What's the value of a 1969 Torino Cobra?

[jayb]

I had a guy offer to sell me his car tonight.  It is an original Torino Cobra, but the original 428 is gone, replaced by a 390.  The original 4 speed and 9" (3.91 traction lok) are still in the car.  It runs and drives, was an original red car, has some rust issues he says, but not terrible or anything.  I forgot to ask if it is a notchback or a fastback  , but I'd probably be interested in it either way.  He has the Marti report for the car. 

I don't really know what these things go for.  Any suggestions on a fair price?  Also, are patch panels and replacement parts readily available for these cars, like they are for Mustangs?  Thanks - Jay

[Joe-JDC]

Prices are all over the place, depending on rust severity.  I have been looking for a hardtop for several years, and they are hard to find in decent shape.  I would venture a guess at 8-12K, depending on interior, paint, rust.  Solid cars ARE hard to find, and good ones are approaching $18-22K if correct engine and driveline are still there.  JMO, but fastbacks are not as desirable as the formal roof cars, even though I like both.  Joe-JDC

[jayb]

Why the preference for formal roof cars, Joe?  Is it rarity or something like that, or do you just think they look better?  I prefer the looks of the fastbacks myself...

[fastback 427]

I had the same car. 428, 4spd, drag pack with the staggered rear shocks, fast back. Missing the 4spd, had an auto installed. Minor rust, running and driving, interior shot, paid 1500 and traded a nice 68 Fairlane body. I'd value them 5 to 8 grand max with the missing 428. Interior is expensive to replace. I love the fast backs, very cool cars.

[Joe-JDC]

Why the preference for formal roof cars, Joe?  Is it rarity or something like that, or do you just think they look better?  I prefer the looks of the fastbacks myself...

The formal roof cars were early cars for the most part, and fewer of them.  The Fairlane Cobras are more rare than the Torino Cobras.  I think a fastback can be beautiful with the right color combination, and stance with lots of tire under the rear.  Hubert Platt came to Florida back in 1969 with a red fastback and it was beautiful.  Ran quick too.  I guess it depends on color, which one is more appealing, and what you grew up with.  I bought a '69 Fairlane Cobra 4 speed, formal roof new back in 1968 when they first became available.  I took it to Panama City drag strip and clicked off 13.22 after I got used to the polyglass tires.  Pure stock.  I would not turn down a fastback if I could find a clean one that wasn't a rust bucket.  Joe   

[fekbmax]

Man, brings back memories.  When I was 17 In 1983 I scrapped and borrowed and dealed to come up with 1,800$ bucks to buy a 68  390, 4 speed GT fast back. It was pee yellow but the car was in good shape and I wanted it bad. Told the guy on a Friday I had the money and he said to come by that sunday to get it because they had a reunion to go to on that Saturday. I get there sunday and the car is gone. Knock on the door and his wife said it was totaled that Saturday coming back from the reunion. .. no one was seriously hurt but I was heart broken. .. 

[Barry_R]

Cool cars but comparatively limited market value.  A lot of them lost their drivelines as donors to CJ Mustang restorations.

[BruceS]

Jay,
Check autokrafters.com and dearbornclassics.com to get an idea of replacement parts, patch panels, etc. available. 
Also, the Fairlane Club Fairlaneclubofamerica.com has been an excellent source of knowledge and parts over the years.  Doug Bender, a forum member is the President. 
Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works sells a number of resto parts and bought Ford's production database from 1967 to I think 1976 so he can tell you for a fee the exact pedigree of your car.  If you tell us the partial VIN (we don't need the last 5 numbers, those are the sequential unit numbers) and door data plate info many of us in the forum can tell you the date and location of production, the original engine, transmission and axle it had. 

Like Barry R said, they are reasonable in cost and IMO a good way for some to get started in the hobby!

Bruce

[machoneman]

Cool cars but comparatively limited market value.  A lot of them lost their drivelines as donors to CJ Mustang restorations.

Agree with the limited value. Now if it was a Talledega Cobra, that's a very rare car indeed!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Torino_Talladega

[BH107]

Seems like the rust issues in those show up in the torque boxes and floor more often than the quarters, which of course makes it harder to fix.

I like both body styles, and its a more affordable way to own an original CJ car for sure.

[bartlett]

I like the formal roof  ...

[Joe-JDC]

Cool cars but comparatively limited market value.  A lot of them lost their drivelines as donors to CJ Mustang restorations.

Agree with the limited value. Now if it was a Talledega Cobra, that's a very rare car indeed!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Torino_Talladega

Rare car indeed because all the Talledegas were Q codes with C-6 transmissions and not Cobras.  I think Wikipedia got bogus information on these cars.  I was there, saw them new, and never saw one called a Talledega Cobra from Ford.  Joe-JDC

[Dumpling]

I thought by definition, and embleming, ONLY formal roofs were badged as Cobras in 1969.

[Joe-JDC]

Nope, both Fairlanes and Torinos were optioned as Cobras in '69.  They were both formal roofline cars and sportsroof/fastback models.   I still have my original window sticker from my Fairlane Cobra.  Joe-JDC

[Dumpling]

Wasn't saying Fairlane or Torino, saying FORMAL ROOF Fairlane or Torino.