Note the '429 CID' graphics on each side of the hood. Images: eBay

You’re not misreading the title of this eBay vehicle – it’s a 1970 Torino GT that was a pace car for a race track. But certainly it must be a typo because the Torino GT convertible was the pace car at Indianapolis for 1968! While that certainly is true, there’s no saying that other race tracks couldn’t have their own pace cars; in this car’s case, it paced the races at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina.

Ford's ad touted "Torino - a great race car makes a beautiful pace car."

If that’s not enough to get your salivary glands juiced, this Torino GT is also a full-honking J-code 429 Cobra Jet car with Ford’s infamous Shaker hood scoop.

Nineteen seventy was a banner year for Ford. Riding on the success of the Maverick and introduction of the Pinto, Ford also basked in the glory of the whole Torino line winning Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award. MT felt there was a Torino for each type of mid-size customer, from the economy-minded Fairlane 500, mid-line Torino, sano Torino Cobra, sporty Torino GT, and luxurious Torino Brougham.

While the Cobra tends to get the attention today, an equivalent Torino GT is rarer and was available with more dressy options such as hidden headlights and Laser stripes. This pace car, however, has a solid stripe – a design that’s only common to certain promotional cars like the Twister Special and the handful of pace cars Ford distributed to a number of race tracks.

According to this eBay auction, NASCAR ordered 12 Torino GTs and delivered them to Hollman and Moody for some preparation before being set loose for pacer duties. There is even a statement by none other than Benny Parsons claiming he picked up this GT from Dearborn and drove it to North Carolina.

Painted in Pastel Blue – a color similar to UNC’s school colors – it’s one of 2,114 according to the Marti Report. There were also 501 GTs built with the 429CJ, automatic, and ram air, so this car is special on so many levels. Add to the fact that this car is loaded with 19 options and you’d be hard-pressed to find another example of Ford muscle that has it all as much as this one.