1969 Fairlane Cobra Torino Cobra 428cobra Jet 428cj Ram Air R Code on 2040-cars

1969 Ford fairlane COBRA

428 Cobra Jet - 4 Speed - 3.50 Traction Lock

rare Formal Roof Bucket seat hard top

True barn find pulled from a Michigan storage garage. Car was put away in the late 70's and sat for many years. Southern car purchased new in Florida from Grant Motor company dealership. Looks to have been lightly raced since new and well cared for. It made its way north in the late 70's and was lightly used since.  Just over 68k miles (and going as I drive it) on the odometer and seems to be correct.

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Body/Structure:

Car was originally Wimbledon White. One repaint in early 70's to Raven Black. One small rust bubble on driver’s side of rear wheel 1/4 panel is the only major body rust evident. Very solid body that looks like all the original panels and very straight for a black car.  The paint is fine from 50', but up close it is showing age with some random chipping and shrinking here & there. It is fine for a driver and gets attention where ever I drive but for show duty, It could use a fresh repaint.  Must have been a quality job back in the day as there is no evidence of the factory white except behind the seats and under the carpet.  I plan to return it to its factory Ford Racing White but speaking to some of the previous owners, its been black for much of its life probably longer then white.

Nice Floorpans, torque boxes and frame rails.  No evidence of accident damage or rust/rust repair.  Very solid with clean uncoated metal.  Trunk floors and dropoffs look great.  All weatherstrip is old and dry requiring replacement.   

Engine:

428 Cobra Jet engine runs very strong with no smoke and good oil pressure.  Engine was rebuilt about 5-7 years ago. Block is not numbers matching but is a 428 Cobra Jet service block. Heads are correct 428CJ and may be correct, but I have not checked the dates under the valve covers.  The original correct Holley carburetor sits atop a modern Edelbrock Performer intake manifold.  Breather Ram Air assembly looks original and correct but no S-tube or heat shield.  Ignition is handled by a MSD ignition box and billet distributor that keep timing spot on with no detonation. Valve train specs are not documented but my experience and sound suggests a Mild solid lifter cam that idles around 800 rpm, has some muscle car lope & clackety clack sound but not absurd. Correct Cobra Jet exhaust header manifolds vent spent gasses through a newly installed 2 1/2 inch exhaust system with Thrush Stainless mufflers.  Nice rumble at idle and cruise tone is mellow due to the manifolds. It will bark when you dip in to the secondary’s though.

Driveline:

Correct RUG-AJ coded Toploader 4-speed transmission with vintage Hurst shifter goes smoothly through all gears.  Reverse light switch is on shifter needs replacement.  Nodular 9 inch housing (no N on these early rear housings) with 3.50 9 traction lock operates smoothly and quiet with no clunking.

Suspension appears in good condition & functions well with no issues as the car drives straight and smooth. There is an occasional minor squeak from urethane strut rod bushings that comes and goes.  Old air shocks in rear, stock type up front.   Drum brakes on all 4 corners work as intended.

All in all, it feels very solid for a 60's muscle car. Will need weather-strip and rubber window trim to remove the old car drafts and wind noise.

Interior:

Interior is original. A new carpet would help freshen up things but its very clean with a vintage patina that feels unmolested and homey. Seats in front are starting to show some wear. Drivers seat has 2 tears where the vinyl is worn through (i was told by a screwdriver in a pocket) but given the vintage appeal of the interior, its not too objectionable for driver quality. Dash pad is nice and no obvious cracking. The console front where the glove box compartment was has been removed to facilitate aftermarket gauge installation. You don’t really notice this due to a factory looking trim panel that has been fabricated to fill the space neatly. Rear window gasket leaks a bit in the rain and as I mentioned, the car really needs new weather-strip all around.

Electrical system functions normal, radio works & factory gauges and lights all work as intended with the exception of temp & oil. They have been bypassed for the aforementioned sun gauges.  Fuel gauge functions but does not go to Full.  Reverse lights don’t work due to bad reverse shifter switch below car.  Windows roll up and down with slight movment again, due to needing new rubbers.

Wheels/Tires:

Vintage looking Cragar SST wheels and tires have been on the car for some time. 225x70x15 front & 275X60X15 Kelly Charger L60 rear. I have an original set of 15" wheels (no tires) and dog dish hub caps to include with this car.  The car sits almost level & has a true vintage drag look. I don't know if the front springs are stock or were modified to facilitate quarter mile weight transfer, but I would leave it as is. It just looks right given the racing nature of this vintage Cobra.

OVERALL:

It’s a nice solid driving legit Fairlane Cobra 428 4-speed R code. You simply don't see many formal roof Fairlane/Torino Cobras and most have the bench seat.  This is a very easy car to refresh for show with paint, detailing underside etc.  This is my car Registered-titled in my name that I planned to restore.  New York is a transferable registration state, registration is in my name.  I would love to return it to Wimbledon White with the dog dish hub caps if given the chance. Its going to sit in a secure garage until sold or I get the time to finish in a manner it deserves.  Questions welcome and encouraged.