Photos At Holman Moody

[Steve Holmes]

During the NASCAR 'aero-wars' of the late 1960s, both Ford and Chrysler set about building special models featuring bodywork designed to cut through the air on the super speedways. Ford were first to realize the importance of wind cheating bodywork at nearly 200mph, with the 1968 Ford Torino and Mercury Cyclone. But the most famous and successful of these were the Chrysler aero cars, the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird with their extended beaks and tall rear wings.

To be allowed to race these cars meant building a limited number of road cars, which Chrysler duly did. For the 1970 season, Ford were due to unveil its slippery Torino King Cobra, based on the new 1970 second generation Torino. Only three cars were produced before Ford pulled the pin.

This this photo from HM you can see the nose piece for one of the Torino King Cobras dumped outside next to the back half of a Mustang body. I assume this was made for one of the planned race cars, as the wheel opening differs from the production cars.