1969 Ford Fairlane Torino Talladega Coupe

This 1969 Ford Torino Talladega is unique in being produced solely for NASCAR auto racing. The Ford regular production Torino was like a brick on NASCAR oval tracks and something had to be done as Dodge had already beat Ford to the punch by releasing an improved version of the Charger. Ford decided to beat Dodge in their own game and modified the 1969 Torino so it would cut through the pack at very high speeds. They did this by making the grille flush with the front bumper as Dodge had done with the Charger, to gain an aerodynamic advantage. Ford also rolled the rocker panels up 1-inch so the cars could be altered on the tracks for less air under the car and more air over the top. The Torino was suddenly transformed into a wind cheating wedge. Richard Petty drove a Talladega for the 1969 and 1970 season.

The cars that ran at the track used 427 engines. The 745 that were factory produced used the 428 Cobra Jet, rated at 335 horsepower and backed by a C-6 automatic transmission which were all shifted on the column. The cars came in one of three colors, Wimbleton White, Presidential Blue, or Royal Maroon. An engine oil cooler was standard.