Classic Muscle Cars

1975 Plymouth Duster

Larisa M. — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:10:23 +0000

Do any of these names sound familiar: 340 Duster, 360 Duster, Silver Duster, Gold Duster, Feather Duster, Space Duster … ? All of them were put in production to suit different markets looking for things like cargo space, speed, or just a cheaper model.

Semi-fastbacks are a rarity among classic American muscle cars, but the 1975 Plymouth Duster was one of the most fun to drive. It was also very reliable in terms of regular maintenance as compared to cars that came out after it. With a $15,000,000 budget, the engineers of Plymouth were given a special task: revive the older model, Valiant, and make it into a new, slick, well-selling vehicle. Duster’s biggest competitor, Chevy Nova (1962-1988), fought for the spot of the best-selling car of its kind. Designed as a rival of the Ford Maverick – another competitive semi-fastback model – it had one distinctive feature: it was 2-door, not 4-door. 1975 Plymouth Duster picked up its Valiant-like A-body platform body style where Plymouth Barracuda had left off in its 3rd generation. It was made in Hamtramck and Sterling Heights of Michigan, as well as Belvidere, Illinois, and Toluca, Mexico.

The engineers ran into a style-related difficulty when they were redesigning the Valiant: the roof and the wheels “didn’t look right” as compared to its competitors. The solution was to make the Plymouth Duster into a fastback car, although 3 out of 4 buyers – according to their market research – preferred a notchback. Despite this previous statistic, Duster became highly successful. But that’s not to say the designers got the first-ever 1970 Duster perfectly on-point: with rust issues and glass not being as round as desired, it took years of tweaking to finally get it just right.

Most argue that it’s the 1975 Plymouth Duster’s one-of-a-king design that attracted buyers from different socioeconomic groups. From 1970 until 1976, Plymouth expanded the choice of engines and other options on the Duster. From a 198 cu. in. 3.2L Slant 6, to a 360 cu. in. 5.9L LA V8, there was a lot to choose from. Additional features like a heavy duty suspension, custom-installed gear boxes, and power front disc brakes were sold separately. Its 108” wheelbase helped with handling issues that were predominantly uncomfortable in other cars of that time. Manual and automatic transmissions could be chosen. The front-engine rear-wheel drive was the traditional layout of the 20th century’s majority of cars, and the Duster was no exception.

This car was 172” long, 67” wide, and 53” high. Plymouth produced it in 3 generations (’70-’76, ’85-’87, and ’92-’94). As you can see, there were breaks in production years, which were explained by new brand models coming to compete with other new brand models of other manufacturers like Ford and Mercury (only to be resurrected later). Over time, trim packs called “Duster” were released for the Plymouth Volare, Turismo, and Sundance to revive the 1975 Plymouth Duster’s look and feel.

The second-generation Duster was a 3-door liftback, and the third-generation cars were either a 3-door or a 5-door hatchback. Both of the latter generations were front-engine, front-wheel drive models, and featured smaller engines than the first generation – in part due to new emissions regulations.

Plymouth Duster's for Sale on eBay

Plymouth Duster duster 1971 plymouth

14 Bids

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Plymouth Duster plymouth duster street or strip

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Plymouth Duster 318 V8 All ORIGINAL LOW MILEAGE TIME CAPSULE

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Plymouth Duster 340 duster 1973 plymouth duster 340

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US $10,000.00

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Plymouth Duster 1974 plymouth Duster gold duster v8

12 Bids

US $1,625.00

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1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Larisa M. — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:24:36 +0000

If you’re familiar with the 1970 Ford Mustang, you’ll notice that the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 looks a bit different. What it gained in looks, it lost in power due to new regulations that put more strict standards on car emissions. Despite downgrading from a 351 cu. in. engine to a 302 cu. in. V8 – which consequently lowered its output from 220 hp to 210 hp on the same 9.0:1 compression – the 1971 Mach 1 went up in price. In exchange, buyers got a meaner-looking car that made heads turn to its racetrack-like appearance.

Although the 351 engine could still be installed as an optional upgrade – just like you could get it done for the 1971 Mustang – it was no longer standard. Instead, the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 got a hood scoop and a mean spoiler in the back. If you had the extra cash, you could even opt in for the optional two-tone pain on the hood. Buyers who wanted the 351 cu. in. had to choose between a 275 hp 4-barrel at $93, or a 240 hp 2-barrel at $45 extra. The ever-popular, top-of-the-line 429 big-block V8 was the biggest engine option for the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1. These monster-engine cars became an underachieving poser of the Thunderbird due to their conventional construction that featured the V8 wedge-type combustion chambers.

The big-block V8 was available in two versions: the ram-air CJ-R, and the regular CJ; the CJ-R was believed to output more horsepower due to its cold-air induction. The two versions featured 4-barrel carburetors, 370 horse powers, and hydraulic lifters. 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 then came out with the SCJ version, which was a 375 hp Super Cobra Jet that could come with or without the ram-air option.

Additional options included the Magnum 500 wheels and a different spoiler in the back. Two rear axles were available: 4.11:1, and 3.91. Ordering these rear axle rations and buying the Drag Pack was necessary to get the Super Cobra Jet version. Initially, sales weren’t as promising as Ford expected, because these upgrades cost an extra $400-$500, so by mid-season they dropped all three of these special editions for the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, although it was still for sale for the regular 1971 Ford Mustang.

Engineering this car posed an interesting challenge: due to the wider 429 engine, the body of the car had to get wider, so the designers had to go back to the drawing board to increase its stability. One major change was that they put staggered shocks in the back of all 429 and 351 engine models of the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Additional changes included a revamped base suspension (due to increased weight of the vehicle), a redesigned steering column, and an improved front-end that could suit the bigger engine. After some other basic revisions, Ford chief program engineer stated that they improved handling on both smaller-engine and bigger-engine models.

In terms of performance, the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 wasn’t too impressive: it did 0-60mph in under 10 seconds, and it could run the ¼-mile at 78 mph in 17.5 seconds. It averaged 16mpg, and its top speed was just 86mph.

1971 Ford Mustang's For sale on eBay

Ford Mustang MACH 1 1971 MACH 1 MUSTANG FASTBACK WESTERN CAR NICE SHAPE

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2006 Dodge Avenger Concept

Larisa M. — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:10:17 +0000

The Paris Motor Show in 2006 became Dodge Avenger’s point of introduction on the market. This concept car was launched in Britain, and has attained popular success among coupe vehicle owners. Also known for its similarities to the Dodge Daytona which hasn’t been in production since 1993, the Dodge Avenger was in production since 1995; it was debuted with a 103” wheelbase, had two engine options, and either manual or automatic transmissions. The car quickly adapted 16” wheels, which immediately became standard. In year 2000, Dodge discontinued the 4-cylinder engine, leaving the Avenger with a 6.0L engine. An extra sports trim could be purchased separately, and it included alloy wheels along with other sports accessories and options.

The 2006 Dodge Avenger Concept is a bit of a downgrade, but it was designed to fit the European market, which isn’t as power-hungry as American muscle car lovers. It holds a 2-liter, 122 cu. in. engine with direct fuel injection. This red-hot sedan looks appealing to prospective buyers who are looking for a mid-size class vehicle. The innovative design features a long hood, a sexy rear spoiler, and slick shoulders that could have made a bold statement on the American roads, had this model been put to production. The 2006 Dodge Avenger Concept breaks away from the boring presumption that all mid-size class cars are your average sports vehicle.

It’s a shame that this four-door car didn’t have a market for it in the United States at the time of its debut at the Paris Motor Show. Perhaps this was because of it’s small diesel engine, yet gas-guzzlers like the ever-popular Hummers survived nonetheless. The designers decided to up the wheel game by putting 19” silver five-spoke wheels on the 2006 Dodge Avenger Concept. Its attractive chrome tip exhaust pipes sounded nice, and the red break pads that could be seen through the wheel spokes made it truly stand out of the crowd. The car’s deep side sills, short height and solid traction made it overall a fun to drive car.

How did it fare in Britain? The 2006 Dodge Avenger Concept was Dodge’s second concept car. It was also Dodge’s fourth vehicle on the European market; according to their spokesperson, the car would provide stiff competition to Mazda6 and Alfa Romeo 159. The truth is, Dodge needed to leverage their market due to lowering numbers in car sales in the U.S. As of Q3 of 2006, Dodge sold over 1,840,000+ vehicles in America, but only 129,300 cars outside of the United States. Due to the oncoming recession, Chrysler knew that Dodge would need to become a household name overseas, and this is exactly what they tried to do by introducing the Avenger in Europe.

Dodge’s latest entry in Europe was the 2008 Dodge Journey, which featured a bigger engine and more transmission options. However, this 5-door wagon doesn’t even come close to the sex appeal of the 2006 Dodge Avenger Concept, which the United States, unfortunately, will never see.

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1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Larisa M. — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:00:15 +0000

The end of the sixties meant a new beginning for this revolutionary hardtop. The introduction of the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 meant a self-esteem booster for thousands of Michigan factory workers who were getting tired of mediocrity. The car had a sexy look to it, which perfectly complimented its 335-hp power output.

The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet was one of America’s most desired classic muscle cars of its time. It looked similar to other modern pony cars with a base matte-black hood, and air scoops on the sides and in the back. This Mustang was redesigned; the body length was increased by 3.8” in the front, and it gained approximately 140 pounds in net weight. The 1969 Ford Mustang became the mainstream, high-performance vehicle. The models were equipped with the standard 351-cid V8 engine, with an optional 428-cid Cobra Jet available for an extra price.

About sixty percent of the weight of the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was in the hood, but despite its lack of stable handling, the car’s appearance and raw power made it an instant classic American muscle car. The car had standard bucket seats, three-spoke wheels, a rim-blow horn, and a sporty interior trimmed with woodgrain. There were 3 tuning options available for new buyers. The first one cost $224, and came without Ram-Air. If you wanted Ram-Air, it would cost an extra $133, and would come with a fresh-air induction system. A new, louder shaker hood vibrated more with the engine, creating a sound desired by many that were looking for that classic American muscle car feel. This was the second tuning option; the third Drag Pack tuning option cost $155, and it included the 428 Super Cobra Jet Ram Air. Although the Drag Pack excluded air conditioning, it featured stronger connecting rods and a crankshaft that provided durability to the engine when it ran on high RPMs. There was also an engine oil cooler that lowered oil temperature by 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was praised for being “the best Mustang yet”, and it was called “the quickest ever”. No wonder – it was a unique blend of brute V8 power, shock absorbing valves, and efficient suspension geometry. It made a great transition from drag-circuit-only muscle cars, into street-frienly power monsters. Some key specs on this car include: 108” wheelbase, 3,600lbs weight, 1x4bbl fuel system, and 440 torque @ 3400 RPM.

It’s no surprise that the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 broke 295 USAC records for endurance and speed: although the hood scoop was primarily for aesthetic purposes more so than for purposes of functionality, it still ran 0-60mph in just 5.7seconds, and could go a quarter mile at 103mph in under 14 seconds.

1969 Ford Mustang Mach's for Sale on eBay

Ford Mustang Mach 1 Show Condition 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Shaker 351W

15 Bids

US $30,100.00

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Ford Mustang Mach 1 1969 FORD MUSTANG MACH1 CANDY APPLE RED BLACKED HOOD

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Ford Mustang 351 Mach 1 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Project

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Ford Mustang 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback Project Rust Free Texas Car

US $16,200.00

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Ford Mustang 1969 Mustang Grande 69 70 Mach 1 cobra

17 Bids

US $5,600.00

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1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS

Larisa M. — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:41:51 +0000

As we mentioned in our previous article about the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, it was initially introduced in ’67; designed to compete with the Ford Mustang, this compact car rival was based off of the Pontiac Firebird frame. If you know a bit of French, you might recognize the name Camaro as the word for “buddy,” but hardcore American muscle cars fans will tell you that the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is Mustang’s nightmare.

This model was built during four stages: the first generation (67-69), the second generation (72-81), the third generation (82-92), and the fourth generation (93-02). Likewise, the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro was made available in two versions. The RS (Rally Sport) was just an aesthetic upgrade from the regular Camaro. So was the SS (Super Sport), with the exception of extra performance upgrades.

There were 41,000 makes of the 1968 Chevy Camaro RS, and only 28,000 makes of the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS edition. A fresh air intake system, dubbed Astro Ventilation, was introduced this year. Divided tail lights in the back were all-new; other cosmetic modifications included a pointed front grill, side lights on the fender in the front, as well as a front spoiler. Chrome hood inserts were native to the SS version. Front headlights changed from oval to circle lights. The SS featured a 396 cu. in. 350 horsepower big-block engine. Staggered shocks also helped solve issues associated with wheel hops.

Below are all engine options that were available on the 1968 Chevy Camaro:

230ci. L6 / 140HP 1BC
250ci. L6 / 155HP 1BC
302ci. V8 / 290HP 2BC
327ci. V8 / 210HP 2BC
327ci. V8 / 275HP 4BC
350ci. V8 / 295HP 4BC
396ci. V8 / 325HP 4BC
396ci. V8 / 350HP 4BC
396ci. V8 / 375HP 4BC
396ci. V8 / 375HP 4BC Aluminum Heads

A Powerglide automatic gear, also called Torque Drive, was a manual transmission that wasn't introduced until year 1968. Also for an additional price, you could opt in for an AM/FM radio, air conditioning when available (impossible for big-block engines due to not having enough space), and other nice features, such as: folding rear seats, cruise control (available on V8 models only), bucket seats, dual exhaust system, and more.

The non-rally sport version of the car was rebuilt with a distinct center split, with backup lights installed within the standard taillight bezels. If you wanted four-wheel disc brakes, the dealership could install them for you; they were not a Chevy upgrade option. The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro pioneered the term “tick-tock-tach,” when an optional upgrade for the car included a clock (not available on standard models) built into the tachometer.

An even higher-class version, called the Z28, came out with bigger engines than the RS or SS, but there were less Z28s made than RSs or SSs. The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 had an optional fiberglass spoiler, and a lot of models that are still in good shape have it.

Chevrolet Camaro's RS/SS For Sale on eBay

Chevrolet Camaro 1968 Chevrolet Camaro

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US $15,100.00

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Chevrolet Camaro 1968 camaro 1968 camaro 4spd m22 Z28 tribute w 302 411 posi

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Chevrolet Camaro 1968CAMARORS SS CLONE4 SPEED18 INCH WHEELS

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2009 Dodge Viper

Larisa M. — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:25:50 +0000

If you’re looking for a luxury sports car for around 100 grand, the 2009 Dodge Viper is definitely worth a look. Originally made in 1992 to be a sports convertible, the designers finally added a hardtop roof to this model four years later. Now, the 2009 Viper brings you a sexy combination of power, handling, and speed with an exterior body that’s sure to turn heads on the street.

The Viper saga began in 1992, when Dodge released a rare lineup of just 200 cars. Their newly-introduced model came equipped with a 8L 488 cu. in. V10! Now, if that couldn’t impress a luxury sports car buyer in 1992, then it’s unclear what else could. This two-door bullet had a manual 6-speed transmission, and could crank out 400 horse powers. In 1996, Dodge added more colors to its palette of choices, and it redesigned the Viper’s exhaust pipes to enclose them, rather than leaving them open as before. According to their engineers, this improved the Viper’s horse powers by 15, to 415hp. They also restyled the wheels, and made a removable hardtop an optional upgrade. A GTS coupe version was also introduced; it boasted a 450hp engine, and featured a set of crucial improvements, such as 17” wheels, an anti-theft system, safety-oriented redesigned seats, dual airbags, a better CD stereo, as well as power windows and adjustable pedals.

In 1997, Dodge continued to improve the Viper; particularly, the original Roadster featured all the nice upgrades that the GTS coupe had. They redesigned the exhaust system in 1998, making it lighter, and added metallic silver as a color option. By 1999, the Viper was upgraded to 18” wheels, a redesigned interior (including optional leather), and black color for the GTS. In 2001, ABS and two new colors were added. During the following years, Dodge continued to tweak the interior options, adding support for upgrades like Sirius radio, navigation systems, and iPod/MP3 support.

If you’ve ever seen a Dodge Viper on the road, you’ve probably noticed the unique side exhaust pipe that’s located under the door rather than under the back bumped. This unique feature is what makes a Viper… a Viper. So how far has the 2009 model come?

This rear-wheel beast is at 600 horse powers, thanks to the enormous 8.4L V10 engine and 6-speed manual gears, which come standard on the Coupe and the Roadster models. This means acceleration from 0-60mph in under 4 seconds, and a ridiculous 11.8 second quarter-mile time. No wonder many video games and movies have picked up on this car, featuring it as one of the best in its class! The 2009 Dodge Viper’s independent, 4-wheel suspension and coil-over shock absorbers are made of light aluminum, and provide a low center of gravity. Along with a wide-stance design, this means unparalleled stability on the road. Also, the 2009 Dodge Viper offers state-of-the-art Brembo breaks, featuring 14” rotors all around. No other car can break from 60mph to 0mph in under 100 feet like the 2009 Dodge Viper.

The interior looks, feels, and smells luxurious; with leather seats and professional-grade equipment installed on the dash board, you really feel like you’re driving a sports car. Although the 560 pound-feet torque sounds impressive, it comes at a price; approximate city gas mileage is estimated at 13mpg, or 22mpg on highways. You’re looking at doing about 260 miles per gas tank, and the 2009 Dodge Viper takes 16 gallons to fill up. Other things to consider prior to buying this explosive rear-wheel drive vehicle are insurance prices, as well as cost of maintenance: because there’s only a limited amount of 2009 Dodge Vipers out there, the cost of parts will be through the roof for this american muscle car.

Dodge Viper Cars for Sale on eBay

Dodge Viper 1997 VIPER GTS ROE RACINGBORLA HEADERSTECH1

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Dodge Viper SRT 10 Conve SRT 10 Convertible 2006 Dodge Viper Roadster SRT10 Low

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Dodge Viper RT 10 1995 Viper RT 10 Convertible LOW Miles Immaculate

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US $41,870.00

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1989 Plymouth Speedster (Concept Car)

Larisa M. — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:39:53 +0000

No one could quite put their finger on this mysterious concept car: half-motorcycle, half-automobile, the 1989 Plymouth Speedster was designed with youth in mind. Unfortunately, this model never made it into production due to lack of funding. The vision for this vehicle was to take teenagers and young adults to and from parties, beaches, etc. Had this whimsical design made it into the streets, we may have seen the first-ever car with no doors driving around our streets (yes, Plymouth expected to aim their marketing efforts at teenagers and drivers in their 20s, because analysts believed that being young meant an avalanche of pocket money that could be spent on the 1989 Speedster).

This unique blend of a sports convertible with a motorcycle-style feel was, for a lack of better word, unconventional. The steering wheel reminded you of a fighter jet joystick type of control, and the criss-cross seatbelts made you feel like you were on a rollercoaster. The 1989 Plymouth Speedster concept car had a sexy interior, with yellow seats and a front dashboard unlike any other. Since you’re used to moving your seat closer or further away from the front of the car, the 1989 Speedster had to defy that; instead, the pedals would move closer to or further away from the driver. The dashboard was also on a movable fork, to suit drivers of different sizes (although seeing a rather large teenager try to hop over the side of the car where the door is supposed to be would have been… well, hilarious).

Even the seats joined the body of the Speedster as a one-piece plastic mold, with wet suit material covering the foam pads that were installed for comfort. So if you came straight out of the ocean, or had to drive home from a community pool, there was no need to worry about changing first. Being an “ideal” car for the youngsters, cleaning the interior was made easy: throw out any garbage that you can see, then vacuum or hose away loose particles. Yes, you could actually put a hose inside the 1989 Plymouth Speedster to just blast away the dirt and grime of our youth (spilled sodas, fries that fall under the seats, and so on).

Clearly, the 1989 Plymouth Speedster was all about fun-to-drive. And despite the fact that this concept model was developed so long ago, manufacturers already knew that fun-to-drive cars didn’t need to be as hefty as full-size coupes or SUVs. This miniature model was only 130” bumper-to-bumper, and had a major motorcycle-esque drawback: it didn’t have a roof. Had this car made it to production, it would have been nearly impossible to drive comfortably in the rain, hail, snow, or dust storms.

The 1989 Plymouth Speedster concept car was a 2-person car; there was no back seat, which is sort of a setback, considering that their target market – young people – like to socialize, so therefore a back seat would allow more passengers to hop in. Because the 1989 Plymouth Speedster was a conceptual design and not even a prototype, the execs never even considered actually getting this car to an assembly line. There was no proposed engine, transmission, or anything like that, so we don’t even know how fast this concept vehicle may have been.

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2010 Plymouth Road Runner (Concept)

Larisa M. — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:20:25 +0000

The Plymouth Road Runner has been discontinued since the 80s. But that doesn’t stop the independent designer from Germany, Michael Leonhard. Leonhard is a die-hard graphics designer and a concept car maker who incorporated the Road Runner’s 70s style into a futuristic look that doesn’t even seem 21st century-ish. The 2010 Plymouth Road Runner resembles a Lamborghini-esque look with the swagger of a cop car. And the most exciting part? This concept car will become reality at the 2010 LA Auto Show.

The trick? Leonhard put his concept 2010 Plymouth Road Runner up for sale on eBay, with a hefty $950,000 price tag slapped on its bumper. That’s “just” fifty grand short of a million dollars, but whether its worth it or not is up for debate by individual interested parties. The sleek design features a 2-door, hardtop car with smooth curves and bright LED backlights and headlights. The front grille is a horizontal bar with headlights inserted into it. Just look at the pictures and see for yourself.

You see, the 2010 Plymouth Road Runner hasn’t exactly been built yet. This concept car features a hefty 6.1L V8 HEMI, with an estimated 620hp @ 5,200 RPM. What’s it pushing? An incredible 3.8 sec 0-60mph, and an astounding 121mph quarter-mile in under 12 seconds. Compare that to an average Dodge Charger (250HP, 9.3 sec 0-60mph), equip it with a professional driver, and you have a monster on the roads that the police virtually can’t touch (whether a helicopter could keep up with this beast or not is questionable).

According to the designer, the 2010 Plymouth Road Runner is based off of the Dodge Challenger 6.1 L HEMI. From paper to reality, the entire process of making this vehicle should take approximately 40 weeks. Obviously, Leonhard just doesn’t want to make it yet until he has a solid buyer on file. His eBay lot stated that,

If required, minor changes to the design may occur during the building process.

At such a price tag, I just might have to ask to have a jet plane engine installed.

Although it seems like an amazing car on pictures, you could get similar performance from cheaper vehicles. For instance, you can find a comparable Porsche for around 100 grand. Leonhard wants to match the Challenger’s interior trim with minor modifications to fit his image; “A completely new interior with unique design and features is not part of the auction.” Many car enthusiasts around the world are criticizing his auction for such a high markup, but we all know that in this world, there’s a buyer for just about anything.

The pros? If you could get your hands on the 2010 Plymouth Road Runner Concept, you would be driving a one-of-a-kind vehicle that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. On the other side, you could purchase about 7 Lambos for the price of this one Plymouth. Is the overall appeal worth it? That’s up to you and your financial adviser.

1969 Ford Torino Talladega

Larisa M. — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:02:19 +0000

The ever-popular NASCAR racetrack, Talladega Superspeedway, opened the doors of opportunity for Ford to enter another car in this hot racing market. Unsurprisingly, not many models of this Torino vehicle were made available to the public; the Ford Torino Talladega is unique to the year 1969, which is what makes it so prized among car lovers across America. About 750 were produced, and sold as part of the accreditation process by NASCAR to make it an official vehicle in the race. Production models, as well as prototypes, were built at Ford’s Atlanta car factory in the beginning of 1969.

This two-door hardtop was an aerodynamic model based on the Fairlane 500, and it featured a “Sportsroof” look. The 1969 Ford Torino Talladega featured a more rounded front as opposed to less efficient grilles and headlights that lowered the productivity of the original Fairlane. The Talladega also had a smaller gap between the bottom of the vehicle and the road, to allow it to race (as per NASCAR regulations).

One thing you don’t see in today’s everyday racing cars that was interesting about the 1969 Ford Torino Talladega is its 6” wide F70 x 14 oval wheels. The interior lacked essential features that come standard on passenger cars, but that are not necessary in a race car, such as the radio, clock, or fancy interior pieces. The front and back included little snake decals, which then became emblem pieces. Some of the 1969 Ford Torino Talladega’s specs included: a V8 engine, heavy duty suspension, front disc brakes, four-shift manual transmission, and 6.0 sec 0-60mph time. For an extra price, optional equipment such as a hood scoop, bucket seats, different axle ratios, cruise-o-matic, power front-disc brakes or even limited-slip differential could be installed.

Because NASCAR has prohibited the use of Ford 427 Cammer engines, Ford got tricky with the Torino Talladega and equipped it with a Ford Boss 429. This monstrous 7.0L engine proved to be competitive on the racetrack as it stood up to Dodge’s renown Charger models; it won nearly 30 Grand National titles, and even the 1969 championship. Perhaps NASCAR wasn’t too happy about Dodge faring worse off than Ford, or perhaps there were other reasons for the lack of 1969 Ford Torino Talladega’s reappearance in 1970, but the aero cars were banned after that season.

The ~750 models that were made for the public were fitted with a Ford 428 Cobra Jet engine, powered by 335 horse powers @ 5200 RPM. These 1969 Ford Torino Talladegas that were made available to the public could be purchased in one of three colors: white, blue, and maroon. Despite today’s high price warranted by this model’s rarity and class, it’s not too comfortable to drive due to its lack of options, and the fact that’s it simply doesn’t fare well on streets unless they’re straight drag strips. However, the 1969 Ford Torino Talladega holds a permanent spot in NASCAR history, and is a name worth knowing by heart in the american muscle cars industry.

Ford Torino For Sale

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The Ford Torino History Walkthrough

Larisa M. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:49:03 +0000

The Ford Torino was designed as a better version of the Fairlane until 1968, when the Fairlane was downscaled with lower-end trim options as a separate Ford model. The Torino was in production from ’68 until ’76, and for those 8 years the Ford Torino held the status of a Fairlane subsidiary. The “generations” of this car can be broken down into three distinct categories: the upgraded Fairlane stage, the Torino uprising, and the Gran Torino era.

Between ’68 and ’69, the Ford Torino got a head start on the Fairlane, as it was considered to be a better car. Some factors that contributed to this opinion were styling (better grille, four headlights, and an array of fastbacks with SportRoofs), additional trims both inside and outside, and its abundance of engine options. These varied from a stock 200 cu-in. 3.3L 6-cylinder, to a massive 428-cu-in. 7L FE V8. The fancy Torino GT offered bucket seats, GT wheel covers, and additional interior lighting.

In the early seventies, the Torino took over the Fairlane models with the same transmission options as the ’68-’69 cars: a 3 and 4 speed manual gears, and a 3 speed automatic. The one-year-only edition of the 1969 Ford Torino Talladega was a limited NASCAR oriented car that was produced in a very small number. Specialized engines were made available, such as an array of Windsor V8s, as well as a 351 cu-in. Cleveland V8 (5.8L) and a 429 cu-in. 385 Series V8 (7L). Hardtops, sedans, and wagons were all available models. With an all-new interior, Ford’s second generation of the Torinos prized itself with the Ford Torino Cobra (a SportsRoof model) for its raw performance.

By 1972, Ford Torino got a makeover: it was a “short deck long hood” styled vehicle. This gave it the ever-popular “coke bottle” design more prominent than ever. The number of Torino models that Ford has put out went from 14 down to 9. However, it was so successful that Ford cranked out over 450,000 of them that year. The demand for a Farilane-oriented Ford was thus fulfilled by a steady supply or Torinos all across America.

The limited-edition Torino cars are the hardest to come across nowadays, because of how many normal models came out throughout the years. Despite the overwhelming abundance of Ford Torino vehicles on the market, however, the popularity of a classic Chevy or even Plymouth competitor models far surpassed Ford in the American muscle car sale business.

Ford Torino's For Sale on eBay

Ford Torino 1974 Gran Torino Elite with a 429 engine

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Ford Torino Marti Report 1968 Ford Torino GT conv Indianapolis 500 promo car

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Ford Torino SPORT FSTBK 73 Gran Torino Fastback 351 Cleveland 4V Hookers AUTO

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