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The Torino Talladega is the first that comes to mind. Built in 1969 to homologate an aero-improved Fairlane Sportsroof model for NASCAR competition, the Talladega saw daylight in 756 units and got the mighty 428-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet V8 under the hood.
The race-spec version hit oval tracks with the 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8, which Ford had homologated in the 1969 Mustang Boss 429. The Talladega won 29 Grand National races and the 1969 NASCAR championship.
The Torino also shared the Twister Special badge with the Mustang. Both were built in late 1969 for the 1970 model year and sold exclusively through Ford's Kansas City District Sales Office.
The company produced only 96 Mustangs, all equipped with the Mach 1 package and finished in Grabber Orange.
Engine options for this muscle car included the 428-cubic-inch Cobra Jet and the 351-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) Cleveland V8s. The Twister Special also included unique decals on the rear fenders.
The Torino Twister Special was conceived with a similar recipe. It received Twister decals on the rear fenders, and all cars were finished in the same color:
Vermillion. However, unlike the Mustang, the Torino Twister Special was restricted to one engine: the 429-cubic-inch Cobra Jet (which would become available in the Mustang in 1971). Sold in 90 examples, the Torino is a tad rarer than its Mustang sibling.
If you've been looking for one of these gems, a Twister Special will cross the auction block at Mecum's Kansas City 2024 auction on December 7. Yup, it's going under the hammer in its hometown, so to speak.
A pristine example that emerged from a rotisserie restoration in 2012, this Torino Twister Special is the type of muscle car you usually see in museums.
Not only does it look flawless inside and out, but it's also a numbers-matching classic that still relies on the original 429 V8 and four-speed manual gearbox.
Not surprisingly, it's a multiple-award winner with more than a dozen prizes to its name. That's a fabulous record for a vehicle that emerged from restoration only 12 years ago (as of 2024).
Also sporting its original sheet metal and optional bucket seats, this Twister Special is one of only 30 examples produced with the four-speed manual (the other 60 got the automatic). It's one of just 29 units listed in the Twister Special Registry. Yup, most of these Torinos are still unaccounted for.
Their scarcity makes Twister Special models highly sought-after and expensive, so expect a six-figure sticker.
A surviving example was most recently auctioned off in January 2024, but bidding ended at $110,000 without hitting the reserve. This car had an automatic gearbox.
In 2021, a manual example in outstanding condition changed hands for $236,500, setting a new record for Torino Twister Specials.
Needless to say, the car you see here could become the most expensive when it hits the auction block.
