This week’s find at the Pavilions Rock ‘n Roll Car Show is a 1970 Ford Torino Cobra. It’s arguably the most popular mid-size muscle Ford of the era. Built to do battle with the Plymouth Road Runner, the Torino Cobra cost a little more than the Mopar but also came with more substantial power thanks to a standard 360-horsepower 429. That was 25 horsepower more than the standard engine used by the Road Runner, but the really impressive part of the story was the 480 ft-lb of torque.
Optional was the 370-horse 429 Cobra Jet, which was available in standard form and also available with a Shaker hood scoop. Add the Drag Pack to either CJ and you’d end up with the 375-horse Super Cobra Jet, which consisted of beefed-up components for durability, Holley carb, external oil cooler, and 3.91 or 4.30 gears.
A whole host of colors and interiors were available for the Cobra, as well as other mid-size Fords, from the Fairlane 500 (later to be joined by the 1970½ Falcon) to the Torino Brougham. In respect to this 1970 Torino Cobra, it’s the trim combination that caught my attention. Painted Bright Gold metallic, it is one of 479 built in this color.
However, take a peek inside and you’ll notice this Torino Cobra has the Blazer Stripe (sometimes called “Spectrum Stripe”) bench seat. This cloth and vinyl interior, available in Ginger or Red, was available on several Torino models in 1970. Out of those 479 cars, only 41 were built with the Ginger Blaze Stripe cloth bench seat.
Even better, this Torino Cobra is in the hands of its original owner. Bought off the lot in metropolitan Phoenix, this car featured the standard 429 backed by a four-speed manual. Over time, a friend was parting out a car with a 429 CJ, so the owner added that and the Shaker hood. Otherwise, it’s pretty much true to original as you see here.
Is it for sale?
f so, what is the price? Did I not read carefully?
It is a car at a show in the hands of the original owner.
Man that a nice car. Beautiful design.
I have the old Car and Driver test of a 70 Torino SCJ somewhere in a box. I recall it weighed something like 4200 lbs.
I looked at one of these to buy. It was an original Super Cobra Jet Drag Pack car. It was really nice but I couldn’t get past the long trunk line of this car. I love the body shape until you get to the rear windows, beyond that the elongated trunk was a deal breaker for me.
Sweet ride and very powerful, for those days.
The owner of this Torono also has a GT350H Shelby Mustang as well.