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The 60’s was an exciting time in NASCAR racing. GM had pulled out of factory backing leaving Ford and Chrysler battling hard for the manufacturing championship. Chrysler had the Hemi 426 and Ford had the 427. Ford had developed a version of a 427 but it was not approved by NASCAR. Ford was looking for a different angle. In 1969, Dodge entered the Charger 500 into the field with a 426 Hemi. The engine was stout but the aerodynamics were that of a brick. Ford, along with factory backed team Holman-Moody developed an improved version of the Torino fastback with superior aerodynamics. Named after the new track in Alabama, The Torino Talladega sported a sloped nose, with a flush fit bumper and grill and the rocker panels were rolled to improve ride height (getting it lower to the ground). The racing versions of the car were powered by a Hemi-headed 429. Homologation means an agreed upon number. In NASCAR terms it means that homologation rules stated that manufacturers must produce at least 500 cars of the same kind for the street before it was considered “stock”. Homologation rules were separate for the car and the engine. Slumping Mustang sales caused the street 429 (Boss 429) to be put in Mustangs, thus the Boss 429 Mustang was born. The Boss 429 and the racing versions were a little different but considered the same under NASCAR rules. The Boss 429 is not to be confused with the 429 Cobra-Jet. The FE block was much cheaper to produce and offered versatility. The 428 Cobra-Jet was the chosen engine for the street version of the Torino Talladega. Ford captured the NASCAR title in 1969 with a Talladega driven by David Pearson out of the Holman-Moody stables. In all, Ford was dominant with 28 wins in 1969. The Talladega was so much better than the Plymouth, Richard Petty switched to a Ford in 1969. The “aero wars” were in full swing and led to even more radical designs. Dodge came out with the Daytona Charger and Plymouth followed with the Superbird. Ford was going to counter with the King Cobra, but NASCAR and geopolitics ended the “aero wars”.
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The Torino Talladega Story |
