1969 Ford Cobra SportRoof 428 CJ

Description

“Get a Cobra,” Ford marketing suggested. “Sensational 428 V-8, standard. Great in competition, yet gentle on a Sunday drive. Hiss and hers.”  

The 1968 Ford Torino was introduced as part of Ford’s intermediate line, replacing the Fairlane as the upscale model. Named after the Italian city of Turin, the Torino was designed to offer a blend of performance and style, featuring a new body design with a longer, wider look than its predecessor. Available in SportsRoof, Hardtop, and Convertible bodies, Torino featured a sleek distinctive grille and dual headlights. The shape worked; the 1968–1969 Ford Torino “SportsRoof” fastback had a major advantage in NASCAR due to its aerodynamic design, helping drivers like David Pearson secure the Manufacturer’s Championship for Ford in 1968 and 1969.   

In 1969, Ford introduced a unique member to this lineup, the Cobra. Coming standard with the Fairlane 500 bench seat and other interior trim, it featured the stiffer suspension and the potent 428 cu-in 4V Cobra Jet engine. Though it’s often referred to as a Torino Cobra, it came from the factory with no Fairlane or Torino insignia, just the Cobra emblems and engine badging, and Ford only referred to it as “the Cobra” in their advertising. The 428 cu-in Cobra Jet V8 engine was rated a conservative 335 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. As Bud Lindemann reported on his Car and Track TV show in 1969, “…as far as we can tell in the short time we played with it at FoMoCo’s test track, the Cobra Torino is one wild supercar.” 

Highlights 

• NASCAR inspired SportsRoof design with 428 Cobra Jet V8 

• Rebuilt Q-Code 428 CJ V8 with these upgrades: 

  • Lunati cam (.574 lift) 

  • Edelbrock Performer 750 cfm carb 

  • Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake 

  • Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum heads

  • Aluminum water pump 

• C6 three-speed automatic transmission  

  • Detroit Locker positraction rear end with 350:1 gears

  • 2,200 RPM stall converter

• The Data Plate decodes as:  

  • 63B – Cobra Two-Door Hardtop Fastback 

  • B – Maroon Paint (now black) 

  • 1A – Black Broadcloth/Vinyl Bench Seat  

  • 16D – Scheduled for Build 16 April 1969  

  • 61 – Dallas Ordering District  

  • 6 – 3.00:1 axle ratio  

  • U – C6 Three-Speed Automatic Transmission  

• The chassis number (9R46Q166690) decodes as:  

  • 9 – 1969 model year  

  • R – San Jose, California, final assembly plant  

  • 46 – Cobra two-door hardtop fastback 

  • Q – 428-4V CJ  

  • 166690 – Plant sequential production number 

Features 

• About 8,000 miles on rebuilt engine

• Trunk-mounted battery

• Aftermarket oil pressure, volt, and water temp gauges

• Working factory tachometer

• Solid original undercarriage, floorboards, frame and rockers

• Rust-free body panels and trunk

• Recent work in the last two years includes:  

  • Rebuilt steering gear and power steering control valve

  • New master cylinder

  • New Champion aluminum radiator with electric cooling fans

  • New Edelbrock fuel pump

  • New plugs and MSD plug wire set

  • New Gates belts

  • New PowerMaster alternator

  • New Pertronix Flame Thrower ignition coil

  • New Pertronix Flame-Thrower electronic distributor (April 2025)

  • New lower control arms and upper ball joints

  • New KYB shocks

  • BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires with 1,000 miles (P225/60R15 Front, P245/60R15 Rear)

  • New halogen headlights

  • New high-beam floor button

  • New OE-correct window weather stripping

  • New window regulator in driver door

  • New gas cap

Known Imperfections 

• A few minor rock chips in the paint, a nickle-size bubble at the top rear of the passenger quarter

  panel, a small bubble in the hood above the driver door, and a paint scuff above the driver taillight

• Light scratches in the hood that can be buffed out

• Grille doesn't line up exactly on center (about .5-1 inches off)  

• Most of the brightwork is original and shows expected patina  

• Small tear at the back of the drivers-side seat upholstery beneath the seat back 

• Radio, trunk light and factory clock are inoperable 

• Light windshield wiper scratch in driver-side windshield

• No A/C components under the hood or air ducting behind dash, but blower and vents work fine

Included 

• Owner’s Manual 

• Two sets of keys 

• Ford 1969 Factory OEM Shop Manuals (all volumes) print and digital

• Chilton’s Fairland & Torino Repair and Tune Up Guide 

• Spare tire and jack 

• Extra fittings, clips, original rearview mirror, original distributor, and extra air

 Ownership History 

The consignor reports, “This car has the numbers matching 428 CJ engine and C6 automatic transmission. It was a Texas car until it was purchased in 2003, which is when the engine was rebuilt. The transmission was rebuilt just prior to 2015 when it was sold to Vanguard Motor sales in Michigan with 25,560 miles on the odometer. It was then sold in January 2022 with 25,633 on the odometer and a note that there was only 7,000 miles on the engine rebuild. I bought it from Coyote Classics in Iowa, March of 2022 with 25,636 miles on it. This Cobra is in very good condition inside and out.”