Hot Wheels 2008 - Collector # 019/172 - First Editions 19/40 - '69 Ford Torino Talladega - Red - IC

Hot Wheels 2008 - Collector # 019/172 - First Editions 19/40 - '69 Ford Torino Talladega - Red - International Card - MPN N3191

Wiki says: The Ford Torino was a mid-sized muscle car produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1968 to 1976, named for the city of Turin in Italy. Essentially, the Torino was an upscale version of the Ford Fairlane, having originally been considered a sub-series of the Fairlane until both lines were merged and the Fairlane name retired.

The Ford Torino Talladega was a special version of the Torino Cobra (a performance package) produced only between January and February 1969. Named for the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, the Torino Talladega would be considered a homologation special in today's terms, for it was produced due to homologation rules to allow Ford to compete in NASCAR racing. Powered by the 428 ci (7.0L) FE Cobra Jet V8, the Torino Talladega is now considered the first member of the Aero Warriors, a nickname given to four muscle cars (Ford Torino Talladega, Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II, Dodge Charger Daytona and the Plymouth Superbird) designed specifically to race in NASCAR. The Torino Talladega was highly successful, winning 29 Grand National races before NASCAR essentially banned the Aero Warriors from competing come 1970. Today, the Torino Talladega, and its sibling, the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II, are often considered to be highly undervalued for what they had achieved in racing; despite this they are still highly collectible cars, with few examples existing today. About 754 were produced.