This is a 1969 Ford Torino Talladega. Designed by Ralph Moody of Holman-Moody, the Torino Talladega was a homologation special version of the Ford Torino and Fairlane.
Unveiled in 1969 as a way to make Ford more competitive In NASCAR, the Torino Talladega was a heavily revised version of the Torino Cobra performance package. The car was named for the then-recently opened Talladega Superspeedway and was based on the Torino SportsRoof with a modified design; attributed to Holman-Moody, the Torino Talladega's bodywork featured a sleeker front, a longer nose, a flush grille, a modified front bumper assembly and reshaped rocker panels. Many of these changes were notably well-kept secrets.
Under the hood of the Torino Talladega was a 428 ci (7.0L) Cobra Jet V8, mated to a 3-speed Ford C6 SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic; the engine produced about 335 horsepower. Also present on the Torino Talladega were competition black hoods and rear tail panels on all production cars. Only three colors were offered: Wimbledon White, Royal Maroon and Presidential Blue, although a specially modified Torino Talladega in a possibly unique yellow shade was given to Ford President Bunkie Knudsen.
Regarded as the first of the NASCAR Aero Warriors, alongside its mechanically similar cousin the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II and its rivals the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird, the Torino Talladega was a highly successful car, winning some 29 Grand-Am races; however, Ford would abandon all its racing programs in 1970 when questioned about its necessity. NASCAR would effectively ban the Aero Warriors in 1971 by restricting engine sizes, leading them to never race again. Today, the Torino Talladega is viewed as being relatively undervalued compared to its peers. 754 were produced.
Now this casting was designed by Alec Tam and introduced in 2008. This casting has seen twenty-two known releases, the last being this one in 2026.
