Many of us have been brought to an office at a new car dealership to be pressured by the F&I (Finance & Insurance) manager to purchase an extended warranty or a dealer-installed option we don’t really want. Our Pick of the Day, a 1969 Ford Torino GT SportsRoof, reflects an F&I success story due to one unusual feature. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Homer City, Pennsylvania.
The Torino GT was in its second year in 1969, facelifted with changes in grille and trim, but it was largely the same car as before. Available body styles were the SportsRoof fastback, the more formal Hardtop, and the Convertible. All three came standard with a 302 two-barrel with 210 horsepower. That certainly doesn’t sound like GT power, but the GT was more sporty than sport.
If you wanted more power, you could opt for the new 351, which was available in two states of tune: 250 horsepower with a two-barrel or 290 horsepower with a four-barrel. The latter was the beginning of the more sports side of the model. If torque was your desire, then the 390 four-barrel with 320 lb-ft was your next choice, but if you went that far, why not consider the 335-horsepower 428 Cobra Jet? It was the only engine available with ram air induction, though Ford included a non-functional hood scoop with all Torino GTs aside from the rarefied few that were ordered without it. New for the CJ was the Drag Pack, a package that featured upgraded parts for durability at the drag strip. In addition to 3.91 or 4.30 gears, features included an oil cooler and an upgraded crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, wrist pins, flywheel, flexplate, and harmonic balancer. The Drag Pack was introduced several months into production because Ford discovered issues with engine durability, especially with excessive oil temperatures.
Several new features stand out for the Torino GT: If you opted for the SportsRoof, you received a C-stripe that was distinct from the one available in 1968, with this one following the mid-section of the body instead of the beltline; coupes and convertibles received the traditional GT stripe above the rocker panels. Plus, the C-pillar on the SportsRoof now featured three louvers instead of five.
Thanks to the Plymouth Road Runner, Ford introduced the Fairlane-based Cobra, which came standard with the Cobra Jet. Certainly, that was more sport than sporty. Interior and exterior trim were lacking compared to the Torino GT, so when equipped with the same powerplant, the GT came off as less austere and more deluxe. Visually and intrinsically, the Torino GT presented itself more nicely.
One option not available on the SportsRoof, whether it was a Cobra, Fairlane 500, or Torino GT, was a vinyl roof. However, you might notice that this 1969 Ford Torino GT SportsRoof has a light gold vinyl roof that nicely complements the Black Jade paint and gold stripes. It’s one of the third-party dealer-installed items that was available back in the day. These pop up on occasion, but we imagine many were removed upon restoration. It certainly gives this GT a unique look and we’d bet that it was prepped by the dealership for its inventory, rather than a customer who dealt with F&I. Inside, you’ll find a Medium Ivy Green bucket-seat interior with a console housing the automatic shifter. Power comes from a 428 Cobra Jet with ram air, one of 1,285 built with this engine (of which 703 had automatics). Other options per the Marti Report show power steering and brakes, a tachometer, an AM radio, tinted windows, and the Visibility Group.
The seller states current upgrades include a Holley 600-cfm carburetor, an aluminum intake, and a PerTronix Flame-Thrower coil, but it’s that vinyl top that truly makes this already-unique car even more special. Best of all, the seller won’t try to upsell you once you spend your $52,900.
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