Such thing as a Torino Shelby Cobra?

[Kalanica2]

We were lucky to buy a 71 Torino 429CJ. It's all original and in really top shape. The story we heard was that someone garaged it (not a bit of rust or dents on it, looks beautifully clean and straight) then passed and his son or grandson took it to the local dealer and traded it in for a new Mustang. This dealer didn't know what to do with it so they sold it to another dealer in another state. We saw an ad on a Torino Cobra site and bought it from the dealer who didn't know much at all about Torinos. We just got it last wk and it's one nice car. It's got power windows, rear window defroster and the interior is immaculate. The interior has no rips. It's black leather (vinyl?) with the middle of the bucket seats and rear seat in a sort of tiny checkerboard (blk and white tweed I guess, very subtle) design. The steering wheel says Shelby Cobra. Was there a Shelby Cobra torino made? This car is so original and in such perfect shape that I can't see this person putting a mustang steering wheel? It's a J code vin.

[Gearhead27]

the torino came with a cobra jet engine so the wheel should just be reflecting that. its a beatiful car.

[Kalanica2]

Originally Posted by Gearhead27

the torino came with a cobra jet engine so the wheel should just be reflecting that. its a beatiful car.

Yes, that's what we are assuming. It's just such an odity as the interior is the same found in some Mustangs. A friend said that the steering wheel is a Shelby woodgrain one that's found in Mustangs and is hard to find. We've had only GT Torinos and have seen another Cobra but it didn't look anything like ours. Even just the fact that it has power windows and rear window defrost is odd for that year. Other funny thing is that it has all these extras but no air conditioner! You'd figure that if your going to have the car fully decked out that you'd have an a/c. Thanks for your reply! It is a truly beautiful car.

[escort357]

Ford did make a Torino Cobra, but I've never heard of a Shelby Torino. If that's what it turns out to be, it's got to be one hell of a rare car. You should go on a website I've heard about. It's torinocobra.com. Lots of stuff about Torinos and Torino Cobras. You might be able to use that to help figure out what kind you've got.

[SVTcobra306]

There were Torino GT's, Torino Talladega's, Torino 500's, and Torino Cobras. I'm sure there were a few more, too. I've never heard of a Torino Shelby, though. Keep searchin, but I think you'll find out it has a different wheel in it.

[stanger42]

you might want to stop on by www.fomoco.com/forummain and ask the moderator over there "Mr. F". he's really knowledgable about rarities people ask about.

[cudabob]

Hi,
I have a 1977 Hemmings and there is a Shelby Torino for sale for $1950. The add says only five were made.

[MrPbody]

I never heard of the Shelby version of Torino, but that doesn't mean they didn't make a few... The Torino "Cobra" was available from '69 through '71, though the '71s were "defanged" (compression ratios dropped).

On a side note, I HAVE seen 2 (count 'em) '71 Torino "King Cobra"s. They had an aerodynamic nose modification (far more extensive than Talledega) to combat the "wing thing" MOPARs. Ford killed the project when NASCAR imposed severe limitations on the aero cars (in '71, the Daytonas and Super Birds had to run either a 340 or no windshield...). Ford also stated they COULD build the cars, but the cost would be very high. I have no idea how many were actually built.

Jim

[72' Stang 351 H/O]

Shelby never made a Torino ford just put the 429 CJ in the Torino.

[6t5frlane]

NO Shelby Torinos