thoughts on Torino talladega

We have a '68 Sportroof that I have seriously considered doing a Talladega swap on. However, it is C's project car and she does not like the idea. One of our members is/was in the process of making a faux T mod on his 1968 or '69 here. Not sure if it got completed, but his fabrication skills were magnificent.

As far as the brake upgrades go, anything front suspension that fits a 65-up galaxie will fit a 72-76 torino. There is/was a  ton of stuff made for this chassis back in the day, as it was the basis of most of the NASCAR chassis until the "Car of tomorrow".

Wilwood will tell you that it doesn't because 73-76 Galaxie/LTD/Thunderbird has the "Large Ford" 5x5 bolt pattern for the wheels. What junkyards call the "knee assembly" (UCA, LCA, spindle, spring) will swap between 65-78 fullsize, 72-79 midsize, t-bird 67-79, etc. Some tie rods MAY be different, some ball joints MAY be different, but the entire assembly will swap. Spindles will swap thru those years, there are at least 5 front brake variants (drum brakes, Kelsey-Hayes discs, early fullsize discs, and big car 12', midsize 11" disc)

If you can find a real Talladega (or two), get them.

Would the front finders and hood be hard to find?

IF those are real Talladegas, the front ends will be both rare and expensive. There were only about 750 produced at the beginning of 1969 (jan and feb). There is a Talladega registry with all the VINs for the talladegas. Before you spend any serious money on a Talladega, make sure it is a Talladega, Frequently, people refer to all the sportsroof fastback Torinos as Talladegas but that is incorrect. The front end is unique to the 750 or so Talladegas, and the body has reshaped rockers with the pinchwelds folded over.The pictures don't show enough to tell if they are really Talladegas, although you can see 1968 taillights on the second car.

Edited by Big Bird - 12-May-2015 at 3:52PM

I messaged Robert Day on FB to chime in here.

John: yes I was thinking the same that's why I'm taking the full day to see what all he has.

I do hope that at least one is a "real Talladega". He said they was but he might be wrong I will find out. Got to love small town junk yards. I'm hoping I can find a lot and work deals out on it all hahaha.

do your homework and find out as much info as you can so you don't get ripped off!

First one is a Fairlane 500 Sportroof. The true Talladega front parts are really, really rare and expensive. There is more involved in converting one than just fenders, hood, front header, and a grill.

Did you notice the Aspen/Volarie T-top car in the background? Looks like he has a ton of rare older stuff. What a gold mine.

Edited by unlovedford - 13-May-2015 at 2:14AM

If the first is a fairlane 500 would that not make the second one a fairlane as well? The body lines and all are exactly the same.

LOOKS LIKE A CONVERTIBLE MUSTANG IN THE SECOND PICTURE. 

Hahaha drop a 350 in the fiero and bam you got a bad azz drag car.

Need to see the VIN#s
The Cyclone Montego Torino registry has a list of all T's that were built
Try their email