Coming from CNN's “Top 10 Muscle Cars”, is the car that states hard work all over. Sitting on the 8th place this is a vehicle that you should not mess with.

1969 Ford Torino-Talladega

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 1969 Ford Torino-Talladega
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 335@5200
  • Torque: 440@3400
  • Transmission: 4-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Yes, Talladega is a NASCAR track in Alabama, but we are going to talk about the 1969 Ford's that were built and named after the Talladega race track.

1968 had been a good year for Ford in NASCAR racing, with the new Fairlane, fastback body style. This left the "Guys in the white Hat's (Dodge) looking for a way to make their “Coke” bottle 68 Charger cut the wind better. Thus enters the 1969 Dodge Charger 500. A modified limited production Charger that would cheat the wind with its flush mounted grille and reworked rear window.

Ford seeing what Dodge was up to, went back to the drawing board with its 69 Torino fastback. Working with the factory backed race shop of Holman and Moody to find a slicker more wind cutting front end Ford Torino. They came up with what was one of Fords most modified, to be sold by its dealers new cars sense The ThunderBolt.

The Ford company had to build a minimum of 500 of these special modified Torino's for the general public to buy through their dealership network in order to legalize the body as to NASCAR rules.That stated at least 500 units of a limited production car had to be built, and sold to the general public in order for the special modified bodes to be used on the tracks.

Ford geared up its Atlanta plant to build the new modified Torinos in January and February of 1969. The special built Torinos were given a hand built set of longer front folders, that extended its snoot and made the front end droop. The grill was moved forward and flush mounted, with the help of special stamped bracing that extend it out in front of the core support.

A special stamped header panel was added in front of the hood and sloped downward helping to flush the grill and covering the bracing.

Holman and Moody took blank 1969 FairlaneTorino rear bumpers, cut them in the middle, narrowing and slightly vee ing them, than welded them back together filling the upper corners at the same time.Front bumpers were also reported to have been built by Kar Kraft . The bumpers were put on along with the other special parts during the special run at the Atlanta plant.

One of the most interesting changes made at the Atlanta plant was the addition of rerolled rocker panels. With the rocker panels being rerolled, it would let the race teams set the track cars lower to the ground, almost one inch lower than a non modified Torino.

Ford built a little over 740 of these specially modified Torino's during this special production run.

But most special of these 740 plus cars was their name, Talladega. Named for the new supper speedway that was soon to be opened (in 1969) by Bill France.Talladega's hit Ford dealerships in only 3 colors red, white, and blue at as Fordcalled it ,Royal Maroon, Wimbledon White, Presidential Blue.

Maroon and blue cars received white strips that ran along the tops of the fenders,doors and quarter panels. With white cars getting a black stripe.

Interiors were plain, black vinyl/cloth seats in the form of bench. No tact or clock, no AM/FM or & track (hey it was 1 969) just the am radio.Talladega's rolled out of Atlanta on argent colored steel wheels, with white side wall tires, front disk breaks, and open 3.25 rear ends.

Power for the street cars, 428 C.I. Cobra Jet rated at 335 horsepower with a compression ratio of lO.-5.1 backed by the power full C6 auto trans. Staggered rear shocks something only found on 4 speed Fairlane/Torino's also found there way on to the Talladegas wore special T plates on the doors, along with special Talladega name plates inside on the doors, marking not found on any other Torino or Fairlane.

Ford won the Manufactures Cup in 1969 and David Pearson finished on top driving a Talladega in 1969, why shoot Richard Petty won his 100th, driving a Petty Blue Talladega.