1970 Ford Torino 429 Cobra Jet: This Snake Has Fangs!

[@leddygee1896]

1970 was the greatest performance year from Detroit. by 1972, OPEC, environmental, and insurance costs strangled the Muscle car out of existence. It was the golden age... 1964 to 1971.

[@CJColvin]

1973 was the year of Oil Embargo

[@larryjex6485]

Something else that hurt the musclecars were the new breed of superbikes that appeared in the '70s. These crotch rockets could easily humble any production musclecar with their 11-12 second 1/4 miles and still get good gas mileage doing it. The joke at the time was: "My 442 can pass anything on the road but a gas station or that little Kawasaki!".

[@CJColvin]

@larryjex6485 Only problem with those super bikes is that one you can't fit any passengers nor have any safety features as well and not to mention that they're unreliable as well.

[@larryjex6485]

@CJColvin From a practicality standpoint, there's no question that a musclecar is a better choice than a superbike. That being said, nobody bought musclecars for practical reasons, they were sold to look cool and blow the doors off the other cars. In the '60s, they were the fastest thing on the planet, but all that changed in the '70s with the advent of the superbike, which looked cool, could carry your girlfriend, and could make mincemeat of those pesky Hemi Cuda's, which were lucky to pull a 13 on a good day. And in case you didn't already know, Honda's are about as reliable as a ball peen hammer and still do 50 mpg.

[@CJColvin]

@larryjex6485 I doubt it mate and plus if you get into an accident in a Superbike then you're dead mate, plus you're comparing apples to oranges mate.

[@JohnnyAFG81]

Love the Torino! What a car!

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

It was a true beauty

[@nathanieljones7981]

I love my 71 Torino Gt. My 351c 4v 4 speed, PS, and shaker make me giddy when I drive it and break traction all day. And just looking at the car. Loved them since I first saw one, and have owned my 71 since feb. never will sell it!

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Well done!

[@rafaelgarcia-xk7eu]

70 Torinos did not come with torsion bar front suspension. They had coil springs. I have a cobra with a 4 speed trans.

[@JacksoNR26]

Correct only chrysler products had torsion bar front suspensions on their muscle car products

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

That is correct.

[@frozencarguy6274]

Not a Ford guy but I love the Torino.

[@johnpatterson1807]

I’ve always wanted a 70-71. They weren’t easy to find even back in the 90’s

[@richardbrown1553]

Nice! I have that exact same car! Well in 1/18th scale...

[@charlesdalton985]

There's a ton to unpack here and I won't get to it all. In my life, I never noticed the Sport Slats attached at the Dutchman panel! It's interesting to note - he's a Ford man because his dad was. How many of us are that way? And come on 429 CJ in a Torino? It's a monster in a suit! Thank you as always - truly enjoy and learn from the presentation and style you bring. P.S. You had me cracking up during the tach design "conversation". 😂

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

It was on point though right?

[@charlesdalton985]

@@drivebigmuscle8080 Regarding the tach? 100% on point. Your presentation just reminded me of an old Bob Newhart “telephone“ skit. Great delivery.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

THANK YOU! @@charlesdalton985

[@kingoffunelvispresley261]

I've Owend One From 17 To 57 Now , & She Has Been My Best Friend & I Even Drove Her Across Country in 1990 & Still $790.00 in Gas & Today Would be Over $2500,00 'in Gas & 70 Torino Cobra Jet is A Hot Rod , With Global West Suspension on her All The Way Around & it's Mind Blowing 🤜🏼🤯🤛🏼Awesomeness

[@calvincooley1074]

I was 10 in 1978. The neighbors ' son had a Green one of these, 4spd with some slots.

[@V8AmericanMuscleCar]

One of these and it's also green is few miles from me. And the crazy thing is, I live in Croatia.

[@caneloalavarez8131]

Which one would you rather prefer 70 mustang or this Torino?

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

​@@caneloalavarez8131I'll take a 70 Torino Cobra over a 70 Mustang any day of the week.

[@caneloalavarez8131]

@@badass6.0powerstroke10 💯

[@bbb462cid]

70 Torino has been overlooked for many years. Great looking car! Just a note: the quickest way to stop that car is to mash the brakes like you're squashing an armadillo. You're too used to ABS, lol

[@petermcelvogue7521]

You can see the influence of the Australian Ford Falcoln GT coupes from this Torino body style.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

100%

[@V8AmericanMuscleCar]

You guys in Australia have amazing cars from those years. ❤

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

Yes sir, especially those rear windows for the backseat passengers, every time i see one of these 70-71 Torinos with the sports roof design, i always immediately think of the Australian Ford Falcon GT,s.

[@benv1752]

Actually the Aussie Ford designer took a tour of the Ford Design Studio in Dearborn. That's where he got the inspiration for the Falcon coupe design

[@essboo]

That’s a great body style. I’m a sucker for the Cyclone version. Probably because of David Pearson. Gotta love a 429!

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

They Cyclone's were beautiful!

[@jimclarke1108]

Always good to see a great condition 429 CJ, any model 🥰

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Completely agree - they're very underrated.

[@proskills2168]

It teaches you how to drive. Great quote, Mike. Thx man

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Absolutely, and thank you for watching - the car drove beautifully!

[@chuckselvage3157]

I love those Torinos the SCJ 429 was a real animal.

[@paulhardman2515]

One of my all time dream cars! This and its Mercury sibling!

[@jammer96]

Mom owned one of these except it had the 351 Cleveland. It was her first car!! Great looking machine.

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

Mom didn't own a 70 Torino Cobra, 429 Big Blocks Only, probably was a regular Torino, or a Torino GT, But in 71 the Torino Cobra can be had with the Big 429,s or 351 C 4V Only.

[@upinmyglider]

At the 1:00 minute point your caption reads "1974 Ford Torino" - typo.

[@janath9118]

Yes, that's right!

[@cmirwin]

Nice job reviewing this understated muscle car. I always liked them as a teenager.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

🙏

[@czechappy]

This is want made my era of cars not look like all the other cars of today.. I like the TACK where it is, The seat were fine when your under 25 Years Old. Love the car and era, This is the what it was back in the day, The cars were cheaper back then to, There wasn't so many whiner back then to.. Thanks for showing us the car. Just stop knocking it.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Watch it again because last I checked, I loved everything about it (except the tach).

[@denyssarazin3318]

Beautiful, beautiful car!

[@bln3576]

My first car was a 71 Torino. Wish I still had that car. The real deal

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Yes it is!

[@joelbrown2107]

Beautifully designed car. Great content.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thank you!

[@josephg41]

Thanks for covering this car. They've been overlooked for a long time. To me they are the sharpest muscle cars of all time, especially in GT form, and I love all the cars of this era, regardless of brand. I have to thank One particular '71 Calypso Coral Torino GT for igniting my love for all classics, in the late 2000's and early 2010's It sat in a guys' yard, paint fading away, but It looked awesome even in that condition, I grew up noticing it while driving by. I think it has since been saved. I want to get my hands on one that I can restore myself. But they are not easy to find, maybe one day.

[@ludedude5228]

I actually rode in one of these all summer long, back when you could buy them for $1000. It was the 429 SCJ with the 3:91 and top loader . It ran 14.5 at the strip with semi slicks , which was a joke compared to his neighbors 1969 428 SCJ Mustang which ran 12.8 bone stock using the same slicks . The 429 just had no torque and by the time you got it going, it was 5 cars behind the 428 Mustangs . Those 428 SCJ engines were the best Ford ever produced , And Bulletproof "

[@nathanieljones7981]

The 429’s I had/Rode in blew 428’s away

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Man, $1000 now won't buy a set of tires.

[@rogerdodrill4733]

Id always heard 429 canted valve ran & breathed much better than old wedge head 428, not true?

[@nathanieljones7981]

@@rogerdodrill4733 every 429 I’ve seen has ran much better than the 428.

[@Lucille69caddy]

A Ford nut friend of mine told me the 429 SCJ was more of a road race top end engine than it was a 1/4 miler.

[@pinchus34]

Crushed it...again. Love it Mike.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thank you!

[@CloreAutomotive]

One excellent car after another. These are so great Mike.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thank you!

[@haroldbirge6881]

👾I'm not a Ford guy🍀 buttt my God man this car is sick😎✌️

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

It really is!

[@jakobhurlin461]

Mike, love the new video series, reminds me of your old "house of muscle" videos. Rock on

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Appreciate the comment, thank you!

[@joe-hp4nk]

Big blocks respond well to standard bolt on muscle parts.

[@richheider8455]

My dad owned A '70 Torino convertible black on black top with white seat interior that was 351 Super Cobra jet reason he sold the car Was 2 of the ribs in the convertible top were broke 💔

[@cobracharmer6178]

There were no 351 SCJ’s in 1970-1971. However, the 1971 Torino Cobra’s standard engine was a hi performance 351 Cleveland. 429CJ,429SCJ were optional. 1972, the name cobra was added to the fastback Mustang that had a 351 Cleveland high output, or 351cj. It had less horsepower than the 289hipo.

[@richheider8455]

@@cobracharmer6178 The Torino my father owned was a '70 GT with the GT wheels He had to replace the timing chain and he went through 3 different sets to get the right 1 the third 1 was for a 351 super Cobra jet,, 🤔

[@barryrussell4106]

Just found this. I have watched every episode of big muscle and house of muscle can’t wait to watch these. I hope to see you ripping one up like Mike Costailla’s Nova

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Stay tuned!

[@KevinSan88]

These latest episodes are knocking it out of the park, well done Mike

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thank you!

[@w41duvernay]

I always enjoy automotive journalism from Mike Musto.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thank you!@@w41duvernay

[@audieconrad8995]

I don't know where you are driving, but for me, one of the top prerequisites for a great driving road is no powerlines and poles - no matter what ride you are pushing. Duly noted here in this vid. Great car, great driving, great video. 🙌🏼

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thanks so much and really happy you enjoyed it!

[@Johnnycdrums]

The 68' and 69' Cobra's all had power front discc brakes.

[@67marlins]

Beautiful car. And I would never complain about Ford front disc brakes.....they're excellent.

[@corysimpson4770]

Some of the best content on KZbin right now. Really enjoying the reviews of these great cars!

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Thank you!

[@77fordhiboy]

Ive watched all the main stream hot rod car channels and I would like to see alot more of Mike Musto doing these shows. Mike keeps these cars legacy alive through showing us the essence of muscle cars and how elegant they are in comparison to modern day. The camera angle's, ride along shot and video length make perfect content.. Good job Mike the content is spot on !!!

[@FalconClubFCA]

want another body style? 1970 1/2 Ford Falcon!

[@georgeszaslavsky]

great review, yes indeed a rare and underappreciated muscle car.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

It was a great one!

[@pontaverde]

Love these type of videos. Super awesome.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Very much appreciate that!

[@cabaneencac5168]

One of the only American Fords with the flair of Australian Fords like the Falcon Coupe of the 1970s

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Yessir!

[@Bikedueder]

I have a lowly 1970 Formal Roof, but healthy Blueprint 302, beefed up C4 , and Quick Performance rear 8 inch with all the limited slip, 31 spline axles, etc. Looking forward to having it going again, transmission issues.

[@thomas9079]

Awesome!

[@jason3280]

It doesn't have a torsion bar front end it's just coil springs

[@hiitsstillme]

Great cars, I had a similar one with a 4-speed years ago. Compared to GM's mid-size offerings, they were BIG. We read they are comparable in dimensions to a '64 Galaxie. If they were a bit smaller, and at least several hundred pounds lighter, they would have been real street-sweepers in the day.

[@kenbob126]

I was standing next to one of these last weekend. You never know where you will find one. I ask if he would sell it. He said no.

[@tsmith8567]

I took the round Cobra piece off a door panel in a junk yard back in the 80's if anyone is looking for an original one, I was 17 and back then wasn't thinking someone might save the car.

[@Steverinomeister]

Big difference between the CJ and the SCJ. Two bolt mains versus 4 bolt, hydraulic versus solid lifter cam and many more important upgrades. It kind of makes this car feel like an imposter when you don’t clearly define their differences. It would be cool if you could find a Super Cobra Jet and an honest CJ and show the difference. You know, really educate the young generation.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

This is great info, thank you!

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

Yes, many differences, and No GM Quadrajet Carburetor on the SCJ, 780 Holley !

[@patrickmatias746]

Torinos are criminally underrated in my opinion one of my favorite muscle cars

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Same - this car was SO good to drive. Beautifully restored and just an absolute joy of a vehicle.

[@Notyourdaddystoast]

I just picked up a 1970 torino gt cobra jet in factory black with laser stripes

[@aquatecpoolservice4547]

I remember my big brothers best friend had this car. Very fast and I'm pretty sure the raise white letters go on the outside of the tires.

[@lawrencemick1665]

Knew that there would be atleast one comment that goes something like this. I'm not a Ford guy but. Lol gotta love it.

[@tonysteppan8495]

Cool THANKS for picking this one. As always Riding with Mike is informative and well done. I was wondering how this car compared with the Chevelle around the same years. I know the Chevy was cushier, even with a SS package. Maybe a little unfair to compare with a Corba Jet, due to options. But their performance version. None the less. Thanks again this collection is really sweet to watch. Being a west coast person, about close to this is the Brothers collection here in Oregon. Your clips with the owners really adds to the car.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

The Brothers Collection is AMAZING - had the opportunity to visit it earlier this year.

[@johnchurch4705]

Many years ago, either car craft or hot car magazine run a feature from 1970 comparing a Torino, Chevelle SS and a six pack road runner. The Chevy and Ford both run 0-60 in 6 seconds, the six pack run 6.6 but did produce quicker times with a tune.

[@tonysteppan8495]

@@johnchurch4705 Thanks!

[@duanemcdonald3895]

5 rights and miss your 1974 and I love you. 🌎 ❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊

[@leddygee1896]

It's really too bad that the instrument cluster looks like it belongs in a Station Wagon. other than that, It's a Badass Car!! I think they made Torino Station Wagons, Didn't they? I'm old enough to know, but I'm too old to remember!

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Yeah, the tach was a total after thought

[@Slowgroovin]

I'd rather drive an old car like that than any modern muscle car. I don't need my hand held by onboard computers and such. This is a man's car.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

It was just and all around wonderful machine!

[@kanaric]

Talk like you got low T for sure

[@mechanknuckle]

I've had 7 Torinos in my life. They're a grown up Mustang... that's that.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Which of them did you enjoy the most?! Where they all built differently?

[@mechanknuckle]

I had a LOT o cars them all when I was a lot younger except my current `68 Torino GT. I had a `70 Montego MX, a `69 Cyclone, `69 Charger, a `71 Buick GS455, etc. but... I grew up in the back seat of my mom's `68 Torino Squire wagon with a 250 six. As a teen and younger man I had a a few `70 Torino GTs with 351 Clevelands. One was a rare silver color, one was green and another was maroon. My favorite though was a `71 grabber blue CJ Cobra with blacked out hood which was a TON of fun. She was my baby, but I sold it and bought a I had a `71 GT convertible with a 351c that got totaled while waiting at a light right after I gassed it up for the NY winter garage hibernation. It was really rare to see them so it got a lot of looks and questions. After the wreck I got out of cars or many years. Then in 2014 the Torino bug bit, and I scratched! I bought an original owner `68 Torino GT sportsroof sitting in a Manteca CA garage, covered with boxes. I did a ground-up resto on it, but over the past few years I modded it by swapping in a 468 BBF. I can't have enough torque, what can I say. I'm a restoration mechanic at a classic British sportscar shop (Jags, MGs, Triumphs, Austin Healeys, etc. ) so now I also own a `67 and `68 MGB GT. @@hemmingsmotornews

[@mikeymac9]

So many Chevelles still out there and no Torinos.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Yup, and it's a shame

[@joebacarella2829]

You sure don`t see these much more, it`s pretty rare to see one, i`m a Mopar guy, but these were formidible on the street, it was a great body style.

[@stevethomas760]

Back in the day there was a '70 Cobra Jet Torino running around. The story goes that he dropped of the car at the local Ford dealership for something and they needed to keep it over the weekend. He was at his girlfriend's apartment and there was somebody doing burnouts in the parking lot. Yep, his car.

[@ryanhobbs3362]

'69 perhaps

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

79 Cobra Jet ???

[@stevethomas760]

Thanks for the help@@badass6.0powerstroke10

[@larryjex6485]

I always wanted a '70 Torino Cobra, but it seems like every one I looked at had the N code 429 Thunderjet with the flat hood, not the J code 429 Cobra Jet with the shaker like this one. It turns out that second generation Cobra's do not come with a CJ as standard equipment. 70's come with the base 429 and 71's with a 351 Cleveland. Also, the sport mirrors are standard on the fancier GT, and an option on the Cobra.

[@davidkeeton6716]

The N code 429 was no slouch. I had one in a 71 Ford Custom police spec car. It was just as fast and quick as my 70 Plymouth Fury 1 440 police pursuit package.

[@larryjex6485]

@davidkeeton6716 I know, my '70 T-Bird Landau had one. Now I wish I'd picked one up when I could.

[@jerryfriday5335]

My mom and dad had a 70 torino grabber green 429 scj. Very fast car.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

What was your favorite thing about it?!

[@Dan-gi7yz]

Had a white 72. Had the fading stripe. 351 SCJ. H PIPES C 6 . Locking differential. She was hotter than a 2 dollar pistol )

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

HAHA!

[@ksliebe]

I had one in High school 1973. Medium blue metallic. I tried to buy it back years ago but the guy wouldn't sell it.

[@LORISSABOOBMAN]

My last car i owned & drove till 97 1972 Gran Torino Sport 351CJ, ps pb ac C-6 higher stall torque converter, dual point ignition experimental ford part dual plane intake 4 bolt mains. 178k no head or ring work put cloyes double roller in it. 3.25 rear gear

[@blazano7487]

The host started the video calling it a 1974 model. Does he know cars?

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Nope, listen closely, I said Nineteen Seventy Ford Torino - read it fast - sounds like just 1974 Torino.

[@blazano7487]

Whoever edited the video put 1974 Torino in the caption above right when you say it.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

@@blazano7487 Yes. It was typo. Sometimes it happens.

[@daleostrom3613]

Car magazines from the muscle car era put the 1970 Torino Cobra 429 SCJ on the top ten list of fastest cars. It ran the exact same ET as the 427 435 hp Corvette.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

I was very surprised at how quick it was, more so, it drove beautifully!

[@orwellknew9112]

The Torino was Ford’s Chevelle/Cutlass/Tempest/Skylark. It was right in that same size sweet spot. Large enough to be comfortable, smooth riding and take the wife and 2 kids on vacation, but small enough to be lighter, quicker, more nimble and sporty than the full sized cars of the era. My high school friend’s father had a ‘68 Cyclone with a 390 that was very different than the gutless ones we had in our Ford station wagons. Until he took me for a blast in that car, I thought all 390’s were boat anchors. Not true. The 390 in that Torino was a whole different animal. A few years later, I owned a 1972 Cutlass S. Those were the days….

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Thank you for sharing!

[@StuartWells-s3n]

What a beast

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

Musto is awesome

[@Crimson3ffect]

Love it!❤

[@tomcronininc]

Beautiful

[@hemmingsmotornews]

👏👏👏

[@thunder14062]

Beautiful car! Why in the hell wouldn't you show the white raised letter's on the outside of the tires?

[@davebodi]

I need my 1972 Ford Ranchero GT restored. Who is the Mike you mentioned ?

[@crusinsouthernstylecarshow25]

I have a 1971 torino GT / Cobra yea its both and i have the ori ginal sticker price from the original owner to prove lol.i actuality just posted a video of it on my channel first of this week its bright red with a yellow laser strip with a 351 Cleveland

[@davidheitman7004]

big muscle is back baby! ha.

[@New_Jax_City]

1:00 into the videothis guys editor literally puts 1974 ford torino cobra ON THE SCREEN!! Go look!

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

We know. It was a typo. It happens.

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

Nice car

[@bruceh92]

GM had all the cool A bodies - all 4 of them badass in their own right - so Ford needed a winner in the Torino. Would you take the Torino over the Chevelle SS, GTO ram air, 442 W30, and Buick GS stage 1 ?

[@user-rb1yf4he9q]

Did Mercury ever use that motor in one of their cars. I know they had some serious muscle back in the day.

[@KirkSH52]

This sucks that you don’t show the hood of the car and the road. I want to see and feel what it is like to be in the car going down the road.

[@viralbest]

I'd say present day is greatest performance cars frfr

[@ellisonlowrimore7751]

Just put a toploader in it and it’s perfect

[@davidkeeton6716]

Why would you release this with the banner saying 1974 Torino Cobra at the 1:00 mark?

[@suffolkmike1]

I had a 68 Torino and i like the 68s dash better but i like the 70 body style better

[@henrycow203]

Fantastic! Muscle car! And we get exactly 3 seconds film on the engine... from 12:38 to 12:41... 😑

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Noted.

[@LORISSABOOBMAN]

Never wanted a Mustang when i saw a Maroon Talladega being sold i had my Torino already. Sat in a 66 coupe, could not operate steering wheel & the pedals at the same time the seat track stop was broke touching back seat then i barely could.

[@duanemcdonald3895]

I love you. 🌎

[@romul777]

ВИ РОБИТЕ ЧУДОВУ РОБОТУ. ВИ МОЛОДЦІ

[@donovanduguay4060]

this is a 1970 not 1974. never had the cobra, 429 then. only 2 years. 70-71. how did Hemmings get this wrong??!!

[@ksliebe]

These cars are hard to find.

[@BessieMorrison]

74 or 70?

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

70 - it was a typo.

[@davebodi]

I thought FM started in 1972.

[@BubbaSmurft]

Torino's an intermediate, not full sized and it's a '70 not '74 as introduced on the film.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Typo.

[@michelleleeginger5225]

Who is your video editor??? 1974???

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

Typo - it happens.

[@michelleleeginger5225]

@drivebigmuscle8080 Proofreading doesn't...got it.

[@matrox]

This guy just annoys me, complaining about how they built the car 50 years ago. Look how he picks apart the dash. He makes it sound like the Mustang was not an adequate daily driver 50 years ago.

[@Doug-mc3dd]

He nit picks like he is a know it all and could have done a better job than Ford.

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

I never said the Mustang wasn't adequate, what I said was the the Torino was more refined, which it is. As for the tach, can you honestly tell me where it's located is the best placement for what many consider a key informational gauge in a performance car?

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

@@Doug-mc3dd Not nitpicking - just being honest.

[@Doug-mc3dd]

@@drivebigmuscle8080 Ever consider its put there because of other dash requirements or maybe whats behind the dash taking up space making the decision to place it there? A lot goes into designing cars, cost time, manufacturing, profit, keeping prices low. It ain't just about putting something there just to be putting it there.

[@darrylsmith8681]

1974 ?

[@drivebigmuscle8080]

It was a typo, it happens.

[@alanwannemaker2518]

I'm a car Freak the make or module doesn't matter !