Designed and built to qualify Ford’s sleek, new, midsize Torino for NASCAR competition, the Talladega took the fight in 1969 and 1970 to Chrysler’s new “Aero Warriors.” Named after the new Talladega, Alabama, superspeedway, the slippery new Torino was built during the early weeks of January 1969, with just 750 produced in all. Special Talladega aero features included a lengthened nose section and flush grille, plus a modified and tucked-in front bumper and rolled and reshaped rocker panels. Other Talladega features included an engine oil cooler, power steering fluid cooler, staggered shocks, a nodular-iron 3.25:1 Ford 9-inch 31 rear axle with open differential and 31-spline axles, and a column- shifted, heavy-duty C6 automatic transmission including a cast iron tail shaft. Also unique to the Talladega was a competition black hood and rear panel. Interiors were trimmed one way—in black vinyl and cloth, with a front bench seat. True to plan, the aero-efficient Torino Talladega won 29 Grand National races during the 1969 and 1970 NASCAR seasons and captured the1969 NASCAR Manufacturer’s Championship with David Pearson driving. A Talladega piloted by Benny Parsons scored the 1969 ARCA Manufacturer’s Championship. According to its corresponding Marti Report, this factory Royal Maroon Talladega was scheduled for production on January 30, 1969, but actually built six days earlier. On February 7, 1969, it was released from the Atlanta, Georgia, assembly plant and allocated to Ford’s Phoenix Ordering District under Special Order No. 2500. The selling dealer was Pueblo ford Inc. of Tucson, Arizona, with the car sold to its first owner on May 21, 1969. Documented factory features and options in addition to the aero enhancements of the Talladega Package included the non-ram-air 428/335 HP 4V Cobra Jet engine, a C6 Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission, F70x14 Wide Oval belted white sidewall tires, power front disc brakes, power steering, an AM radio, color-keyed racing mirrors and argent, styled steel wheels. Rare and potent, this Talladega exemplifies the lengths Ford went to win during the company’s all-out Total Performance era.