Vehicle Description
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 SpeakersTinted Glass -
Complete,3.00 Standard Axle Ratio (upgraded to Posi)Color Keyed
Racing Mirrorsand 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
pistonsHydraulic flat tappet high performance camClosed chamber
75cc heads with 2.245"Int/1.744"Exh Cobra Jet size stainless swirl
polished valves with undercut stems to improve flowBoth heads
resurfaced to ensure a good leak free sealScrew-in studs and guide
platesHardened exhaust seats for use with leaded or unleaded
fuel1.440" high performance springs set up to match camSpiral-type
valve guides for better oil retentionHigh temperature valves
sealsHardened push rodsAdjustable roller tip rocker armsPerfect
Circle ringsDouble row timing setOil pump with steel drive shaft
and bolt on oil pickup tubeBrass expansion plugsAluminum intake
manifold750 CFM carb400 HP (reported)Rebuilt top loader 4 speedPosi
traction rear end 3:70The 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 amp; 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 amp; 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!