69 Ford Torino Cobra

[Hemi Moose]

[Marty Burke]

Paul,
I have not seen a documented 1968 Ram Air Torino, Fairlane or Ranchero.
All 1968.5 ones I have seen are non-ram air cars
Don't forget in 1968 Ford Mustang literature {produced in the summer of 1967}
list a 427 as an option, none were ever made

[Paul Ceasrine]

Marty,

I believe you are correct.
Only 428/335 HP 'Q' Code (non Ram-Air) are the only cars that I have found
for the 68 Ranchero.

The one that ran at the 1968 AHRA Winternationals was a non Ram-Air
Ranchero.

pc

[Rory McNeil]

I think that much of the confusion concerning whether a 69 Cobra is a "Torino" or a "Fairlane" is due to nameplate badging and what people assume they were looking at when these cars were new. When the new intermediate sized Fairlane came out in 1962, all trim levels were called Fairlanes, however in 1968, the high trim level package was named a Torino, and since the basic Fairlane and Torino looked the same to most people, many assumed they were all the same. Since the 69 Torino & the Fairlane had different grilles (among other things), and that the 428CJ was available in both models, the confusion increases. A 69 Cobra uses the Fairlane grill, which is quite different than the Torino version, and the Cobra had a plainer Fairlane interior as standard equipment, so technically, I suppose is more a "Fairlane" than a "Torino". However, having owned 2 69 Cobra Sportsroof (fastback) with R code 428CJ Ram Air engines, I can say that there is no Fairlane or Torino badging anywhere on either car. In that post that Hemi Moose posted of the Cobra from the 1969 Ford Performance Digest , the Cobras are listed as just "Ford Cobras". Not a Fairlane or a Torino. The next year, (1970) Ford started calling the mid sized performance car a Torino Cobra , and by 1971, the Fairlane name was dropped altogether, so the confusion is easy to understand. Remember, the Cobra was meant to be a low dollar performance car, to compete with the Road Runner, & Super Bee. The 428 Cobra Jet , with or without ram air, was the only engine available in a Cobra, while the sportier looking Torino GT was available with a 2 barrel 302, 2 or 4 barrel 351`s, 390, OR the 428 CJ.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Rory,

Thanks for the explanation,
So the 1969 Ford Cobra came with the 'plain-jane' Fairlane
interior as standard equipment..
But, the higher-grade interior could be ordered as an option...???

Also, bucket seats were a required option for the 'hardtop coupe',
but not for the 'Fastback Sportsoof' car.

That car, one confusing vehicle,,,,,,,,,even in the brochures...

[Rory McNeil]

Paul, yes, you could get the 69 Cobra plain or fancy with options. My 2 Cobras were about as opposite as you could get. The blue car was a plain jane, black vinyl bench seat, manual steering & manual drum brakes, with a 4 speed. My gold car had the bucket seats, console, P.S., power disc . brakes, A/C and an automatic with 3.00 gears. According to my Ford "History 999" report, the blue cars rim blow steering wheel was factory installed, must have been annoying with the manual steering..
As for bucket seats being standard on sedans, but not fastbacks, thats a new one to me, but who knows.
One thing I never figured out was why some 69 Cobras the hood scoops painted body color, while others were semi gloss black. For that matter, I have seen the Shaker scoops on 70-71 Cudas painted body color, black, or a rough textured silver -gray finish. Anybody explain that?

[Paul Ceasrine]

Rory,

In the Standard Catalog for American Cars,
The bucket seats and center-console were a required option
on the 1968 Ford Fairlane/Torino Cobra (for the 'Hardtop Coupe' only).
Cost; $54

And 4.10 Gears were available, but only 'dealer installed'.

Also, the 'Competition Suspension Package' was a required option on the 69' Ford Cobra and 68' Cars with the 428 Cobra-Jet engine.
Which included;
* 15/16" Front sway-bar
* Special Heavy-duty springs
* Special Heavy-duty shocks
* F70 x 14" tires

As opposed to the 'GT Suspension Package'
Which included;
* 7/8" Front sway-bar
* Heavy-duty springs
* Heavy-duty shocks
* E70 x 14" tires

Other options;
* Body side accent stripe ($14)
* Electric clock ($16)
* Dual-note horn ($7)
* Color-keyed dual racing-style outside mirrors ($19)
* Power Disc-brakes (11.25") ($65)
* Power-steering ($100)
* Deluxe rim-blow steering wheel ($35)
* AM/FM Radio with dual rear speakers ($181)
* Competition Suspension Package ($54)
* 6000 RPM Tachometer ($48)

[Paul Ceasrine]

Direct from a 'Ford Guru',

1969 Model Year

To avoid confusion, Ford Dealerships recognized them as 1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra's.

Approximately 14,000 of these cars were produced.

On the 1968 Ford Fairlane/Torino Cobra 428 CJ
'bucket seats and the center console' were a required option
on the 'Hardtop Coupe' only.
(Cost $54)

The 1969 Ford Cobra, bench seats were standard equipment
on both models (Hardtop Coupe and SportsRoof).

The seats could be ordered with standard cloth/vinyl, or vinyl.
Bucket seats and center-console were optional.

Exterior trim;
The 69' 'Hardtop Coupe', the rear fascia is the same as those
found on the Fairlanes.

The 69' 'SportsRoof', the rear fascia exhibit the same tail-lamp/
panel design as those found on the upscale Torino's.

Hence, the general populance called the 'Hardtop Coupe' a Fairlane Cobra,
and the 'SportsRoof' model a Torino Cobra.

The 69' Cobra had a 'blacked-out grille', and locking hood-pins.

Chromed Cobra emblems on the front fender, behind the front wheel openings. (early 69' Cobra's featured Cobra decals), and a
Cobra emblem on the right side of the trunk deck-lid.

The 69' Cobra 428 (Q-Code non Ram-Air Flat-hood car) had a red '428' fender badge, affixed to front fender, just behind the front side-markers.

The 69' Cobra 428 (R-Code Ram-Air Hood-scoop car) had a
'Cobra-Jet 428' emblem mounted on each side of the hood scoop.

[Rich Erickson]

69 428CJ 1974 G/SA NHRA record holder

[Rich Erickson]

Originally Posted by Rich Erickson

69 428CJ 1974 G/SA NHRA record holder

Clyde Birch - Chippewa Falls, WI