1969 · Ford · United States
1969 Ford Torino: The Cobra Ate Birds, the Talladega Chased Daytona
The Torino GT carried most of the line's volume, the 428 Cobra Jet was in its first full year, and the Talladega aero fastback was built in a short run at Atlanta to homologate a NASCAR nose.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
Ford's public-relations man was not at the track the day Car Life tested the new Fairlane Cobra, and the magazine later said that was just as well. Its January 1969 report admitted the editors had planned a joke at his expense: the Plymouth Road Runner brought along for comparison was not fresh from a showroom floor. The joke backfired. Car Life conceded that the Ford was not the faster car, but reported that the Cobra pulled a hole shot on the Road Runner on most runs and never lost by more than two lengths. The subhead repeated the Ford man's boast: 'This one eats birds for breakfast.'1
That boast named the target. Wikipedia's Torino history and Over-Drive Magazine's fact sheet both describe the 1969 Cobra as Ford's response to the Road Runner, and Over-Drive notes that it wore the plainer Fairlane 500 trim level to keep costs down. The Cobra came standard with the 428 Cobra Jet, rated at 335 gross horsepower and 440 lb-ft, a four-speed manual, competition suspension, F70-14 tires, a blacked-out grille and hood lock pins; Ram Air was optional. Over-Drive's compiled production table lists factory prices of $3,183 for the Cobra fastback and $3,208 for the Cobra hardtop, against $2,823 for a V-8 Torino GT fastback.2,3,4
What Ford would not supply was a Cobra count. Over-Drive states plainly that Ford did not publish separate production figures for the Cobra, and its table folds the Cobra into the Torino GT lines: 61,319 GT and Cobra fastbacks, 17,951 GT and Cobra hardtops and 2,552 GT convertibles, 81,822 in all. The Standard Catalog lineage relayed by Wikipedia gives the same 81,822 inside 129,054 Torinos, so GTs and Cobras together were about 63 percent of the Torino series. The same Over-Drive table totals the Fairlane-Torino line at 352,439, while the Standard Catalog figure is 366,911; neither source explains the gap, and no Cobra-only count found in this research is documented well enough to print.3,4,2
Car Life's own figures belong to one Ford-supplied fastback: a four-speed Cobra with a 3.50:1 axle and the $133.44 ram-air hood scoop, listed at $3,139 FOB and $3,945 as tested, weighing 4,105 pounds with test equipment aboard. It ran from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds at 95.2 mph, and reached 125.5 mph. Motor Trend's January 1969 supercar comparison timed a Cobra with the same engine, gearbox and axle at 6.3 seconds to 60 and 14.5 seconds at 100.0 mph for the quarter. Each set of numbers stays with its own car and its own day; together they show how widely press Cobras could vary.1,5
The testers agreed more about character than about stopwatches. Motor Trend wrote that 'the Cobra definitely is the leader when it comes to body tightness, quality construction and low noise level,' and rated it the best of its group for smooth, quiet expressway driving, though it warned that clutch effort wore on a driver in traffic. Car Life found more body lean than in the Mercury Cyclone it had tested the previous year, disliked a shifter that let a driver bounce off reverse, and noted that the elegant semi-bucket interior offered only a speedometer, fuel gauge and warning lights. Motor Trend also made the corporate point, calling the Cobra a 'martyr to the cost-conscious economics of duplicity' because it shared its engine and body with the Cyclone.5,1
The Cobra fought Chrysler on the street; the Talladega was built to fight it at Daytona. NASCAR's homologation rule required a minimum of 500 cars sold to the public before a body could race, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame records that Dodge had announced the flush-grilled Charger 500 in the fall of 1968. Ford's answer stretched the Torino fastback's nose about six inches, set a flat grille flush at the front of the opening, used a cut and narrowed rear bumper as a crude front air dam, and reshaped the rocker panels so race cars could run about an inch lower within the rules. Wikipedia names Ralph Moody as designer and credits the Holman-Moody shop; Old Cars Weekly names Banjo Mathews and Holman-Moody.6,7,8,3
The street cars were built quickly and built alike. The Talladega and Spoiler Registry records every production Talladega at Ford's Atlanta plant on body code 63B, the Fairlane 500 fastback code, with the Q-code 428 Cobra Jet without Ram Air, a C6 automatic, black cloth-and-vinyl bench trim, and one of three colours: Wimbledon White, Royal Maroon or Presidential Blue. Wikipedia dates the homologation run from January 21 to February 28, 1969, and Old Cars Weekly dates the first regular-production car January 22. Old Cars Weekly puts the price at $3,680, against $3,183 for a Cobra SportsRoof. The racing nose, in other words, reached buyers on an automatic, bench-seat car rather than on a four-speed Cobra.9,6,8
How many were built is still argued. The registry now believes 738 production cars and splits them 279 white, 258 maroon and 199 blue, although those three figures add to 736. Wikipedia says as many as 754 may have been built, that the registry can account for 750, and gives 286 white cars; the two agree on 258 maroon and 199 blue. Wikipedia also records one more car built on March 20, 1969 at the Lorain plant for Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen, whom The Henry Ford's chronology dates as Ford's president from February 1968, and neither source says whether that car is counted. Every version of the total clears NASCAR's 500-car minimum.9,6,10
On the track the long-nose Fords delivered. LeeRoy Yarbrough won the February 23 Daytona 500 in Junior Johnson's Ford, a back-up car after he crashed his primary one, with Charlie Glotzbach's Dodge second, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame counts seven Yarbrough wins that year. Richard Petty left Plymouth on what the Hall calls a one-year deal to drive a Ford Torino Talladega, and the Talladega and Spoiler Registry credits him with ten wins in his only Ford season. David Pearson won the championship for Holman-Moody with 11 victories and 42 top-five finishes in 51 races. The Hall counts 26 Ford wins to Dodge's 22 for 1969, and Wikipedia credits the Talladega with 29 Grand National wins across 1969 and 1970.11,12,13,7,6
The irony arrived in September. The car was named for Alabama's new superspeedway, yet at that track's first race on September 14 many leading drivers withdrew over tire safety, NASCAR ran the race anyway, and Richard Brickhouse won in the winged Dodge Charger Daytona, the car the NASCAR Hall of Fame says Chrysler built in response to Petty's move to Ford. For 1970 Petty went back to Plymouth and its Superbird; Ford kept racing the 1969 Talladega body because the new 1970 Torino was heavier and less competitive; and for 1971 NASCAR rewrote its rules to push the aero cars out. The 1969 Torino is the year Ford's intermediate fought two campaigns at once, one at the stoplight and one on the superspeedways.14,12,7,2
Fact sheet · 1969 · United States
The numbers
1969 Ford Torino — The Torino GT carried most of the line's volume, the 428 Cobra Jet was in its first full year, and the Talladega aero fastback was built in a short run at Atlanta to homologate a NASCAR nose.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Torino GT: 81,822 of 129,054 Torinos (Standard Catalog lineage).2,3
- Every production Talladega used engine code Q (428 4V non-Ram Air) and was built at Atlanta; the homologation cars were built between January 21 and February 28, 1969.9,6
- Talladega colours were limited to Wimbledon White (M), Royal Maroon (B) and Presidential Blue (X).9
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlane-Torino intermediate line, all series2,3,15 Fairlane, Fairlane 500, Torino, Torino GT · as published Context row; also shown on the 1969 Fairlane record. | 366,911 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino series (Torino and Torino GT), all bodies2,3 Torino, Torino GT · as published Whether the 1969 Cobra (sold as a Fairlane/Torino Cobra) is inside this total is not stated by either source. | 129,054 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torino GT, all bodies2,3,4 Torino GT · as published | 81,822 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torino GT SportsRoof (fastback)3,4 Torino GT · 2-door SportsRoof · as published The source states this figure is combined with the Cobra version (verbatim check). With the two rows below this row sums to the 81,822 GT total, which implies that total also counts Cobras; the source does not say so. | 61,319 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT 2-door hardtop3,4 Torino GT · 2-door hardtop · as published Source states GT hardtop and Cobra hardtop combined. | 17,951 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino 2-door hardtop (non-GT)3 Torino · 2-door hardtop · as published Source wording is 'delivered'. | 20,789 | delivered, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT convertible3 Torino GT · convertible · as published | 2,552 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino 4-door sedan3 Torino · 4-door sedan · as published | 11,971 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino Squire station wagon3 Torino Squire · station wagon · as published | 14,472 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT SportsRoof, bucket seats (registry code 63D)15 Torino GT (incl. Cobra) · 2-door fastback, 63D · as published Body letters as the registry prints them; the Over-Drive table uses 63D for GT and 63H for Cobra instead. | 20,440 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT SportsRoof, bench seat (registry code 63F)15 Torino GT (incl. Cobra) · 2-door fastback, 63F · as published 63D plus 63F equal the 61,319 fastback figure above. | 40,879 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT hardtop, bucket seats (registry code 65D)15 Torino GT (incl. Cobra) · 2-door hardtop, 65D · as published | 5,068 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT hardtop, bench seat (registry code 65F)15 Torino GT (incl. Cobra) · 2-door hardtop, 65F · as published 65D plus 65F equal the 17,951 hardtop figure above. | 12,883 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT convertible, bucket seats (76D)15 Torino GT · convertible, 76D · as published | 928 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Torino GT convertible, bench seat (76F)15 Torino GT · convertible, 76F · as published 76D plus 76F equal the 2,552 convertible figure above. | 1,624 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torino Talladega, production cars9 Talladega · 2-door fastback (body 63B) · 428 4V non-Ram Air (Q) · automatic (code U) · Atlanta assembly Registry's current belief. Wikipedia gives up to 754 (registry could account for 750). See conflicts. Wikipedia also records a special post-production car built at Lorain in March 1969 for Semon Knudsen; neither source says whether it is counted. | 738 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talladega in Wimbledon White (M)9 Talladega · 63B · Q · U · Atlanta Wikipedia gives 286. The registry's three colour counts sum to 736, not its stated 738. | 279 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| Talladega in Royal Maroon (B)9,6 Talladega · 63B · Q · U · Atlanta Both sources agree; lineage may be shared. | 258 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Talladega in Presidential Blue (X)9,6 Talladega · 63B · Q · U · Atlanta Both sources agree; lineage may be shared. | 199 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them unless a note says they partition a total.
The three Torino GT body rows sum to the reported 81,822 GT total; that is an arithmetic observation, not a source statement.
Over-Drive Magazine's 1969 production sentences repeat the Wikipedia/Standard Catalog wording (including the 754 Talladega sentence), so the two citations are one lineage, not two confirmations.
No sourced count of 1969 Cobra production or of 428 Cobra Jet installations by code (Q versus R) was found; see unpublished leads.
The production table gives the Cobra its own body codes and prices (63H fastback, 65H hardtop) but combines each with the matching GT body (63D, 65D) in one production cell, so no Cobra count can be read from it. Its 352,439 total omits the Torino Squire rows (14,472): its Torino model total of 32,760 is the sedan plus hardtop only. With the Squire the table's rows add to the 366,911 line total.
Rows prefixed reg- come from the fordfairlane.com registry (Standard Catalog lineage) and split each Torino GT body by seat type. Cobra rows on that page show no counts.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Torino GT convertible, base3 | $3,073 | base price as compiled by Over-Drive Magazine (basis not stated), 1968-09 |
| Torino 4-door sedan (54C), six4 | $2,716 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino 4-door sedan (54C), V84 | $2,806 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino 2-door hardtop (65C), six4 | $2,737 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino 2-door hardtop (65C), V84 | $2,827 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino Squire wagon (71E), six4 | $3,090 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino Squire wagon (71E), V84 | $3,180 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino GT SportsRoof fastback (63D)4 | $2,823 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino Cobra SportsRoof fastback (63H)4 | $3,183 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino GT 2-door hardtop (65D)4 | $2,848 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
| Torino Cobra 2-door hardtop (65H)4 | $3,208 | factory price as compiled (base list, by engine), 1969 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 six 1-bbl3 250 cu in · 1-barrel | 155 hp @ 4,000, 240 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE gross) | standard, non-GT | Not yet sourced |
| F · 302 V8 2-bbl3 302 cu in · 2-barrel | 220 hp @ 4,600, 300 lb-ft @ 2,600 (SAE gross) | standard on Torino GT; optional others ($107) | Not yet sourced |
| H · 351 V8 2-bbl3 351 cu in · 2-barrel | 250 hp @ 4,600, 355 lb-ft @ 2,600 (SAE gross) | optional ($84 as compiled) | Not yet sourced |
| M · 351 V8 4-bbl3 351 cu in · 4-barrel | 290 hp @ 4,800, 385 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional ($184 as compiled) | Not yet sourced |
| S · 390 V8 4-bbl3 390 cu in · 4-barrel | 320 hp @ 4,600, 427 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional ($264 as compiled) | Not yet sourced |
| Q · 428 Cobra Jet 4-bbl (non-Ram Air)3,9 428 cu in · 4-barrel | 335 hp @ 5,200, 440 lb-ft @ 3,400 (SAE gross) | optional ($444 as compiled); the only engine in production Talladegas | Not yet sourced |
| T · 250 I6 1-bbl3 250 cu in · 1-barrel | 155 hp @ 4,000, 240 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE gross) | standard six (Torino; not GT) | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed manual3 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 4-speed manual3 | optional, $194 | Not yet sourced |
| U · Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic3,9 | optional, $184 (six/302) or $222 (390/428); code U on all Talladegas | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Air conditioning3 | $395 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power disc brakes3 | $65 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering3 | $100 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power windows3 | $100 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM radio3 | $61 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM/FM stereo radio3 | $181 | Not yet sourced |
|
8-track tape player3 | $139 | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl roof, 2-door3 | $74 | Not yet sourced |
|
Two-tone paint3 | $27 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windshield3 | $44 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers3 | $45 | Not yet sourced |
|
Whitewall tires3 | $34 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission (six and 302)3 | $184 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission (390 and 428)3 | $222 | Not yet sourced |
|
Four-speed manual transmission (standard on Cobra)3 | $194 | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl roof, 4-door hardtop3 | $90 | Not yet sourced |
|
Luggage rack, station wagons3 | $47 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power tailgate, station wagons3 | $35 | Not yet sourced |
|
302 V8 engine (standard on GT)3 | $107 | Not yet sourced |
|
351 2-barrel V8 engine3 | $84 | Not yet sourced |
|
351 4-barrel V8 engine3 | $184 | Not yet sourced |
|
390 4-barrel V8 engine3 | $264 | Not yet sourced |
|
428 Cobra Jet 4-barrel 335 hp V8 engine3 | $444 | Not yet sourced |
|
428 4V Cobra Jet 'Non-Ram-Air' (includes 80-amp heavy-duty battery, 3.25 non-locking axle, extra cooling, 55-amp alternator, bright rocker covers, dual exhausts)15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
428 4V Cobra Jet 'Ram-Air-Induction' (as above with 3.50 non-locking axle, cast rocker covers and a functional hood scoop)15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Traction-Lok differential (not with 250 six or 302)15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Competition suspension (ultra-heavy-duty springs and shocks, staggered rear shocks with 4-speed, extra-heavy-duty stabilizer bar)15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
GT Handling suspension15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Tachometer, 6000 rpm (in-dash; hood-mounted tachometer dealer-installed)15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Four-speed manual, close ratio15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Four-speed manual, wide ratio15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Battery, heavy duty, trunk mounted15 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Argent styled steel wheels with trim rings (standard on Torino GT)15 | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Raven Black (M1247)3 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Royal Maroon (M3059)3 | 2589 Reported |
C |
Black Jade (M3197)3 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Aztec Aqua (M3191)3 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Gulfstream Aqua (M3065)3 | Not yet sourced |
I |
Lime Gold (M2041)3 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Wimbledon White (M1619)3 | 2799 Disputed |
Q |
Brittany Blue (M1624)3 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Champagne Gold (M3199)3 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Candyapple Red (M2008)3 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Meadowlark Yellow (M3120)3 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Presidential Blue (M3061)3 | 1999 Reported |
Y |
Indian Fire (M3202)3 | Not yet sourced |
2 |
New Lime (M3071)3 | Not yet sourced |
8 |
Dresden Blue (M3190)3 | Not yet sourced |
9 |
Yellow (M3217)3 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Pastel Grey15 | Not yet sourced |
G |
Medium Orchid Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Light Green15 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Dark Aqua Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Light Grey Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Platinum15 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Medium Blue Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Light Gold15 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Medium Aqua Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Light Aurora Copper Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Dark Grey Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
3 |
Calypso Coral15 | Not yet sourced |
4 |
Medium Emerald Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
6 |
Bright Blue Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
7 |
Light Emerald Green Metallic15 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
1A |
Black cloth and vinyl, bench seat (the Talladega trim)9 | Not yet sourced |
1A |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
1B |
Medium Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
1D |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
1G |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
1K |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
1Y |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
2A |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
2B |
Dark Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
2D |
Dark Red Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
2G |
Dark Ivy Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
2K |
Light Aqua Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
2W |
White with Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
2Y |
Light Nugget Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
3A |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
3B |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
3D |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
3K |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
3W |
White with Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
3Y |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
4A |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
4B |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
4D |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
4G |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
4K |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
4W |
White with Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
4Y |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
5A |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
5B |
Light Blue Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
5D |
Dark Red Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
5G |
Dark Ivy Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
5K |
Light Aqua Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
5W |
White with Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
5Y |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
6A |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
6B |
Dark Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
6D |
Dark Red Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
6G |
Dark Ivy Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
6K |
Light Aqua Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
6W |
White with Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
6Y |
Light Nugget Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
7A |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
7B |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
7D |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
7G |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
7K |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
7W |
White with Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8A |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8B |
Dark Blue Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8D |
Dark Red Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8F |
Medium Saddle Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8G |
Dark Ivy Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8K |
Light Aqua Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8W |
White with Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
8Y |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
9A |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
9B |
Light Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
9D |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
9G |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
9K |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
9Y |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
BA |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
BB |
Light Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
BY |
Light Nugget Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
CA |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
CB |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
CD |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
CK |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
CY |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
DA |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
DB |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
DD |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
DG |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
DK |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
DW |
White with BlackCloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
DY |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
EA |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
EB |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
ED |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
EG |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
EK |
Ligth Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
EW |
White with Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
EY |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
FA |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
FB |
Dark Blue Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
FD |
Dark Red Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
FG |
Dark Ivy Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
FW |
White with Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
FY |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
GA |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
GB |
Light Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
GD |
Dark Red Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
GG |
Dark Ivy Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
GY |
Light Nugget Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
HA |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
HB |
Light Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
HD |
Dark Red Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
HG |
Dark Ivy Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
HK |
Light Aqua Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
HW |
White with Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
HY |
Light Nugget Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
JA |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
JG |
Light Ivy Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
JW |
White with Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
JY |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
KA |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
KB |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
KD |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
KG |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
KY |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
LA |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
LB |
Light Blue Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
LD |
Dark Red Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
LE |
Light and Medium Beige Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
LW |
White with Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
LY |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
MA |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
MB |
Light Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
BD |
Dark Red Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
MW |
White with Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
NA |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
NB |
Light Blue Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
NY |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
PA |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
PB |
Light Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
PY |
Light Nugget Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
QA |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
QB |
Light Blue Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
QW |
White Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
QY |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
RA |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
RB |
Light Blue Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
RD |
Dark Red Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
RW |
White with Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
RY |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
VA |
Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
VB |
Dark Blue Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
VG |
Dark Ivy Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
VW |
White with Black Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
VY |
Light Nugget Gold Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
WA |
Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
WW |
White with Black Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
WY |
Light Nugget Gold Knit and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
YA |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
YB |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
YD |
Dark Red Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
YG |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
YK |
Light Aqua Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
YY |
Light Nugget Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
ZA |
Black Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
ZB |
Dark Blue Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
ZG |
Dark Ivy Gold Cloth and Vinyl; code list without model assignment on the source page16 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase3 | 116 in | all except wagons (113.0 in) |
| Overall length3 | 201.1 in | all except wagons (203.9 in) |
| Overall height3 | 53.5 in | 2-door hardtop and fastback |
| Overall width3 | 74 in | 2-door, fastback, convertible |
| Front track3 | 58.83 in | all |
| Rear track3 | 58.93 in | all |
| Rear axle ratio, 428 with 4-speed3 | 3.25 ratio | standard; Super Cobra Jet 3.50 to 4.30 as compiled |
| Shipping weight, Torino GT fastback (63D)4 | 3,220 lb | 63D |
| Shipping weight, Cobra fastback (63H)4 | 3,537 lb | 63H |
| Shipping weight, Torino GT hardtop (65D)4 | 3,173 lb | 65D |
| Shipping weight, Cobra hardtop (65H)4 | 3,490 lb | 65H |
| Shipping weight, Torino GT convertible (76D)4 | 3,356 lb | 76D |
Identification
- Talladega data plate
- Body code 63B (2-door Fairlane 500 hardtop fastback body), engine Q, transmission U, trim 1A, axle code 9 expected (some cars lack the stamp), paint M, B or X; VIN plant letter A (Atlanta).9
- Talladega VIN serial range
- Production serials fall between 186566 and 207117, but not every car in that span is a Talladega.9
- Body codes (data plate BODY), 1969
- 54A = 4 door sedan, Fairlane; 54B = 4 door sedan, Fairlane 500; 54C = 4 door sedan, Torino; 63B = 2 door fastback, Fairlane 500 (bench); 63B = 2 door fastback, Cobra (bench); 63D = 2 door fastback, Torino GT (buckets); 63E = 2 door fastback, Fairlane 500 (buckets); 63E = 2 door fastback, Cobra (buckets); 65A = 2 door hardtop, Fairlane; 65A = 2 door hardtop, Cobra (bench); 65B = 2 door hardtop, Fairlane 500 (bench); 65C = 2 door hardtop, Torino; 65D = 2 door hardtop, Torino GT; 65E = 2 door hardtop, Fairlane 500 (buckets); 65E = 2 door hardtop, Cobra (buckets); 71B = 4 door station wagon, Fairlane; 71D = 4 door station wagon, Fairlane 500; 71E = 4 door station wagon, Torino Squire; 76B = 2 door convertible, Fairlane 500 (bench); 76D = 2 door convertible, Torino GT; 76E = 2 door convertible, Fairlane 500 (buckets)16
- Axle codes (data plate AXLE), 1969
- TRANS:=Transmission-type; 1=2,50; J=2,50 traction lok; 2=2,75; K=2,75 traction lok; 3=2,79; L=2,79 traction lok; 4=2,80; M=2,80 traction lok; 5=2,83; N=2,83 traction lok; 6=3,00; O=3,00 traction lok; B=3,07; T=3,07 traction lok; C=3,08; U=3,08 traction lok; 7=3,10; P=3,10 traction lok; 8=3,20; Q=3,20 traction lok; 9=3,25; R=3,25 traction lok; A=3,50; S=3,50 traction lok; D=3,91; V=3,91 traction lok; E=4,30; W=4,30 traction lok; TRANS:=; 1=3-Speed Manual; 5=4-Speed Manual Wide Ratio; 6=4-Speed Manual Close Ratio; W=C4 Automatic; U=C6 Automatic; Y=Automatic MX; X=Automatic FMX; Z=C6 Special Automatic16
Where the sources disagree
Talladega production total
Both shown; the registry figure leads because it is the specialist population count, but it is marked disputed and its colour split sums to 736.
Identification
Read a 1969 Ford VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1969
- AMC AMX The two-seat AMX's biggest year: 8,293 cars by the enthusiast production table, with a mid-year run of Big Bad colors and 52 Hurst-built Super Stock AMXs for NHRA drag racing.
- AMC Javelin Production fell to 40,675, but the 1969 Javelin added the Big Bad colors, with 2,282 cars painted blue, green or orange, plus the Mod package.
- AMC Rebel and Rebel Machine A base and SST Rebel with no convertible. The Big Bad colors were test-marketed through the New York–New Jersey 'Raider' hardtop. This is host-car context for the 1970 Machine.
- Buick Riviera Another record at 52,872 Rivieras; 5,272 had the GS handling option.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX GS production fell to 12,465, and the GS 400's Stage 1 package became a factory option while Stage 2 stayed a dealer item.
- Buick Wildcat 67,453 Wildcats; the last year of the 430.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS Super Sport became RPO Z25 option equipment, available for 1969 only on the 300 Deluxe coupes as well as Malibu sport coupe, convertible and El Camino.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS is RPO Z26 per the source, with L48, L34 and L78 engines. Enthusiast-compiled production: 251,849 cars; Super Sport 17,564.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS SS 396 became RPO Z25 option equipment, orderable on the V8 Malibu El Camino (13680); the El Camino share of the 86,307 Z25s is not separately published.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Only the SS427 (RPO Z24) remains; the reported count ranges from 2,425 to about 2,455.
- Dodge Charger The second-generation Charger's peak-sales year added the SE package and the aero-bodied Charger 500 and Charger Daytona homologation cars, whose production totals are still disputed.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The Super Bee added a hardtop body and the 440 Six Pack, while the 440-powered Coronet R/T continued as the upscale hardtop and convertible.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The low-priced Swinger 340 arrived and outsold the GTS by more than two to one (16,637 against about 6,700), while a 375 hp 440 joined the GTS options.
- Ford Fairlane The Fairlane hardtop was the intermediate line's volume leader, while the Fairlane 500 SportsRoof shared its body with the Torino GT, Cobra and Talladega.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT carried Torino GT trim; 1,658 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird Fifth-generation Thunderbird; only the whole-line production total was found.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone fastback came as Cyclone and Cyclone CJ, mid-year Spoilers carried Dan Gurney and Cale Yarborough graphics, and the extended-nose Cyclone Spoiler II was built at Lorain for NASCAR homologation.
- Mercury Cougar A longer, restyled Cougar added a convertible, the Boss 302 arrived in April, and the Eliminator replaced the GT as the performance Cougar.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The Marauder name returned on a full-size hardtop, and the X-100 carried the 360 hp 429 four-barrel as its only engine.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 kept its 400 while the second Hurst/Olds, in white and gold with a 380 hp 455, went into production at about 900 cars.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The last A-body Barracuda introduced the 'Cuda name as a stripped performance package with a standard 340, alongside Formula S and a midyear 440.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The GTX shared the Road Runner's new Air Grabber scoop and Super Track Pack but sold 15,602 cars, fewer than a fifth of the cheaper Road Runner.
- Plymouth Road Runner A convertible joined the coupe and hardtop, the 440 Six Barrel arrived at mid-year, and the Road Runner reached its production peak of 84,420.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The last first-generation Firebird, and the mid-year debut of the Trans Am package: 697 cars by the commonly published count, eight of them convertibles.
- Pontiac GTO Three four-barrel 400s under one nameplate, and the first year of the Judge package built around Ram Air power.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A new 118-inch Grand Prix with the SJ and a 390 hp 428 HO: production more than tripled to 112,486.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The last year of the OHC Sprint six and the 350 HO.
- Rambler American and SC/Rambler AMC and Hurst put the 315-hp 390 V8 and a close-ratio four-speed into the compact Rambler hardtop for NHRA F/Stock. 1,512 were built, and the split between the two paint schemes is disputed.