This week’s find a 1970 Ford Torino Cobra at the Pavilions Rock ‘n Roll Car Show. Arguably the most popular mid-size muscle Ford of the era. Built to battle the Plymouth Road Runner, the Torino Cobra cost a little more than the Mopar, but made more power thanks to the standard 360-horsepower 429. That’s 25 horsepower more than the standard engine used by the Road Runner. , but the really impressive part of the story was the 480 ft-lbs of torque.
Optional was the 370-horsepower 429 Cobra Jet, which was available in regular form and with a Shaker hood. Add the Drag Pack to any CJ and you end up with the 375hp Super Cobra Jet, which consisted of increased parts for durability, a Holley carb, external oil cooler and 3.91 or 4.30 gears.
A range of colors and interiors were available for the Cobra, as well as other mid-size Fords, from the Fairlane 500 (later joined by the 1970½ Falcon) to the Torino Brougham. As for this 1970 Torino Cobra, it was the equipment combination that caught my eye. Painted in bright gold metal, one of only 479 made in this color.
However, take a look inside and you’ll notice that this Torino Cobra has Blazer Stripe (sometimes called “Spectrum Stripe”) bench seating. Available in Ginger or Red, this cloth and vinyl interior was available on several Torino models in 1970. Only 41 of these 479 cars were produced with Ginger Blaze Stripe cloth floors.
Even better, this Torino Cobra is in the hands of the original owner. The car purchased in metropolitan Phoenix had the standard 429 four-speed manual. Over time, a friend gave away a car with a 429 CJ, so the owner added that and the Shaker hood. Otherwise, it is pretty much true to the original as seen here.
