Forgotten Ford muscle car is so rare you're unlikely to ever see it in person
- Ford built just three examples of the 1970 Torino King Cobra
- Designed to challenge Dodge in NASCAR with radical aero
- The project was scrapped before it ever hit the track
Published on Apr 21, 2025 at 5:03 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Apr 09, 2025 at 3:44 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
You’ve heard of the Boss 429. You might even know the Fairlane Thunderbolt. But Ford built a car so rare and so specific that even lifelong enthusiasts may never see one in person.
It’s called the 1970 Ford Torino King Cobra, and only three were ever built.
This was not just another trim level or special edition.
It was a full-blown NASCAR homologation prototype, developed in secrecy and shelved before it could make its mark.
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Ford’s forgotten NASCAR fighter
In 1969, Dodge launched the Charger Daytona, followed shortly by the Plymouth Superbird.
With their wild aerodynamics and dominant speed, these cars reshaped stock car racing. Ford needed a competitive answer.
That answer was the Torino King Cobra, a modified Torino with a sloped nose, faired-in headlights, and a long, low profile designed for high-speed tracks like Daytona and Talladega. The goal was simple — win races.
Power came from a 429 Cobra Jet V8
Beneath the aerodynamic bodywork sat a 429 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8, delivering around 370 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. It was available with either a four-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Estimates suggest it could reach 0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of approximately 135mph. That made it fast enough to keep up with the very best in its era, at least on paper.
The project ended before it could start
Just as the King Cobra was nearing NASCAR homologation, Ford pulled out of factory-backed racing.
Under the direction of Lee Iacocca, the company shifted priorities, and the entire King Cobra program was canceled.
Only three prototypes were ever completed. They were never sold to the public and were slightly different in their configurations. One had a manual gearbox, the other two were automatics.
An ultra-rare piece of Ford’s racing history
The Torino King Cobra never got the chance to prove itself on track, but its intent was clear. It was designed with one purpose — to win.
Its cancellation turned it into a mystery.
Today, all three examples are accounted for but remain hidden in private collections. They are rarely seen at events, never auctioned publicly, and essentially lost to time.
It is one of the rarest Ford muscle cars ever created.
For most people, the King Cobra will remain just a photo and a story — one that lives in the shadows of what could have been.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
