This is the kind of barn find we all dream of! A big red barn with hay and a mysterious car hiding in the corner. I know if I had stumbled upon it, the moment I spotted the car my heart rate and blood pressure would have been through the roof! Hiding under this tarp is a rather rare and desirable muscle car with a big block V8. Everything is better with a big block right? Alright, so not every car benefits from having a big block shoved under the hood, but this particular car benefits infinitely from having one. This 1969 Torino is the desirable Cobra version with the mighty 428 Cobra Jet and the Ram Air option. It was parked in this barn by the original owner 23 years ago and is still in original condition. The seller claims it currently runs and drives great, so be sure to check it out here on eBay out of Bayside, New York.

After the incredible success of the Plymouth Road Runner, Ford decided it needed a cheaper muscle car that could compete with the Mopar. To keep costs down, Ford used the base Fairlane 500 as the starting point instead of the more expensive Torino, so in reality this is a Fairlane Cobra. After Ford ran a few ads calling it the Torino Cobra, the name stuck. Things only got more confusing after they built the Torino Talledegas, which were based on the Cobra. Whether you call it a Cobra, a Fairlane, or a Torino makes little difference to me though. All that I care about is that big block up front and all the torque it’s capable of producing!

The Cobra was more than just an engine option, it was an entire performance package that took the mundane Torino (eh Fairlane) and turned it into a mean street machine. The 428 was rated at 335 hp, but in reality was putting out closer to 400 horses. The Torino wasn’t a particularly nimble car to begin with, so the added weight of the 428 Cobra Jet was negligible. The added power and thrust on the other hand, made this into one big rocket! For those who felt the Cobra Jet needed even more power could option their car with the Ram Air package, which made the hood scoop functional.

Since adding more power meant one thing, more speed, Ford decided it would be wise to improve the suspension and install higher performance tires. The car still handled like a boat, but it was a bit easier to hustle through corners. Truth is Ford’s main concern wasn’t making the Torino turn or stop, but going fast in a straight line and they certainly achieved that goal. If one did decide to attempt to throw their Cobra into a fast turn, the bucket seats and center console helped to keep them in place. And if things get a little hairy in the middle of a fast turn this one was optioned with the upgraded front disc brakes, which should help slowing this rocket down a bit. Overall this car is in solid shape, but will benefit from a good detailing and some attention.

This is a rather desirable muscle car, especially amongst the Ford crowd, but sadly the seller believes the car is worth top dollar. Bidding has already climbed and stalled in the five digit area while the reserve is still unmet, which makes me think they might be valuing it well above true market value. I personally don’t see anything wrong with them making a little money for the work they’ve put into it, as they have fixed the brakes and gotten it running again, but hopefully they realize it isn’t a perfect car. Their statement, “I know what I have and I’m not giving it away for nothing” makes me a bit nervous and leaves me wondering what they paid the original owner for it. If they had restored it or it was in pristine condition, then I could see it going for top dollar, but it is still going to need a lot of money and work invested into it. I guess we will just have to wait and see where bidding goes from here. So if you were in the market for a Torino Cobra what would you be willing to pay for this one?