This 1968 Ford Torino Indy Pace Car is the rarest of the rare.
Ford built 709 Pace Car Torinos in 1968. Only two were ordered with the new 428 Cobra Jet "R-Code" engine. The other car is long gone, making this the only one known to exist. That puts it in a category above the Boss 429, Hemi 'Cuda convertible, ZL1 Corvette, or Ferrari F40 when it comes to production rarity.
Built at Lorain and sold new at Morristown Auto Sales in New Jersey, the Torino was purchased by the Merkle family. Ed Merkle was a Ford-sponsored racer. He and his son Jeff converted the car for Super Stock racing. At just 15 years old, Jeff campaigned the car at Island, Atco, and other East Coast tracks, towing it behind his dad's rig. Tech officials waved him through because of his father's reputation.
The Torinos' body was painted black and fitted with a Fairlane grille and taillights. In 1969, NHRA rules made it more favorable to compete as a '69 Fairlane than a '68 Torino, so the car was re-registered that way. It later moved to Canada and raced in Nova Scotia. In 1979, Bill Campbell bought it and ran it in E/Stock for 37 years, hitting most major East Coast tracks, from Englishtown to Sanair. Despite its 4,000-pound curb weight, the car recorded 11.70s at 110 mph.
The Torino has now been restored to its original Wimbledon White Indy Pace Car livery, with some period racing details left intact. Panels are straight, lower quarters corrected, original undercoating preserved, and bumpers rechromed. The trunk, floors, and inner panels were refinished where needed. The interior features new carpet, Pace Car two-tone seat covers, a restored dash, and the original dash pad. The odometer shows 10 miles, with drag racing slips still in the glovebox.
Power comes from a date-correct Cobra Jet block, rebuilt with all proper CJ components except for the original Ed Merkle high-lift camshaft, which remains. The engine retains factory manifolds, CJ intake, Holley 735 carburetor, and even copper-stapled valve cover gaskets. Backing it is a rebuilt C6 with the correct R-servo and steel tailshaft. Out back is the original 9-inch Detroit Locker with 4.86 gears in its nodular "N" case. The brakes have been detailed, suspension refreshed, and new seals, belts, and hoses installed. Wheels are restored 15-inch Magstars with new T/A Radials.
This Torino is more than a Pace Car. It's the only known Cobra Jet"powered Indy Pace Car in existence, with a proven racing history and a careful restoration. It will draw a crowd at any Ford meet, drag racing event, or concours field.
