69 and 70 Ford Cobra's, what's in a name?

[xb-60]

Firstly, welcome to Club Cobra.
My comment on your question….. surely a 429 Cobra Jet engine doesn’t turn a Torino into a Cobra?

Cheers!
Glen

[70 Cobra 429]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Firstly, welcome to Club Cobra.
My comment on your question….. surely a 429 Cobra Jet engine doesn’t turn a Torino into a Cobra?

Cheers!
Glen

Thanks Glenn, to answer your question, they were their own model, separate to the Torino and Fairlane in 69 and some of that crept into the early build 70's. They're obviously not the same as say a Shelby Cobra but Ford considered them Cobra's, hence the early advertising referring to them as such. Heck, if Ford wanted to release a 4 cyl Cortina and call it a Cobra, it's a Cobra, its just a different Cobra.

There were more subtle differences between the Torino and the Cobra, I believe the fender extensions are different for one but yeah, overall there doesn't appear to be much different between Cobra and Torino except trim and the Cobra Jet 429.

Its possibly just semantics and a curiosity but if Ford considered them Cobras, at least initially, then is that what they are?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 70 Cobra 429

Thanks Glenn, to answer your question, they were their own model, separate to the Torino and Fairlane in 69 and some of that crept into the early build 70's. They're obviously not the same as say a Shelby Cobra but Ford considered them Cobra's, hence the early advertising referring to them as such. Heck, if Ford wanted to release a 4 cyl Cortina and call it a Cobra, it's a Cobra, its just a different Cobra.

There were more subtle differences between the Torino and the Cobra, I believe the fender extensions are different for one but yeah, overall there doesn't appear to be much different between Cobra and Torino except trim and the Cobra Jet 429.

Its possibly just semantics and a curiosity but if Ford considered them Cobras, at least initially, then is that what they are?

The Torino "Cobra" was a sub trim model offering only and not a separate automobile. The body (in 1969 and again in 1970) panels (2dr) were interchangeable between sub models. Grills and trim were different, but hood, trunk, doors, fenders, roof, bumpers, glass, and quarter panels were all interchangeable.

Bill S.
Retired bodyshop owner

[Ron61]

Hi,

I have a special ordered 1969 Cobra that has some things the other 69s never had. They were mostly made from 68 Fairlane bodies that were shipped to Holman Moody to do the aero work on. I could feel the weld seems under the paint where they changes some of the stuff and rounded off the panels. The only reason I even knew about them was the Ford dealer here was a friend of mine and he could special order one so I got it. So far as I can find out and this may be incorrect I am the only original owner of one as any others sold have changed hands , been destroyed, or have been highly restored to above what they came from the factory as. For some reason Ford wouldn't let them make reproductions of the ram air system like mine has and only a few came with the finned aluminum valve covers that have the Cobra stamped into them. Ford was supposed to sell 5,000 of them to get them certified for NASCAR but I think there was some creative paper work concerning that number as the registry which is only 3 pages long doesn't show that number being sold.

Ron

Ron