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Quilted Classic! 1970 Ford Torino GT Cobra 429

Often we feature cars that present an honest, story-telling patina (the most overused automotive word of the past five years?) that some owners choose to preserve as part of the car’s unique history. Whether you appreciate patina or not, I hope we all agree that this 1970 Ford Torino GT Cobra definitely needs a paint job. Located in Celina, Ohio, this formerly fearsome Ford awaits a reserve-satisfying bid here on eBay.

The patchwork quilt of replaced doors, hood, and trunk suggests either someone in the recent past planned to restore this car, or simply used their surplus of Torino parts to encourage a higher sale price. I tip my hat to the seller, who included many under-car pictures.

The listing’s only engine compartment picture and suggests a lengthy hiatus since the this vehicle last propelled itself, and also minimal deviation from stock. The VIN decoder at grantorinosport.org, confirms that this true Torino GT Cobra left Ford in Lorain, Ohio with the 360 HP “N” Code “Thunder Jet” 429, one of three 429 engines available in 1970. Thanks to myclassicgarage.com for some details. Sadly the seller ran out of film before depicting interior and the rest of the engine compartment.

The deep dent in the left front fender suggests probable replacement on the path to Restorationland. Ten dollars says closing a bright light in the trunk at night creates a dazzling display of pinholes, a thousand little stars, each demanding to be extinguished before paint. The 1970 and 1971 Torinos are my favorites, especially with the hidden headlights. While I might lust for a four-speed instead of this car’s automatic, no doubt the 429 provides plenty of thrust with any transmission. Assuming the car’s resume checks out, what would you give for this quilted Cobra?

Comments

  1. Avatar DG

    It always amazes me how expensive the 70-71 Torinos are. They weren’t nearly as popular as the competitors from GM, Mopar. Maybe that’s why?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ed

      The reason they are expensive is not a lot of after market support for replacement parts. I know from experience. So they can be frustrating and expensive to restore.Not as popular as mustang of same vintage but I believe 70 and 71 Torino cobra were 8 and 9th top ten muscle cars as tested from factory.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar John Newell

    They were ungainly looking heavy brutes in their day and don’t look much better now. Lots of extra metal to be hauled around.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Matt Trummer

      John these monsters were designed for Nascar thus the reason for its size to compete with Mopar Superbirds. Back in my highschool days a good friend acquired a black beauty that I wished I had. Stunningly gorgeous.

      Like 1
  3. Avatar Classic Steel

    The N code is a 429 thunderjet but not R code that is coveted !

    I had a 70 thunderjet convert with gt package and hidden headlights etc.

    Sell I reasonable price and let someone put it back in the road !

    I don’t see the shock towers as a 429 has monstrous ones but maybe it’s on the other site!

    This car needs 20 grand of work to bring back!

    Ohio makes good rusted cancer patients all the time so cautious folks !

    Like 0
    • Avatar Classic Steel

      Funny or sad ending story the person who bought mine shipped to the West Coast and wanted to take the daily driver to restore but put a trashed R coded vins on the car . I learned it later as the person sent pictures of the restoration or I might say alterations 😣

      Like 0
    • Avatar CATHOUSE

      There were zero 1970-1971 Torinos built with an R code engine. In 1970 the R code was for the 428CJ/SCJ, an engine that was not available in a 1970 Torino. In 1971 the R code was for the Boss 351 engine, an engine not available in a 1971 Torino. For a 1970-1971 Torino most people looking for high performance would be looking for at least a C code or even better a J code engine.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar gbvette62

    I’m not a Ford guy, but I grew up with this era of cars, and I’m pretty sure there was a Torino GT, and a Torino Cobra, but not a Torino GT Cobra.

    The 70 Torino GT was more of a dressy trim package, and came with a 302 2bbl standard. Assorted 351’s and 429’s were available as options on the GT. The Cobra was a more basic performance model, intended to compete with the Road Runner, but did come standard with a 429. This appears to be a Cobra, but considering how many parts it seems to be assembled from, who really knows? I’d sure like to see a Marti Report on this car.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Matt Trummer

    John these monsters were designed for Nascar thus the reason for its size to compete with Mopar Superbirds. Back in my highschool days a good friend acquired a black beauty that I wished I had. Stunningly gorgeous.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Classic Steel

    Notice cobra 🐍 features of four speed abs this is automatic (prob triptomatic heavy duty but not four speed)

    I think we have multiple pieces of a car here

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Classic Steel

    Four speed more granular for 🐍🐍🐍🐍cobra

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Troy s

    The various paint colors makes it easier to figure out what you would like.
    These are great looking mid sized Ford’s, although they are nearly as big as some full sized cars from the early to mid sixties, and if it had a 429 super cobra jet under the hood it would be an absolute screamer. The thunder jet version was a lamb compared to the two high compression 429’s, but anymore I just enjoy seeing a Ford muscle car that isn’t a Mustang.

    Like 0
    • Avatar whmracer99

      Learned to drive in a CobraJet Torino. Super car in a straight line but in today’s world would probably be out-cornered by most mini-vans. Big heavy car with minuscule tires (by today’s standards) and rudimentary aerodynamics that would cause the front end to lift at high speeds made for an interesting ride when driven quickly but the motor — oh that was a great thing for a teenager to have under his right foot. My dad’s 1970 had the CobraJet motor with the quadrajet carb, auto, bench seat, a/c, in-dash tack, etc., and he used it as his commuter vehicle. Ended up being folded up in a ditch by my younger brother in the early 80’s when these were nothing but old junky cars so off to the junk yard it went.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Troy s

        Sad ending to a great story! Love to hear the experiences that people had with these cars back when they were nothing more than fun cheap thrills, unlike today where it’s all about the dollar.
        I have a strong hunch very very few of these were built with the solid lifter, Holley carburetor super cobra jet 429, but yeah, handling were not one of the strong points, this body didn’t work out all that well on the faster stock car tracks either. Ford was gone from racing soon enough anyways.

        Like 0
  9. Avatar KSwheatfarmer

    Had one just like this. First car I owned that would do a proper burn out.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar wes

    Man o man that would be sweet settin on logs in my front yard, right down at the mailbox!

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Rob S.

    I’d rather have the 1970 boss 302 sitting next to it! !

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Dalelong

    What is the going rate for this. I had the same car but sadly hurricane Hugo dropped a 200 year old oak tree.on it. Flattened out like a crusher would. I still have all the cobra jets parts to rebuild including headlight assembly, windows, window tracks and all the interior minus seats. Would love to get and build back as good as my last one.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Dalelong

    Just looking at this again. The hood is not right for a cobra jets Torino. The came with a shaker scoop and hole in hood that formed a water tight seal when closed.

    Like 0
    • Avatar whmracer99

      Our car had a blacked-out hood without the shaker but with the hood locks. Think the shaker was an option on the CobraJet and came stock with the Super CobraJet engine option. I don’t remember our hood being flat like this the one in this ad — it was scalloped like the one in the attached picture.

      Like 0
  14. Avatar Mike

    My name is Mike and I just got me a Torino GT cobra drag pack some people says it’s not but if you look at it you can tell has a super cobra jet engine code on heads are dooe r 1971 ladder bars nodular rear oil cooler cobra dash all original

    Like 0

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