Photo: jd355770/eBay
What's your favorite Ford engine from the golden muscle car era? Mine's the NASCAR-spec Boss 429, which was obviously offered in the limited-edition 'Stang with the same name. However, I can't go wrong with the Cobra Jet, which was more common but also more iconic.
Introduced in mid-1968, the original Cobra Jet was based on the FE-type V8. The 428-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) mill was rated 335 horsepower and 440-pound-feet (600 Nm) of torque and found its way into a variety of Ford and Mercury models.
The CJ-equipped Mustang is arguably the most popular, but this V8 also motivated the Torino and the Fairlane, as well as the Shelby GT500KR. Mercury dropped it in the Cougar and the Cyclone. In 1969, Mercury also offered a Cobra Jet-powered version of the Montego.
The 428 was discontinued in 1970, but the "Cobra Jet" badge did not disappear. Ford immediately launched a new version based on the 385-series V8. Displacing 429 cubic inches, this unit featured a Rochester Quadrajet carburetor and delivered notably more oomph at 370 horsepower.
Much like its predecessor, the 429 Cobra Jet was also available as a Super Cobra Jet with drag-spec goodies. In this case, the bundle came with a slight increase in oomph to 375 horses. In 1971, with the Malaise Era just around the corner, the 429 CJ was Ford's most potent powerplant.
The Mustang is obviously the most famous recipient of the 429 V8, but the unit was also offered in other vehicles. The Torino, for instance, got it as early as 1970, when the Mustang still used the 428 version. And it turned the Torino into one of the meanest, fastest muscle cars. The derelict example you see here is one of those cars.
Why am I talking about a weathered car that needs work with so many perfectly restored Torinos out there? Well, Cobra Jet cars are far from ordinary, and this one is solid enough to deserve a second chance.
Ford sold a whopping 230,411 Torinos in 1970, but this figure includes cars of all body styles and drivetrain configurations. I'm talking about seven body styles, four trim levels, and five engines (an inline-six and four V8s). Of these, only 7,675 left the assembly line with a Cobra Jet. That's only 3.3% of the total production.
The Marti Report it comes with says it's one of only 2,131 units with this drivetrain combo and one of only 179 with these paint/trim codes. It's scarce enough to deserve a makeover and more time on the road. Located in Floyd, Virginia, this Torino Cobra Jet looks like it has been sitting for a few years.
The paint has seen better days, and the black coating is not even original. This car left the factory in dark green based on the door jambs. The interior is dusty but complete, apart from the missing carpets. More importantly, the original Cobra Jet V8 is still under the hood, as is the four-speed manual.
Moreover, the seller claims Torino needs only an exhaust system and rear brakes to become drivable. This presumably means that the Cobra Jet unit still runs. If that's the case, this muscle car is a solid candidate for a restoration that won't break the bank. Bidding has reached $18,500 with three days to go. How much do you think this Torino is worth, and would you save it?
The CJ-equipped Mustang is arguably the most popular, but this V8 also motivated the Torino and the Fairlane, as well as the Shelby GT500KR. Mercury dropped it in the Cougar and the Cyclone. In 1969, Mercury also offered a Cobra Jet-powered version of the Montego.
The 428 was discontinued in 1970, but the "Cobra Jet" badge did not disappear. Ford immediately launched a new version based on the 385-series V8. Displacing 429 cubic inches, this unit featured a Rochester Quadrajet carburetor and delivered notably more oomph at 370 horsepower.
Much like its predecessor, the 429 Cobra Jet was also available as a Super Cobra Jet with drag-spec goodies. In this case, the bundle came with a slight increase in oomph to 375 horses. In 1971, with the Malaise Era just around the corner, the 429 CJ was Ford's most potent powerplant.
The Mustang is obviously the most famous recipient of the 429 V8, but the unit was also offered in other vehicles. The Torino, for instance, got it as early as 1970, when the Mustang still used the 428 version. And it turned the Torino into one of the meanest, fastest muscle cars. The derelict example you see here is one of those cars.
Why am I talking about a weathered car that needs work with so many perfectly restored Torinos out there? Well, Cobra Jet cars are far from ordinary, and this one is solid enough to deserve a second chance.
Ford sold a whopping 230,411 Torinos in 1970, but this figure includes cars of all body styles and drivetrain configurations. I'm talking about seven body styles, four trim levels, and five engines (an inline-six and four V8s). Of these, only 7,675 left the assembly line with a Cobra Jet. That's only 3.3% of the total production.
The Marti Report it comes with says it's one of only 2,131 units with this drivetrain combo and one of only 179 with these paint/trim codes. It's scarce enough to deserve a makeover and more time on the road. Located in Floyd, Virginia, this Torino Cobra Jet looks like it has been sitting for a few years.
The paint has seen better days, and the black coating is not even original. This car left the factory in dark green based on the door jambs. The interior is dusty but complete, apart from the missing carpets. More importantly, the original Cobra Jet V8 is still under the hood, as is the four-speed manual.
Moreover, the seller claims Torino needs only an exhaust system and rear brakes to become drivable. This presumably means that the Cobra Jet unit still runs. If that's the case, this muscle car is a solid candidate for a restoration that won't break the bank. Bidding has reached $18,500 with three days to go. How much do you think this Torino is worth, and would you save it?
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