’ thing, 360 HP,ha ha ha,,oh, mercy. You know, how do you explain what it was like in 1970, to someone who was a gleam in their parents eyes, this was as bad as it got. 454 Chevelle made its debut, Boss Mustangs, 401 Javelins, and I haven’t even got to Mopar. It must have been a tough choice, and get this, all for $3671, yep, the 429 was over $360 bucks alone. I mean,,diddly diddly, how can anyone compare the times and why it’s so sad to see them go. $70 grand, think about that for a sec. I realize, for some that are used to these kinds of prices, and $8 bundles of firewood,, it may not be so shocking, but it’s just a car folks, just like it was in 1970 for $3600 bucks. And don’t give me this “adjusted for inflation” baloney, I say, it was a lot easier coming up with $3600 bucks in 1970, than $70 grand today. It’s just a darned shame, that price will limit buyers that would like to experience the most awesome musclecar to come down the pike, but can’t. I hope these peoples greed comes back to haunt them, that’s right, I say it sucks, who’s with me?
BTW, the 429 CJ was rumored to be closer to 450hp, but they couldn’t say that.
you said it all Greed sad.
Umm..that’s a base Thunderjet with a shaker..it’s a J-code..the K would probably be for Kansas>The CJ did had a K-number but it was never used as the engine code.Iguess the owner is trying to get 70K for a 40K car but tossing in a popular Mustang letter..K :P
You are right, there is no K-code engine listed for 1970 or 1971 Torino’s. The 360 horsepower would be a Thunder Jet, not a Cobra Jet. This is why you put the Marti Report in the ad, it will help you sell the car if it shows rare performance option. It will also help kill interest if the asking price doesn’t match potential buyers expectations.
The Hurst shifter is wrong, it’s missing the $300 factory T-handle, the shifter boot and trim ring are generic speed shop items, it doesn’t have CJ valve covers, id also be surprised if it showed a shaker from the factory, for $69,900 it should have a CJ and more of the correct pieces. It’s a good looking car, but hard to see it bringing the asking price.
Steve R
I’m not a Ford guy at all, but after my brother fell into one of these in top dog form, 429 SCJ 4 spd with the drag pack, I was under the impression that this may be the same. If so, I believe there were only about 1100ish made? Again, the Marti report will tell the tale and should be shown if the seller wants to show the value.
Ooop..derp on me..N-Code..i shouldnt type when i’m sleepy..LOL
Nick, the VIN will tell you which engine it came with, the Marti report will too, but is more important for other option which aren’t shown elsewhere. Since the seller says it has a 360 horsepower 429 and the current engine is clearly not a 429SCJ I’m not going to question that part of their ad.
Steve R
The stock Hurst T handle was stolen from my ’70 Mach1 in my high school shop class. Instructor couldn’t have cared less. 1979
Sweet!! I would think it has been re-painted. I like the louvers, but i know a lot of people do not.
N code is Thunder Jet which is the smaller 429 engine
Nice looking car
Beautiful looking Cobra Jet but…. fender name tags wrong place.i guess they were in a rush to get in on the market. Also valve covers are wrong. The 4 speed shifter is wrong also. If your going to ask $70,000 large ones you better get everything correct! I seen a calypso orange one for sale beautiful also for $49,000. I am a Mopar guy but love Cobra Jet Torinos. Nice full size brute of a ride. Buyer beware…🐻🇺🇸
Very Nice, but to my knowledge there is no K code 429. A great find, but I owned one for 15 years, and have some info to share:
The top dog CJ Ram Air was a J code; The Drag Pack option can only be confirmed with a genuine Marti Report. The N code 429 could be found in other Ford products as well. This car has had a repaint. Shiny black hood and trim are incorrect. Decal and emblem placement is incorrect. Ram Air hood was added on. Shifter should be a silver-colored Hurst T-handle. Wheel arch moldings are missing. Wheel trim rings missing. Chromed rocker covers are incorrect.
Not meaning to pick it apart… just sharing some info for a potential buyer to consider.
PL your not nick, picking the vehicle, you are sharing what is wrong. For $70,000 everything should be correct. Like I said before buyer beware.🙄
This car is worth nowhere near the asking price. Do your research…this is a waste of everyone’s time.
No it’s not, many cars on this site are over priced, others have limited appeal, it’s nice to see a broad spectrum of cars featured. If something doesn’t interest me, for whatever reason I skip it, a new writeup will be posted at the tip of the next hour.
Steve R
Raising my hand here! Practically grew up in my Dads Jcode Cobra it’s now owned by a brother.The car hasn’t seen the road in years but I will tell you horsepower ratings were higher than advertised.We had many fast cars but the “Snake” would whoop butt! Obvious quick and short resto on this car,yes hood and shaker should be flat black and decals,don’t have room for it but would like to blast it down the quarter-mile for tester!
There is a Torino and there is a Cobra. There is no “Torino Cobra.” The Cobra was intended to be a stripped down competitor to cars like the Road Runner and Super Bee. The Torino was more upscale, like a GTO, 442, SS Chevelle, etc. It may be the same body, but it is technically a different car. Either way, this is a nice one.
The confusion started with the introduction of the Torino name in ’68. They still called the base model Fairlane, the upscale model was Torino…
In Ford’s advertising parlance in ’69, The Cobra was just that, a Cobra.
Service manuals generally referred to all itinerations as Fairlanes.
In 1970, most OEM literature referred to it as a Torino Cobra.
This is one ugly one and should have an 8v, front spoiler all from summit to top it off. I’ll take the tire rims
nice car but the blackout on the hood should not be gloss black. what is with those bolts sticking through the floor? are seat bolts? something don’t look right with that
I’m no Ford expert, however I believe the front fenders (where they bolt to the inner fender aprons should be body color, not black. As previously said, if they want all the money, the car should be close to perfect.
Yes, lots of things don’t add up. Not a real Cobra, or incorrectly restored. But it still is a very cool car that I wouldn’t mind having. Not worth 70k, though.
I’m not a Ford expert either BUT,They did build some great cars in the day AND were the KING of fastback styling.BAR NONE!
In 79 I had a 70′ GT with a 429 and in 81′ – 85′ I had a 71′ GT with a Boss 351 The 71′ was the real Hot rod. I still have the 48′ ford F-1 that I traded it for, but if I had it to do all over again, I’d still have that Torino. I’ve had a lot of muscle cars over the years, hands down, the most fun, was that Torino. A lot of tickets though . . .
Sorry this is an N code for a low perf 429. Same as the engine in the T-bird. Would make for a nice driver, but high perf was left to the C code or J code 429. Shakers were an option on all Torinos with the exception of of the F code cars. Nice car but asking 429 CJ money. Needs flat back hood to make it look correct.