The 1969 Ford Cobra and Talladega : One for the street and one for the street by way of the cut . That ’s one way to distinguish and differentiate the two special Fairlane / Torino - base coupe that blasted onto the Ford scene for 1969 , enjoy a brief but inspiring stay .
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Cobra was Ford ’s budget - price , minimum - trim supercar , named for Carroll Shelby ’s Ford - powered athletics cars . bring forth in SportsRoof ( fastback ) and notchback body style , Cobras all carried a 428 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 , " conservatively " rated at 335 bhp ( harmonize to Ford ) , first used in the Mercury Cyclone .
Ram - Air induction , at $ 133 extra , consist of a fibreglass lens hood scoop with limited air cleaner assembly . At near full gas pedal , cold airwave force flat into the carburettor ’s pharynx , bypassing the filter ingredient . With that brand of power , Ford insisted , a " Cobra jet-propelled plane belts out enough torsion to leave two black lines ripe to the view . "
Standard fittings include a four - hurrying manual gear box , Wide - Oval F70 x 14tires , black grille , and exposed competition - manner hood tie - down oarlock . A beefed - upsuspensionconsisting of stiffen leaping , large - diam frontstabilizer bar , and high - damping shocks was aimed at provide minimum body roll and maximal directional stableness .
Cobra ’s longsighted fastback visibility , with upswept quarter windows and severely slanted backlight , was accented by three trimming strips at the immense rear pillar . Split square taillamps brought up the seat , with dual exhausts expire below the bumper .
Interior Department were no less stern than the organic structure , containing a apparent bench fundament and four - dial splasher . Priced only a few buck high than a Torino Squire post black Maria , a Cobra hardtop started at $ 3,164 ; the fastback , $ 25 more . Options include powerfront - disc brakesat $ 65 , a 6,000 - rpm tachometer for $ 48 , and SelectShift Cruise - O - Matic at $ 37 . Even bucket seats and a console monetary value special ( $ 121 and $ 54 , severally ) .
" Power to save , yet well - conduct in city dealings , " declared the Ford brochure , a Cobra " uncoils for activeness on command . " Maybe so , though one powder store was " disappoint " by a Cobra ’s 7.2 - second 0 - 60 time , and 15 - bit ( 98.3 mph ) quarter - mile . However , most thought it the tightest , better built , and quietest run of that class ’s supercar craw .
Other trials yield ready meter . Car and Driversent its Cobra to 60 in a mere 5.6 seconds , and crack the quarter in 14 at 100.6 miles per hour . railroad car Life , on the other paw , took 7.3 second to hit 60 mph , and 14.9 for the quarter ( go past 95 miles per hour ) .
Motor Trendhit 60 in 6.3 seconds with a Cobra four - speed , running the quarter in 14.5 ( at 100 mph ) . " When the Ram Air slice in , " they exclaimed , " the car really put you back in the seat . " On the down side , the Cobra ’s suspension " can be haired in hard corners " and gas fuel consumption rate mould out to nine mpg or less .
Ford pushed Cobras " for folks who do n’t want anyone stepping on their tails . " While " with child in contest " and " commend to heal dull drive , " a Cobra was yet described as " aristocratic on a Sunday driving . "
Learn more about the car Ford made for the street by way of the track , the Talladega , on the next pageboy .
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1969 Ford Talladega
The 1969 Ford Talladega arose from Ford ’s traditional competition withChrysler , which was n’t limited to battles at the showroom but extended onto the strain - car ovals . so as to enterNASCARGrand National race as a " output " fomite , Ford had to construct 500 streetable example . Thus arose the Talladega ( often called Torino Talladega ) , constitute for a Modern speedway in Alabama .
At the starting signal of 1969 , Ford close up its Atlanta plant life for two weeks to focus on this limited model , which go life as a base SportsRoof . Enhanced aerodynamics were the key , led by a sleek front end and loaded - set grille that stretched the trunk to 206 inch .
Among the many alterations , Ford had to re - roll the rocking chair panels to develop the lower body needed for racing , which expect alteration of the front fender to equal . Aero extensions were welded to each front fender , whose guide edges mated with the grille .
Beneath the flat - black hood , NASCAR racers would get a Tunnel - Port 427 - cid V-8 . Talladegas sold to the general public carry the 428 Cobra honey oil mill , with Cruise - atomic number 8 - Matic and a 3.25:1 Traction - Lok axle . Staggered rearward shock were part of the Talladega ’s competition handlingsuspension .
Only three vividness were sprayed : Royal Maroon , Presidential Blue , and Wimbledon White – with one elision . A exclusive bright yellowed preproduction example was built for president Knudsen . Inside was nothing special : a black - upholstered bench backside , average editorial gearshift , standard instruments .
By the clock time Ford was finished , 754 street Talladegas had been built , let in epitome . It would not repay for a 2nd season , make this " one - class wonderment " a rarefied find today .
Read about the specifications for the 1969 Ford Cobra and Talladega on the next page .
1969 Ford Cobra & Talladega Specifications
The 1969 Ford Cobra was made for Sunday drive while the 1969 Ford Talladega was a street car made with the track in mind .
Specifications
railway locomotive : ohv V-8 , 428 Criminal Investigation Command ( 4.13 x 3.98 ) , 335 bhp
Transmissions : Cobra : 4 - speed manual ; 3 - speed SelectShift Cruise - O - Matic optional ; Talladega : SelectShift Cruise - O - Matic
Suspension front : short / long arms , whorl springtime , anti - roll bar
Suspension backside : live axle , leaf springs
bracken : Cobra : front / rear drum ( front discs optional ) ; Talladega : front discs / rearward drum
Wheelbase ( in.):116.0
system of weights ( lbs.):Cobra : 3,354 - 3,525 ; Talladega : 3,537
Top velocity ( mph):125 - 129
0 - 60 miles per hour ( sec):5.6 - 7.3
