Sounding a bit like clickbait but more a case of probably just not knowing how much to ask for it, the seller of this 1971 Ford Torino has a price of $1,000,000 listed. Clearly, that isn’t going to happen unless it was formerly owned by Elvis and has $995,000 worth of Elvis memorabilia in the trunk, which it wasn’t, and doesn’t. They have it posted here on craigslist in Chester, Virginia.
I think this is a million-dollar design. According to the TorinoCobra.com website, and a lot of you know this already, the second-generation Ford Torino was designed by Bill Shenk and Bill Shenk only – as in, he was the sole designer. Although, he had a team of talented folks working with him. This article from the May/June 1995 edition of The Fairlaner News tells the story of Mr. Shenk’s genius and talent. These cars are basically perfect, at least in design and at least to my eyes. I can’t imagine a line or tweak anywhere that could one-up this tight, beautiful design. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Sadly, this design only lasted for two years, 1970 and 1971 before the “Starsky & Hutch” Torino hit the market. Remember those days when car companies would totally change the look of their vehicles every two or three years, or sometimes even every single year? Those days are long gone. You can see that this car has been sitting for a while – apparently since 1995 – and the storage area isn’t a pretty sight. I always hate to see vehicles parked outside for any length of time. For the record, the covered/pop-up/hideaway headlights must work to some extent, the seller included a photo of the driver’s side headlight cover in the closed position.
The exterior of this Torino looks surprisingly solid and nice and the story is that it was a running and driving car until 1995 when the transmission went out and it was parked. The interior is another story. The seller mentions that the floors are rusty and you can see the rust almost everywhere inside, even on the dash which is unfortunate. The back seat looks good and I hope that rodents haven’t been inside this car with it being parked outside for 2.5 decades. They mention that it has been repainted and it appears to have been white originally as shown on the underside of the trunk lid. For the record, that’s not Elvis memorabilia in the trunk.
Maybe if this car had a 429 lurking under the hood an argument could be made to justify the asking price. Ok enough of that, they aren’t really asking $1,000,000 for this one, at least I don’t think they are. You can see that the engine is Ford’s 302 cubic-inch V8 and this one has a two-barrel carburetor which gave it 210 horsepower and 296 ft-lb of torque. They list the mileage as being 999,999 which like the asking price was probably just something to fill the empty space on a craigslist ad, but the odometer shows 62,077 miles. In any case, what are your thoughts on this 1971 Torino or the second-generation Torino, in general? Great design?: yea or nay? It’s a big fat yea for me.
The $1,000,000 “price” in the ad is likely due to the seller not willing to do their research and pick a number, any interested buyer is probably going to have to dance the typical dance associated with a fishing expedition expedition. It’s a frustrating game especially on a car that is best suited for parts due to the salvage title, admitted mechanical issues, rust and general disrepair. Due to the hidden headlights and fastback body, $1,500 or so would be a good price for someone working on a project or willing to piece it out.
Steve R
The grill itself is worth $1500 or more, sir. Check current prices before blurting out silly valuations like this.
Looks like a hunka hunks burning 🥵 love ❤️
The infamous 302 power house .
Is it validated Rlvis due to drive thru wrappers in Memphis? 😉
It’s not numbers matching! It came from the factory with a fuel-injected, turbocharged DOHC 427, four-speed, power steering, four-wheel Brembo disc brakes, power windows, power door locks, six-way adjustable power heated seat, cruise control, AM/FM stereo with four-channel 8 track with six speakers and graphic equaliser.
Ford has been looking for the car ever since it mysteriously vanished from the back of a truck hired to take it to the crusher!
The story I heard was that the driver stopped to use a restroom and the truck and car were gone. They recovered the burned out truck near the Kentucky-West Virginia border but the car’s whereabouts were unknown for the past half-century.
This man has a great sense of humor!
The design if the ’70-71Torino was/is fairly sporty, if not a bit on the large side…compared to GM midsized cars, but usually a treat to see now days. Actually, for years I hardly ever saw these Torinos and to be honest I’ve yet to see a 70-71 Cobra in person. Autotraders don’t count. GT, yes. Cobra….no.
Too bad this one has been neglected to this point, despite the low man 302 it still had potential.
These were awesome looking cars. Still remember seeing my first and last ’70 Torino Cobra 429 Super Cobra Jet with Shaker hood, four-speed with 3:91Traction-Lok rear when I was a teenager. A guy was selling one not too far from where I lived and I just had to see it. He did not give me the time of day nor should he have, but it was cool to lay eyes on it.
This price might seem ridiculous if you haven’t been grocery shopping lately or received your June power bill yet.
You said it! Best comment of the day…
Interesting car, and interesting history. These cars went up against the Dodge Charger 500, Daytona and Plymouth Superbird on the NASCAR circuits in 1969 – 1970. And now there very little interest in the Ford Torino and Mercury Cyclone. Do they sell for 1/10 of the price of a rusted out Dodge Charger?
I’m a Mopar man, but I would love to have a Torino like this in my garage besides a Charger…
Husky, there is a orange Cobra in my town, 429 4spd, drag pack, shaker, window slats, black bucket seats, console etc. It was bought at the local Ford dealer (that I worked at 30 years later) has lest than 15k with everything original except the oil and filter. Still in the hands of the original owner. Absolutely gorgeous and we also have a 69 Charger R/T, bronze, stripe delete (with the large R/T emblems on the quarters) that the original owner still has. It was in a garage fire and needs some paint work from what I’m told. I only saw it once and it too was a beautiful car I would love to own.
What was Ford thinking, coming out with the even larger & heavier ’72 model which basically lasted thru the ’70s in 1 form or another.
Doesn’t rust here on the trans hump & metal kickpan areas, & stains on the door panels mean 1 word – flood?
Appears headlite covers can be closed manually – in 1 of the pics.
Why would anyone waste their time posting this? Including Barn Finds.
I was gonna say they meant $1,000
looks like a barn find to me, …pretty simple
I think he meant to put in 10k and missed a few zeros
Definitely a bargain…
Way back in the day, the drummer in my band had one of these, same color. His kit fit completely in the trunk.
That’s how big it was.
All the Elvis memorabilia in the world wouldn’t add up to $999,500.
The zero key stuck on his computer, and didn’t bother to proofread should read $1000 I hope
Love those galvanized patches in the floor, this guy must have some good weed. Another plain jane Torino. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
I pass at any price.
As Steve S notes the seller is too lazy to figure out their cars value OR, and more and more I think sellers like this DO some research, don’t like what they find and decide to go on fishing expeditions hoping for a sucker.
While I suppose a sucker might come along and offer a couple grand “cause I had one in high school” or “my grandfather taught me to drive in one” otherwise these ads are a waste of time.
They are literally cases of “nothing to see here move along”.
And I honestly have a 96 chevy k1500 with 448,800 miles on it. All original except although, water pump exhaust, a few clutches later , oh and the original owner swapped out the stereo. I’ll sell for a fraction of this torino
Scotty,
This Torino bodystyle did not die. It went down under and became the Falcon XA, XB,XC and XD. Just like a home builder flipping a floor plan, Ford sent the files and tooling necessary for production to Ford Australia. All you have to do is look under the hood, of the 70-71 Torino, at the firewall and then look at the firewall of a Falcon and you will see that it is the mirror image of the Torino. Even boxy XD Falcon has this firewall. Just like the 1970 Mustang becoming the Granada.
Some people in the USA have tried to make a 2 dr aussie Falcon out of a 2 dr usa ‘ 70-71 Torino – with poor results – 2 different bodies, however.
$1800 wsould be a stretch for this car!
Restoring my mom’s old formal roof base 302 Grabber Yellow ’71. First car I drove, and getting a bolts-off restoration. Rarer than the Cobras and GT’s by sheer numbers of them left, although it will never fetch as much as the larger-engined cars. And yes, the most beautiful car design of the era by far.