West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and beautiful example of this originally San Jose, California built 1970 Ford Torino 429/370HP 4 BBL Cobra Jet Non-Ram Air V8 2 door Sportsroof Hardtop coupe southern California owner car with a rebuilt replacement 460 block matched to a 4 speed manual Hurst shifter transmission. Built on 9/23/1969 in the San Jose, CA plant with a Marti Report to confirm the original specs and which was originally sold including the following factory options:
429 4V Cobra Jet Non-Ram Air V8 engine (replaced with a period correct 460 built block)
C-6 Select Shift Automatic Transmission (a $39 option but later upgraded to 4 spd manual close-ratio "Toploader" designed for high-torque and quick shifts, further supported by Hurst linkage)
Console,
Shaker Hood with recessed twist-lock pins,
Tachometer,
Bucket Seats,
Power steering,
Power front disc brakes,
Tinted glass,
Visibility Light Group,
AM Radio,
Air conditioning - Selectaire,
Dual Rear Seat Speakers
Tinted Glass - Complete,
3.00 Standard Axle Ratio (upgraded to Posi)
Color Keyed Racing Mirrors
and ordered in it's striking original 'Red' factory color paint combination with a matching 'Red' Knit Vinyl Bucket Seats interior.
Please note that the car now has a rebuilt replacement period correct 460 block with the following upgrades:
2-bolt main block, vatted, magnaflux checked for cracks, thermal cleaned, steelabrated, bored and honed and plateau honed to fit new pistons
Hydraulic flat tappet high performance cam
Closed chamber 75cc heads with 2.245"Int/1.744"Exh Cobra Jet size stainless swirl polished valves with undercut stems to improve flow
Both heads resurfaced to ensure a good leak free seal
Screw-in studs and guide plates
Hardened exhaust seats for use with leaded or unleaded fuel
1.440" high performance springs set up to match cam
Spiral-type valve guides for better oil retention
High temperature valves seals
Hardened push rods
Adjustable roller tip rocker arms
Perfect Circle rings
Double row timing set
Oil pump with steel drive shaft and bolt on oil pickup tube
Brass expansion plugs
Aluminum intake manifold
750 CFM carb
400 HP (reported)
Rebuilt top loader 4 speed
Posi traction rear end 3:70
The largest-displacement 385 engine, the 460 was developed as the successor for the 462 MEL V8 and the 390 FE/FT V8. From 1968 to 1971, the 460 was rated at 365 gross hp. Succeeding the FE engine family, Ford developed multiple high-performance versions of the 385 engine family from 1969 to 1971, all based on the 429. Sharing a 4.36-inch bore with the 429, the 460 was designed with a 3.85-inch stroke. This particualr 460 engine has mostly NOS replacement parts used during the restoration as available with the entire engine, engine compartment, drivetrain, rear end, all interior components (except AC registers), and trunk items replaced or restored.
In 1970 the Torino's had a new design from Ford that netted Motor Trend's prestigious 'Car of the Year' honors and it is not hard to see why the car won this prestigious award. Most Torino's were conventional cars, and generally the most popular models were the 4-door sedans and 2-door hardtops. However, Ford produced some high-performance versions of the Torino by fitting them with large powerful engines, such as the 428 cu in and 429 cu in "Cobra-Jet" engines. ln 1970 the newly designed 370HP 429 cubic inch V8 replaced the previous years 428 Cobra Jet as the top Torino high performance engine option. The top option was the 429 SCJ (Super Cobra Jet), rated at 375 hp (yes only 5 HP extra!) and was part of the "Drag Pack" option. Selecting the "Drag Pack" option turned a 429 CJ into a 429 SCJ. The 1970 Torino Cobra FB only came in the Sportsroof Hardtop coupe form and pricing started at over $3,800!
The 429 CJ (Cobra Jet) engine was rated at 370 hp and included a 2-bolt main block, hydraulic lifters, a 700 CFM Holley or 715 CFM Rochester Quadrajet carburetor, and was available with or without Ram Air. Ford chose the Torino as the base for its NASCAR entrants, and it had a successful racing heritage. The "Detroit Locker" rear differential was included when the 4.30:1 axle was ordered while the "Traction-Lock" limited-slip differential was included with the 3.91:1 axle. Ram Air induction was optional on the 351C-4V, 429 CJ and 429 SCJ, but Ram Air did not change the advertised power ratings. The Ram Air option included a "shaker hood" where the scoop was attached to the top of the air cleaner assembly, and protruded through a hole in the hood. A 3-speed transmission was standard on all models except for the Cobra which came with a 4-speed as standard equipment. The Cruise-O-Matic was optional for all engines, as surprisingly and rarely originally ordered for this particular car, while the 4-speed transmission was available on all engines except the six and the 302-2V.
The Torino Cobra remained the top performance model was only available as a SportsRoof, and came standard with a 4-speed close ratio transmission (unless specially ordered with the C-6 automatic as was this particular car when new), Hurst shifter, competition suspension, flat black hood and grille, 7-inch-wide wheels, F70-14 tires with raised white letters, twist style exposed hood latches and "Cobra" emblems. New options included 15" Magnum 500 wheels and flat black "Sport Slats" for the rear window (both also available on the Torino GT). Performance was strong even though the Torino was heavier for 1970. Motor Trend tested a 1970 Torino Cobra equipped with the Ram Air 370 hp 429 CJ, C-6 automatic and 3.50:1 rear axle, and it went from 0 - 60 mph in 6.0 seconds while taking 14.5 seconds at 100 mph to go through the quarter mile. Motor Trend wrote "The weight obviously helped traction, as it was fairly easy to accelerate away from a standing start with only a modicum of wheelspin."
This car has the legendary 429 4 BBL Cobra Jet 370HP Non-Ram Air V8 engine having been long replaced with a 460 rebuilt engine now more desirably matched to the 4 speed manual transmission and the car has its original 'Red' factory color paint and shows no signs of ever having been in any accidents or had any history of any rust ever. The car was obviously always diligently serviced and has been fully restored as required.
It is an absolutely stunningly mostly all original example and is a text book example of an always cherished car since new. The car starts, runs and drives as it must have when new! The original 'Red' color paint is in quite exceptional condition and still shines beautifully and the interior is also in absolutely exceptional condition throughout. The car's original spare wheel and jack are also still in the trunk as seen in the photos below.
This particular car must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - the rebuilt 460 engine is extremely strong and responsive with excellent oil pressure and no leaks, the upgraded 4 speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool.
This must be one of the nicest rust & accident free and mostly all original examples available anywhere of this increasingly collectible and desirable all American classic muscle car, an original 1970 Ford Torino Cobra Sportsroof Hardtop coupe with a rebuilt 460 block matched to a 4 speed manual transmission with 'Hurst' shifter and desirable factory options including PS, Power Front Disc Brakes, AC, console & bucket seats, shaker hood, and the recipient of a recent nut and bolt restoration all in turn-key ready daily driving, daily head-turning, and daily appreciating condition!
