For Updated Information on this car, Click Here.
We have seen them on eBay and even had them discussed on our Forum but just exactly what was the 1969 Petty Blue Torino? In other articles we have discussed the 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT 500 and even accept them in our Registry. From all that I have been able to find it appears that the Petty Blue 1969 Torino was very much the same kind of deal. It was a special promotion for the 1969 Charlotte 600.
These 100 cars were all identical 351 Cleveland powered automatics. Obviously Mercury had the Dan Gurney and Cale Yarborough Spoiler and Spoiler II tribute cars but why didn’t Ford have one? It appears that they did; and it was the Richard Petty Blue Torino. Remember this was a big year for Ford, The King had left the MOPAR Team and joined up with Ford and drove Petty Blue Talladegas and Torinos (short tracks). To make the story complete I should be able to tell you that there were also Petty Blue Talladegas just like the Spoiler II Cale and Dan cars with the long noses but such is not the case. However, Ford did build three 428 CJ C6 automatic Petty Blue Torinos!
I recently received a call from the owner of one of the three 428 CJ cars. He is interested in selling it and I will provide the contact info to anyone who is interested. Just send me an email to rfleener@comcast.net. The following photos provide you with an idea of what the car is like.
The car shown here is owned by Otto Bryant. He has owned it approximately a year and a half. Ford received the order on February 20, 1969 and it was built March 11, 1969. It was then sent to a holding facility until it was given away as part of a contest. I am unaware of the details on the contest but would like to get more information if anyone has it.
Please note on the Data Plate below that the paint code is blank as it should be for a special order paint.
This particular car still has most of its original paint and is rust free. It has been garaged all of its life of 99,000 miles. The owner does have a Marti Report and Build Sheet confirming its pedigree. It is believed that Richard himself handed the keys to the winner of the contest and that the other two 428 CJ cars are in the Richard Petty private collection and have never been titled but this has not been confirmed.
In addition to the C6 automatic the Torino has a bench seat, oil cooler, PS and white sidewalls. This was a non-ram air car with only AM radio being the other option.
Because these cars appear to fit right in with the Mercury Spoiler in purpose we will be adding a Registry for them, Click Here to Register Your Petty Torino. If you have one of these cars or know the VIN of one please submit your information.
