When I was looking to buy the car in 1970, I first looked at the Falcon with the SCJ 429 but the price was only slightly lower than the Torino Cobra. Plus I didn't like the two door sedan body that the Falcon had become.
I wound up ordering the Grabber Blue Cyclone Spoiler with the SCJ 429. Never did take delivery though. On the test drive, the engine was running rough. They said they would look into it. So the next day I stopped by and snuck in a side door. There in the corner is an old, long hair guy looking at my engine. I walk up casually and look over his shoulder. He has the drivers valve cover off. I ask what he is doing and he holds up half a keeper and says, "the other half of this." Then he turns around and asks who I am. I reply that I was the guy who was buying the car. They took off the head and there in the middle of the piston is the valve splitting the piston as nice as you please. They wanted to use a bare block and rebuild the motor. I told them a crate motor or I want my money back. After a long battle, I finally found a friend who knew where the skeletons were hidden. After one call I was told to go get my money.
I wound up buying 1970 Mark Donahue Javelin, 390, 4 speed, posi, PS, PB, Machine wheels with E6015 tires. One neat car. Sorry I sold that one.
Later!
Mr. Ed
