Rarest Of The Rare! The Ford Torino King Cobra
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- čas přidán 20. 09. 2020
- This 1 of 3 known to exist factory prototype NASCAR Areo car was sitting disassembled and ready for the scrap pile when it was scooped up, put together and used as a daily driver! Here's the amazing story behind this amazing car.
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One of these days you guys will realize just how lucky we are to have someone like Tony and Cathey (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) show us these cars. I hope you guys don’t think these guys just let anyone into their personal space and do videos on these cars. Thank you so much for sharing
Very true in fact I was wondering how Tony worked his way in.
@@bsagreg If I recall he used to write for automotive magazines. Between that and being in the used parts buisiness for classic Mopars, he's likely made quite a few connections over the years.
@@venge1894 Yes Ive read and learned a lot from his articles when I was running my foxbody But I think you have to agree that they dont have anyone in there inner circle like Tony. I would be willing to bet that out of all the race teams, drivers and writers in the automotive industry very few have had the chance to get up close and personal with these guys. Either way Im glad Tony was there.
@@bsagreg ,,,,In the world of racing and development,,,,,,Top Secret is the way of winning.........the edge on the rest....................
A very talented engineer from Ford's glory days. At 82 he's actually more precious than that million dollar Torino.
This is the good stuff.
I didn’t realize Larry Shinoda was ever involved with Lincoln-Mercury. He was the Lead Designer for the C3 corvette before he left GM with Bunkie Knudsen.
Aa
Here here, I second that
Down the CZcams rabbit hole and found this gem. Thanks for capturing this history from the man who lived it.
Watched this with great interest as Steve Honnell was my auto shop teacher back in high school and i am VERY familiar with this. I was actually one of the students that went with him to Holman Moody on several occasions getting parts and spent a good amount of time in their hangers. I have actually drove this car back in the day. I say this because their is a lot more to this story than is being told and as the great Paul Harvey used to say on the radio you should hear the "rest of the story". Glad to see Steve is still enjoying good health and really brings back some memories!
Cool story bro.
You were in class w my brother Dennis may. He worked for Steve forever and a day. They still keep in contact now. You’d be surprised at what Steve’s collection consists of now
Might just be one of the coolest 82 year old's ever. The stuff he has done and seen is crazy. I love that he also drives these cars and used them for what they were meant to be. Don't see cars that are this rare and also driven ever. so much respect for him.
Tony talks a lot in all the other videos, which is good because he’s got good things to say and knowledge to share.
Notice how in this video he’s nearly silent out of respect for this man and his history.
Amen, Tony. Well done.
The hardest yet most effetive interview topic ever is to shut the #%^$ up and let the other person talk! Well done tony.
Yeah he's stood there with a half smile of child like wonder on his face most of the time. It must've been a good day.
Hi, Unk Tony.....
Nice video of the long, lost wedge King Cobra.
There's a BOSS 9 burnt orang powered King in South Carolina.
Love the Ranchero.
The el camino killer
Nice BIG ford rumble beside the squeeky belt.
Thanks, UNK T.
Big how do to UNK C.
GOD BLESS
BRIAN.
Respect is golden...
I noticed that, too!!!! He's a wise man who knows what he knows and understands how much he doesn't! Dunning Kruger nailed it! This man could easily run his mouth and hog the camera time with solid facts and that rodder swagger, but he's no fool. Hell yeah! I'm here for it!!!!!
Being young, i think its mesmerizing to hear old guys like this tell their stories.
Being older it's still mesmerizing lol
Agreed, this is so cool
Hey if you guys have a local small airport , I'd recommend going and hanging out there.
My dad's retired and got a hangar about 20yrs back , and we have a blast wrenching on stuff and talking with alot of older gents like this all the time.
'Ol Bob came back from ww2, and was bored so he went midget racing. He's got good stories.
Some of his buddies were into hopping up flatties.
Who knows , you could even get a free ride if you want to.
These guys like to fly, but not alone.
It's like riding a dirt bike all all alone , it's not that much fun.
I was so lucky just to hear and talk to Bud Moore and Cotton Owens about the old days. I love when you can talk to the actual people. God rest their souls.
I'm not that young anymore, 44, but I do love the stories. When I was younger and going out to bars and stuff, I'd always sit with the old guys and listen. You could usually tell if it was an exaggeration but it didn't really matter
WE NEED TO PROTECT THIS MAN! National Treasure!
Uncle Tony & others need to collect his life experiance before its his time to go home...
My dad gave me his 1970 torino cobra when I got back from Afghanistan in 2003. I have been obsessed with the car since my earliest memories. These cars are the greatest muscle cars ever built period. They handle better than every other muscle car of that era, and it is amazing how quick it takes off because these cars are enormous! I have driven damn near every American sports car and the torino is a one of a kind driving experience. There is nothing like it.
My first car was a 71 Ranchero with the 351 Cleveland and a 4-speed.ive had many torino and even a 70 1/2 falcon.great cars.
You are correct Tony. Steve is a piece of living Ford racing history.
These docs of the guys in those early years are nearly more important then the cars themselves!
Ultra cool!
I wish my dad had more stories to share from his time with ford parts back then!
I can barely remember how to count and he can remember SO MUCH
Hi Tony
In 1973 when I was twenty I bought a car from a guy that I worked for. He bought it brand new in 1970 and use to cruise up and down the main street with it. I always thought that was the nicest looking car around. It was a 1970 Ranchero GT with a 429 Cobra Jet, 4 speed with a Hurst shifter, shaker scoop and hideaway headlights. Makes me wish I still had that car today. The 429 Super Cobra Jet came with a Holley and the Cobra Jet came with a Rochester Quadrajet.
He is a living Icon , man i would love to sit and chat with him i mean really , what an incredible trip that would be...Tony Rules, where else can we get this Gold?..Peace...
@@thewrench324 zA
That’s a bad ass mobile with a fantastic story. Steve is nearly 82 years of age and still hot rodding like a boss-I love it!
Age is just a number.
My 77yo father recently got a crotch rocket so we can go riding.
And I don't have a prayer of keeping up, he's a retired flat track racer from the 60s.
Ever see a guy drag his knee in a corner on a bike on the street?
Yea my dad does that 😆
@@MrTheHillfolk Awesome!
@@rodciferri9626
Funny how when we were teens , we knew it all and couldn't wait to get outta the house.
Give that 25yrs and pops is one of my best friends.
A health scare will do that to ya.
he's fine but it made me wake up and realize some stuff, to say the least.
@@MrTheHillfolk , I wonder if the teenagers thought that he was awesome when he had his muscle car out on the street or out on the track?
@@paxhumana2015 Ever heard of "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena"? There are TONS of us "oldster" men like that too! I expect to be cruisin' in some sort of a hot rod until well past 90.... Hot Rods and Rock & Roll forever!
That was fantastic. I sure hope that someone takes the time to record everything he said about his past and about the cars and parts in his collection. At 82 years old it is regrettable that he might not be around for much longer and the knowledge he has is simply priceless and must be saved at all cost. Also I so hope that the cars and parts and all the signs and various items is not just sold off to some auction house for the benefit of making a big profit. Wow, what a treasure trove and it needs to be kept together with a story produced around it too.
It's sad that alot of these stories are going to be lost after this generation leaves us. Thank you for doing this! All of you!
82 years old and he’s still incredibly sharp. Thank you for sharing your cars and yourself. You are a piece of automotive history.
Still doing stuff is probably helping him stay sharp.
half the people you meet at 82 and think they have got old and lost it were that dumb at 22.
CZcams GOLD! Unbelievable. I could listen to him talk for hours. UTG, If you ever stare up at the ceiling and wonder why you left New York, this video is probably it lol.
the memories this gentleman has is priceless. cant be replaced. he knows every detail about this very rare automobile.
I remember being a 16 year-old budding car fanatic when the King Cobra made the cover of Motor Trend magazine. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen, especially since my dad had bought a '69 Torino just a year earlier. Hearing this gentleman explain his car's history is a real treat. Thank you!
These guys know their shit. Hopefully someone comes along to carry the torch. Stuff we take for granted today can be appreciated years down the road. These cars are a perfect example
My father got me hooked on cars so I won’t have money for drugs or women.
Sound judgment old man; well played
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, but if you have a cool car you'll get women anyway. (This is true, even if PC people get affected.)
@@eldesgraciado6690 Burning rubber can snap knicker elastic.
@@gck82s I'll pass that wisdom to my young.
@@eldesgraciado6690 Hey, hey, that's true!!😎
I truely love Fords from around that era. One of my best memories is a guy I knew who had a 68 Fairlane notch back with the 428. He pulled wrenches for a living at a Ford dealership.
One day we went onto the on ramp to get on the freeway. I think at the time he had 208 gears in his locker.
Some Asian fellow with an RX7, which I'm guessing he thought was a fast car didn't want us getting ahead of him merging onto the freeway so he starts to speed up. We were doing about 50pmh when my bud put the hammer down. The rear wheels smoked and slipped just a wee bit. The Fairlane started to fishtail but not too bad as we pulled ahead to merge in front of the Mazda. I swear mister I think I have a fast car almost hit the floorboards with his gaping jaw.
OMG it was a glorious moment to be remembered.
My friend always left the Cobrajet and other badges off. Amazing how many people had no idea what it was.
8
Kudos my brother!! This, is the stuff we’ve gotta document and preserve! The day is coming when we won’t be able to speak with the guys that really were there. The knowledge and experience of these people just cannot be replaced. And the fact that many of them are humble enough to share their lives with us is a testament to the men they are.
And it was his “daily driver “?
God loves the true gearhead!!
Even as a fellow Mopar guy, thank you for documenting this man and some of his collection, I enjoyed hearing his stories like no other and look forward to the next installment
Listening to this man was absolutely wonderful. Very endearing. And he still drives it yet at 80.
That man is like a walking history archive. Incredible rare Holman Moody stuff. Thanks for visiting him and putting this out.
Man oh man! Those are special cars. What a treat. The stories about the early NASCAR racing in the seventies truely amazing. I haven't heard some of those names in years. I remember in the early seventies the NASCAR races on our black and white television where exciting to watch. Bobby Alison and the other great racers of that time. Those where the days when car companies battling it out for best design, speed on the track and in the pit stops. A lot pride and blood sweat and tears went into wining first place. Here's a gentleman who was around all greats in racing. Made my day this is really special thank you for sharing.
.......The Era of American greatness,,,when all made was inside the states.............The Era of the big three OEM.............screw imports and the new cell phone generation....I'm 72,,,I've lived to long to see my passions eclipsed by new change.....Alien beings,,,all of em,,,,,F this W ......
When a car guy says "i know somebody who knows somebody" if you follow that down the line eventually you stop at this guy
Much like six degrees to Kevin Bacon, there are six degrees to this guy for anything or anyone automotive.
2:13 car guy center screen, his belt buckle is on the side. Won’t scratch the paint 😉👍🏻
@Tim Cantrell Well he would be the Unicorn of gay car dudes😂
Some guys who appendix carry their pistol (12:00) will move the buckle off to the side.
Also guitar players... buckles are HELL on the backside of guitars.
"you're gonna have to run what they sell to the public". Back when NASCAR was real.
Yea. A real pain in the ass. NASCAR is the reason Ford pulled out of racing not too long after the Aero Warriors, because of all the rules, burdening rules. This minimum 500 cars built for the general public was a disaster. Ford lost money on very single Talladega built. Infact, Dealers had trouble moving Talladegas off their lots because of NASCAR rules. 69 Talladegas were sitting on dealer lots, some till 1971.
@@styldsteel1 Same with the MOPAR wing cars. Nobody wanted them.
@@TheFirstStater not surprising. Imagine " Joe and Mary Walsh" going to a dodge dealership in 1969 and seeing this thing next to ????. Call me crazy. I'd oooh and ahhh too. But I'd also walk on by.
@@TheFirstStater THEY SURE WANT THEM NOW!!!
Some of the American "road class" cars at Le Mans put on a real show, along with the Germans, naturally. Vipers and Corvettes flat out for 24hrs. is an achievement. I think this race should revert to it's roots. (UK)
Never have been a Ford guy. I'm a Dodge man but one word sums this car up. "DAMN". One fine, double rare ,ford rocket.An absolute treasure.
Seeing this males me recall when I went to an older gentlemans place here in Oz Western Australia to buy an item on what you might compare to Craigslist and he had 60,s mopars parked in his garage, then after talking a bit he took me out to his back shed and was another car under a cover, when he pulled it back it was the 300 that smokey yunick raced for Chrysler, he had worked for Chrysler and ended up in Australia working for Chrysler Australia before it folded into Mitsubishi, blew my mind
WOW! What a buzz! do you know if the Gentleman you visited is still alive and/or what happened to the 300 that Smokey raced, is it still in Oz? what happened to it?
@@Leosarebetter yes he is still around and it is still in his shed, very very interesting life he had, he knew smokey personally and also worked for Buick and Leyland as he was originally from the UK when he started in the car industry
@@Hitman-ds1ei Thanks for the reply Trevor, appreciate it :) he worked for Leyland as well? wonder if he had anything to do with the P76? (a brilliant car well ahead of its time)
@@Leosarebetter yes he was on loan from Buick for the v8 as chief engineer then ended up back with Chrysler Australia
Australia has awesone classic and monster quarter-mile cars and incredible mechanics.
Man, Steve's Southern charm really shows. Look how he engages you when you speak to him.... he makes eye contact and doesn't break it. When he didn't hear what you said, he asked "Sir?" if you could repeat yourself. Too cool. He must have a million stories to tell with all the historical figures he rubbed elbows with. What a cool character. Neat cars, too.
I'm so glad that this man had the wearwithal to rescue and save this beautiful King Cobra from being sent to the scrapyard!
So cool. Uncle Tony was glowing like a kid in a candy store. 4 speeds and big blocks make me smile too!!! Even if it's a ferd. A true treasure in both of you.
This man is believable when he says “I drive my cars”.
He is also the personification of the phrase “it’s not who you are, it’s who you know”.
I could take a tour and listen to this man's stories all day! Love it...
I was 21 y/o in 1970, I've never seen a ""Torino King Cobra", hell I didn't even know they existed.
nobody did there was only 3.I went to high school with a girl that had a regular Torino
I think he said they only made 8-9 before France said nono
@@edwardgensheimer6640 They did make the cover of Motor Trend in 1970, shortly after the program had ended. There were supposed to be 7 of them, 5 Ford and 2 Mercury.
Now someone will have to correct me but Steve has the other Mercury as mentioned and it was possibly the ONLY Mercury version completed. The other Merc was scrapped as it was the #2 car, and only half finished when the program shut down.
The Ford's on the other hand, counting Steve's, 3 others are known to exist. REAL ones. There are a few clones out there that people have made by taking casts of existing cars and making their own hoods and fenders out of fibreglass.
@@That_AMC_Guy These cars are some real treasures, I was only four in 1970 but my dad worked at a junk yard and raced at the local track back then so I have always had a love for racing and the cars of back then, love hearing the old car stories of back in the day how they worked it, the old NASCAR stories are so interesting could hear those for hours
Obviously the car’s sick but hearing this guy is such a treat. What a treasure he is. Good on you UTG for getting these stories out there. I love this fn channel. 👍🏻
When he said daily driver i almost hit the floor lol. Nothing but sweet ride.
My jaw hit the floor as well. But what I keep forgetting is that back then it was"just a used car". I know I know, it almost sounds cringy but at the time, that's what they were, essentially. They're certainly a bit more than "just a used car" now!!
A sweet ride doesn’t even grasp the severity of this vehicle. This is one of the most rarest cars on the entire planet. And I’m a Chevy man
This ford is serious business!
@@77yogurt He still cruises in it regularly. So at least we know there is no carbon buildup going on inside... Hope he keeps blowing the soot out of them for a long time to come...
@@77yogurt
Haha I can't see anyone creaming their jeans in 2050 when they discover a barn find 2011 Ford Taurus.
@@MrTheHillfolk LMFAO I would have to agree!!
Very cool! Nick Panaritis up in Canada is in the process of restoring a Charger 500 from California.
When he starts talking about the engine, the quote from Quigley Down Under popped into my head. An experimental gun shooting experimental ammunition.
Wow, that man has all his marbles and then some, God bless him! I am officially subscribed! I own a 1971 Torino GT convertible, a 1971 Torino was my first car, absolutely loved this video! Thank You!
I bought a '71 Torino GT in 1985 at 17 years old for $450. It originally came with a 351C 4v, but that engine had been removed for some reason, and replaced with a 302 and a C4. It was bright red, probably not the original paint. I naively bought it off a used car lot, and learned that it had some sketchy front end issues, and the ring gear on it's flywheel was kinda chewed up with some missing teeth.
So it wasn't long til it chewed up the gears on its starter. At that age I had very little auto mechanic skills, and we lived in an apartment complex, so I didn't have access to a garage. There's no way I would've been able to drop the transmission, pull the converter and replace the flywheel anyway, so I drove it as long as I could, then got a different car.
Who the heck disliked this ? This is pure gold in muscle car history.
WELL SAID
Bet he could do a book on racing stores / racing History and it would be reading Skunk Works by Tom Clancy only with stores like saving a two speed rear-end from the dumpster or Exp pistons from those teams. he seems like he should be on NPR each week telling racing stores
AS so many have said thanks for having on the show and thank him for letting us in to his life and seeing those classic cars still running and unlike the cars of to day with fancy electronics to me they don't come close to those peace's of art and raw power
Jay leno , lol. Jk
who the hell still comments on "who disliked this video!" there must be millions of these pointless comments on your tube now and now here I am wasting my time too!
@@krusher74 who disliked this video
It’s just another example of the type of stuff Ford would show up at races with trying to pass off built just for racing as production products. Unless you’re a Ford nut and even then most still could not tell you what it is by looking at it straight on or quartering from the from though the Torino stripes might give it away. One of six bodies that even then it’s still two different body styles cobbled together. The engine is a 429 block with 460 crank, 1 of 3 intake manifolds made, way bigger than stock tri-power carbs, the heads were made by Holman and Moody that has those huge intake ports closed down to finally get air flow out of them. Mercury’s version didn’t even make the required 500 cars they just offered the slope nose as a factory add on that you had to install. But it goes hand in hand with Ford trying to call the SOHC 427 a “stock” engine when not even one was EVER installed in a car on the factory line. They would sell crate motors to some of the dealerships that were really into racing and they would install the engine and then try to pass them off as factory items. Then the ford fans whine and come up with their conspiracy theories of how NASCAR, NHRA and IHRA banned these creations when they show up at the track to race in one of the stock, super/stock or pro/stock classes. They were never produced by the factory so how can expect them to get to race in stock classes? FYI that yellow car is butt ugly with that nose, it looks like something you could order from J.C. Whitney in the early 70’s as a styled aero front end with a little drawing showing the lines from the wind flowing smoothly over the car as opposed to the swirling circles from a stock nose.
Ironically one of your best shows and it was not even Mopar oriented.!
Bill France: "We're not going to build just race cars." Hilarious.......bring back the door slammers!
WoW! I'm 70 and have CRS disease (Can't Remember Shit) from 30 min. ago but I think I have heard every name Steve has talked about since I have been a Nascar and Ford fan since I was a kid. Some real nice rare stuff there.
I had a 1970 Cougar Eliminator Boss 302 for a few years and was to dumb to know what I had and sold it in around 1975. Every cop in my city pointed their finger at me when they saw me. I spent a lot of money and time on the engine and it worked well. Can't wait to see more.
Thanks for this video. I can watch him talk cars all day. Capturing these old stories before you can't anymore is vital.
Never seen Uncle Tony
Grin so much!
That was a fantastic video. That man looks and moves great for 82 years of age. He has some memory and is sharp as heck. I definitely will be waiting for more videos with these folks. Thanks for posting, this really was great. 👍🏼
My grandfather had a poster of the "beep beep your ass" out in his "building"....brought back memories, thanks Tony.
What a cool old dude , 90 weight in his veins. 82 years old ! I just turned 60 and was starting to feel old , not anymore. I gotta a lot of time to turn wrenches still. Thanks Tony , awesome episode.
I turned 60 on Sept 6th. I love Ford's. I could listen to old guys talk cars forever. Really miss the old timers. Wish they would talk to Cale and his brother about the "King Cobra" and its time on the track. What a story! Shawn.
"You don't get old and stop doing things, you stop doing things and get old." - George Burns
What a diamond of a person giving some insight of how things were done back then , I could sit all day listening to him giving a history lesson on what they did. Great Vid uncle Kathy uncle Tony.. Tony looked like a little kid gleaming from ear to ear ,like when your not expecting a big present next bam ! to the Ranchero
My dad's retired and built a hangar on some land the local airport was selling off for that purpose.
It's been an awesome 15yrs since then , we've got a bunch of older gents around
(rare to see someone under 50)
who have many tales of past shenanigans.
like 'ol Bob coming back from ww2 bored as hell , so he went to go race midgets!
He's lucky to be here to tell the tale , all of his friends who did it perished.
I've never seen a King Cobra Torino In person.But what a treat! That ultra rare try power intake manifold blows my mind! I've got one of those bad ass 429 SCJ's with the Holman-Moody dual plane single 4V aluminum intake stashed under my bench..Saving it for a possible future Cobra Torino project .
Loved this video...was lucky enough to get a job pumping gas at a speed shop that had sunococo pumps in the mid 70s so we had cam 2... those were GOLDEN years for hot rods.. the engineering, the design... being on the other side of the gas crunch, those late 60s and 70s cars were everywhere and they were cheap...had some doozy's...thanks for the memories
Thanks for introducing all of us to Steve, a true gentleman and a living encyclopedia of all the muscle era Ford developments, a 26 minute video just scratched the surface of the story he has to share with all of us lucky enough to get this video.
Tony looked like a 6 year old kid in a candy store and he met the owner.😁
Yeah he can't wipe the smile off his face the whole video. That ranchero was sweet. I used to have a 66 ranchero and the kid I sold it to, wrecked it 2 weeks later. Still kicking myself for selling it.
Randy WL more like Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! All the stuff about Holman and Moody was pretty cool, too...
One of the best videos I watched about the history of Ford muscle was an episode of Victory by Design hosted by Alain de Cadenet. They started with the Lincolns taken down to the Carrera Panamericana, all the way through to the Ford GT of the mid=2000s. It also covered the history of the AC Cobra and its development by Carroll Shelby & company all the way to the Daytona Coupe and his work on the GT40 in the mid-late 60s. They didn’t cover EVERY FoMoCo special race/muscle variant, but DID cover some of the lesser-known. Check it out and enjoy!
This is a great documentary of a very rare car. I wish Smoky Yunick had went thru his garage and given the info on some of the rarities he had tucked away. He had some Ford stuff along with the Chevrolet and Hudson parts. Finding people like this who were in the right place at the time who knew what was up and then had not only the presence of mind but the financial ability to latch on to this stuff plus resist the temptation to capitalize on it or sell it when a major life calamity came around. My hat us off to all of you.
I still can't believe how many prototypes that have been made an old timer still has, it's always amazing to see and hear about racing history. Thanks for sharing this beast!
These old boys are living legends, the knowledge they have,is priceless.. great vid.Uncle.
Belt buckle on the hip, dude knows what's up, I'm sure.
It's a mechanics thing. My grandfather wore his that way & so did I when I wore a belt.
Learned something today
Guitar players too,, so it won’t scratch
Can someone tell the exhaust engineers/designers that THIS is what a muscle car V8 exhaust is supposed to sound like?
Steve is still one of those that you can’t think of losing. He be bops around like he did when I met him 40+ years ago. I wish he would do a video of all his vehicles. His collection is wild. Cyclone, thunderbolt and this cobra are only the beginning. Hearing any of those 3 running definitely gets your attention too!
Reminded me of a large Opel GT from the front view.
THAT is the most enjoyable video I've seen in years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Can you imagine that these were 50 year young treasure? This is why cars touch our hearts anyone that has never experienced this thrill is truly missing out. GOOD MORE FOR US SMART ONES. LOL.
What a treat that was listening to the pioneers of the day talking about these amazing cars I wish we could keep these times forever so as we learn more from there experiences....brilliant show Uncle Tony 👍
I remember seeing a Talladega parked outside the house in 1970 and it was something. This car is beyond another level, it's several floors up. A two speed rear end, Holy trick Batman!
The 70 torino has always been my favorite car . My mom had one . My brother had one . I had 2 and am lucky enough to now have a third . I've known about the king cobra for some 15 years now after seeing one at auction go for $300,000 . Truly rare as I had heard that there were only 2 left . Ironically I was looking at a picture of a red one online just last night ! Go figure ! 🤪 Thank you Tony for sharing this ! Too cool !
My gma had a 70 Fairlane.
every time I see the back end of one it reminds me of her.
Haha that sounds real respectful, but the mind is a screwed up place 😆😆
@@MrTheHillfolk Yes, my grandmother had a new '68 satellite four door. I was nine years old when she got it. The association is burned in my memory forever!!
@@ThomasJones-sz3sx
Ahahaha I remember a time when I was a wee lad ,maybe 5-6-7 and you knew the sound of a Chrysler starter as mom's dragging you across the parking lot of the strip mall for back to school clothes 😆
Haha when the places were busy you'd hear one at least every minute 😂
Alas, as the 80s wore on into the 90s , those sounds faded more and more😕
Still good times , takes ya back when ya hear one.
Beyond amazing .Best video and story I've seen in a long long time. I couldn't stop shaking my head.
Just lost my buddy Frank gray...... you taught me alot about cars.... will miss you dearly friend...... Palmdale and the saltflats will never be the same
I have never seen one, That is some piece of history. I have room for it at my house. Right beside my classic 88 iroc z28 with less than 8,000 org miles. My wife is related to the woods bothers. I could listen to Steve talk all day. He is a wealth of knowledge. Please adopted me lol. Look at the engine in that GT Have Mercy. Someone is going to be very fortunate when he passes They should keep everything just the way he keeps it. Thanks for sharing and for the history lesson .Steve,
You captured gold here Tony. Cherish it!
Always being a GM guy...I still appreciate these old cars...and the stories that come along with them...priceless
Steve was my auto shop teacher at Jordan high school in Columbus, Ga. back in 1970. we put the King Cobra nose on the Ranchero.
Every time I watch it over again I learn something new. Steve said he is turning 82 and forgetful. I wouldn’t want to play Poker against him. He is a ringer and sandbagged. Very humble, you are in the Hall of Fame, “yes I am” end of sentence. His life is historic while he was having fun.
I love that Steve immediately began watching the gauges when the Ranchero fired up.
Ranchero ? ,you mean Torino!
Correction!, you meant Ranchero.
"Two-speed rear end," need one of those!
Makes me wonder if it was at all similar to the Jaguar quick change type popular with the hot rod crowd.
@@gaelicwarrior5064 Seems this option workes more like an O/D. Manouverable while drivin'... Or?
@@SuperLuckyCat7 The old Jag rears that I've seen utilized in hot rod/nostalgia drag events had two rear facing, straight cut gears that were visible with the differential cover removed. To change the final drive ratio, one had only to drain the gear lube, remove the cover, and swap the two gears. This allowed for a street friendly gear ratio that you could drive to the track, make the switch for better race gearing, and then return to the street setting for the drive home.
Tony looking like a kid in a candy store! He's smiling just like I am! Gorgeous one of a kind rides! Amazing!
Very interesting. I've been working as a designer at Ford Design (styling) since 1986. I'd never see this or even heard about it. Thanks for sharing.
That man should right a book. I'm intrigued
Please tell us more about the 2 speed rear! Never heard of that in a Ford.
The two-speed "streep" (short for "street & strip") rear axle was built by Dana-Spicer (and wasn't based on the Ford 9" as might have been expected.) A prototype Cougar Eliminator equipped with one was tested by several magazines in early 1969, and got rave reviews. All indications were that it was going to be a production Eliminator option (as was the Boss 429 engine.) But for reasons that still aren't entirely clear, both were withdrawn at the last minute and existing customer orders were cancelled. One possible explanation is that L-M was afraid of excessive warranty claims from customers attempting to shift axle speeds "on the fly." (It was designed to be shifted when the car was stationary.) Another intriguing rumor is that Iacocca didn't want to see his pet Mustang upstaged by a Mercury Cougar. Whatever the reason, the Cougar two-speed axle project is an interesting historical footnote, and up until watching this video I didn't know ANY of them had survived.
MaoTseHelen thank you!
2 speed rears have been around a long time. back in the 40's cadillac had one vacuum operated
I was in navy in the 80s shipmate had a pinto wagon with the 2 speed rear end . Was built for racing
I heard about it years ago. But it was so obscure ,and only 1 guy new about it at the time
Steve Honnell is a cool guy!! He used to have this King Cobra sitting outside of Lewisburg Auto Body on Hwy 231. Haven’t seen him in several years, need to get there and see him.
Also, he has a Calypso Coral Mercury version of the King Cobra now, with a Boss 429 in it. It’s 1 if 2. He found it in Illinois
Thanks for posting, I am a FORD fan my whole life. Seeing rare racing Fords is awesome.
Me too.
Did'nt even know about the King Cobra, even though my buddy has a 1970 Torino.
But having been born in 77, i think i must be excused.
Why is my generation always late for the coolest stuff????
Thanks for sharing.
👍👍👍
Man that is a gorgeous piece of steel
Man, those have to be more rare than chicken lips! Damn nice-looking rig......built for speed. It's a crying shame these did not get to compete.
Tony!! The smile on your face says the truth about
how much you are enjoying the time spent with this man and his cars.
Thanks for showing us all of this.
God bless CZcams. Before the 'Tube this history was not accessible and would have been lost to the hands of time.
I don't know if the car or its owner is cooler...either way this is awesome.
Uncle Tony looks like a kid in a candy store.
C-C-C-C YEAYUH!!
Great video UTG! Believe it or not but I did meet Steve at one of the Daytona 500 (maybe the Darling 500) races in the early 80's & then again at another event. I have also seen this car in person. WOW, I really didn't know how rare this car was. I was only 12 or 13 at the time & was just starting to learn about the factory hot rods. This really brings back memories because I was with my grandfather at the Daytona races when we meet Steve, which were the last pleasant memories I have with my grandfather. Thanks for sharing!
Spoke to ya later, Ka moan.😎
Any time you have the opportunity to actually speak to someone who has actually been there that's a special moment! I was fortunate enough to be able to hang out and talk with Ronnie Sox on a few occasions..amazing just absolutely amazing!
Built just for NASCAR racing..! Fantastic aero for 1969... 429, Tri Power Holleys with a 3:25 rear gear it would go 225MPH+, Larry Shinoda was a brilliant GM Corvette designer/engineer..! Steve was smart to grab the car and all the experimental parts..!!! Great Ford History..!
Muscle cars are an addiction,
An I have a habbit.
I am a Chevy Man--But this history is Priceless
Thank you so much for uploading this video, first time I have seen or heard of the 1970 Ford, Torino, King Cobra, what a ride.
I remember reading about this car about 15 years ago as a young teenager. Cool to see it posted! Very cool piece of history!!
Amazing. Tony, thanks so much for sharing this, and thank Steve for his time and for showing us his great rare car. I'm blown away that not only is one of these complete, but also drivable with the period correct engine. I can't thank you enough for this!
I was born in the wrong era. I missed all the good cars. I didn't start driving till 96. I guess that's why I drive a 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan. It's one of the best cars of that year
The old gentleman is a wealth of stories I hope that the King Cobra is taken care of or put in a museum on his passing.
Man I find this fascinating. I’ve never been a “car guy” but this really is interesting. Great interview.
Boys we got another one...
One of us, one of us, one of us
Wow, a true million dollar one of a kind Torino., Such a beautiful front end on it, years ahead of it's time.
BFKAnthony817, it's a clone/replica, not a real King Cobra. Go to the Ford Museum and you'll see a real one and the history of the other two. This car is NOT one of them.
Tony is loving this so much he forgot to have a smoke !!!
Fabulous ford. My dad was a ford fanatic. So am I. This man is one lucky guy to have the experience he has had in life. I love old timers stories about cars and stories from older folk. Even as a kid I admired old folks story telling. Now I'm 52 I respect my elders even more than before. Life is too short we must share our experiences with each other. Thank you sir. She's sweet.
This was a great interview. Steve talked about some of my childhood heros, the Wood Brothers, Holman and Moody... how the factory teams reinterpreted the rules of NASCAR... document as much of this as You and Kathy can as treasured people like this are becoming fewer... Thanks for sharing, Best Wishes.