in 1970 without any factory support, when it became apparent that their Talladegas were aerodynamically superior to the 1970 Torinos Ford had intended to be the Talladega's replacement. After the 1970 season, NASCAR effectively banned the "aero cars" by restricting all five of these "production" cars to having to compete with engines no larger than 305 cubic inches of displacement (vs. the 426, 427, & 429 cubic inches other cars could use), and the competitive history of the Talladega (and its aerodynamically-developed rivals) was essentially over. Production numbers It is believed a total of 754 Talladegas may have been built, although the Talladega/Spoiler Registry can only account for 750. This number includes all prototypes, pilot cars, and production cars built, plus a special post-production car for the president of Ford Motor Company, Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, in March 1969. The Knudsen car was significantly different from all of the homologation cars with regard to options and color, and was even built at a different plant: Ford's Lorain, Ohio plant on March 20, 1969. All production examples were constructed during January and February 1969 at Ford's Atlanta Assembly plant in Atlanta, Georgia, and all homologation cars between January 21 and February 28. (According to the Talladega/Spoiler Registry's records, Talladega number 502 was actually completed on January 31, and then the last 247 homologation cars were built between February 14 and February 28, following a 2-week break in production.) It is unknown as to why Ford built an "extra" 247 homologation cars, once the homologation requirements had been met during the initial run, as it is thought that Ford lost several thousand dollars on every Talladega that was built. The only options offered on the production vehicles (besides the three color choices, including Wimbledon White (286 built), Royal Maroon (258 built) or Presidential Blue (199 built)) were power steering, power brakes, color keyed racing mirrors, AM radio and argent styled steel wheels with F70 X 14 wide oval tires. All production Talladegas received the same options with no substitutions including the C6 automatic transmission and Code 9 3.25 ratio conventional rear axle. Collectors Today, a Torino Talladega is a very collectible car. It was a special purpose built vehicle (some have even called it a "showroom race car") with a very strong racing history, with major links to the NASCAR teams of 1969, that achieved great success during the Aero Wars. Those few