The Torino would debut in 1968 as the top-end entry in the Fairlane series of mid-size cars. In just three years, it would become the intermediate’s primary brand. The GT was largely an appearance package but could have some muscle depending on the engine selection. This recently revived ’68 GT has just 28,000 miles and an M-code 351 cubic inch Windsor V8 under the hood. It looks good at 20 feet, but the paint shows its age any closer than that. Located in Reno, Nevada, this Torino is available here on eBay where the no reserve bidding has reached $9,300.
Total Fairlane/Torino production would approach 367,000 cars in 1969, a slight decline from the prior year. About 40% of those machines were badged as Torino’s, with 13,000 being the GT 2-door hardtop like the seller’s car. We’re told this auto is a barn find that required some work to get it going again. After replacing the gas tank, fuel pump, and the cooling system (and likely batter), we’re told the Ford fired right up and sounds great. That 351 motor with a 4-barrel carburetor would have been rated at 290 hp and 385 lb.-ft of torque, so it’s a decent performer right out the gate.
The car is said to be wearing its original color and paint, Jade Green. The finish is rather faded in places and the seller tells us the car has minimal rust, identifying just the spot in front of the driver’s side rear wheel well. This Ford has held up to Mother Nature in part due to it being a California car. Everything else appears to be solid. The interior is going to require some repair to the front seat cushion, the carpeting is worn, and the door panels faded from exposure to the sun. The dashboard is wearing a cover, so we don’t know if a new pad is needed.
We’re betting this car has an interesting story for having only covered 500 or so miles per year. But, alas, no such luck. Both Hagerty and NADA indicate a ’69 Torino is a mid-$20,000s automobile at the high end, so the current bidding doesn’t allow a ton of room to restore the car. It had factory air conditioning when new, but the compressor has been removed, so fixing that along with the interior and paint won’t leave a lot of room for other work.
In the 70’s, I had a Seafoam green ’68 with a 302, AC, AT, PS, etc. One of the nicest cars I ever had, and I had dozens. Great driving vehicle, I can imagine what a 351 4 barrel would do for it.
It probably wouldn’t be much faster with the 351. Had a classmate in HS with a 390 4 barrel Torino. Can’t recall that he ever won a race. Got beat by every 350 Camaro and Nova in the school.
390 was a truck motor, the 351 is most likely faster.
Not everybody knows how to drive/race so maybe some of those losses are due to the driver? Just saying.
big difference between the 351 and 302
in June of 1968 got a brand new gt fast back rt off the show room floor it was a 390 4 speed one of the best cars i ever had
Wasn’t Steve McQueen ‘s Mustang in Bullit 390 powered?
Yes, the Bullit Mustang was a 390 S code Mustang.
Yes, McQueen’s green GT had the 390 with some engine work done to it, 4 speed, all that and the black 440 Charger could walk away from the hopped up Mustang with ease, ha, the stunt driver/actor who drove the Charger claimed he had to slow down to allow the Mustang to keep up in some scenes. Not knocking the 390, but Ford could have made a better performer out of it with parts they already, instead they gave us a luke warm set up. They did the same thing with the 351 Windsor, not really a high performance engine at all…..from the factory. Just gabbing.
This is a handsome beast, but it needs a 4 (5) speed.
I had one like this in high school. 351W with factory 4 speed & bench seat. Same color combo with black vinyl top and gold stripes. Bought for 425 bucks with around 65k miles.
If this is a ‘68, the 351W Is not original. The 351W was new for’69.
It’s a ’69.
I had a 69′ Ford Galaxy 500 Same body “coupe” 390c.i. PS,PB, Auto, Heater blower in rear window. I was on my way to buy a Rancharo 68. I saw this car at an estate sale. This was a “real” eldery ladies car. Nobody ever say in the back and it had 28,000 original miles. I paid $500 for it. It was one of.the best cars j ever owned. Original pail shined like new. I pulled a 28′ travel trailer from Miami to Tenn and back, no problems. I had to sell it because I had too many toys and it didn t have A/C. It was fast as hell. I miss it.
Even though they were bigger bodied, the 68-69 Torinos were such a great looking car, like many from that era. I was not a fan of the Windsor engine, preferring the Cleveland instead. This example has good bones, but is all the money and then some IMHO. Nevertheless, with some work, it will make a nice driver.
It’s a nice driver as it sits. Buff the paint spend $500 to replace the carpet and buy an upholstery kit for the front seat and it’s good to go. It’s perfect as a turn key entry level driver that is more affordable than almost every other muscle car era car featured on this site.
Steve R
Nice, inexpensive car to get into the hobby with
I’m a fan of this body style over the fastback. It’s the 428 4 speed that makes these formidable and expensive. 390 is a great motor, not sure by this year if the 390 could be had with enough horsepower. This 351 auto is just mediocre. If it were mine I’d change the drivetrain. Nice car, but nothing really special.
Back in the day, I wasn’t a fan of the hardtop and preferred the Sportsroof but I find this Torino GT to be a good-looking car now. The 351 Windsor is a good motor and having some experience with them, would hardly call them mediocre. The ’69 351 Windsor had either 250hp or 290hp which makes for a decent performer and a good basis for adding more hp with the abundant speed parts available. It’s not 351 Cleveland good but a motor you can build up and get a lot more HP out of. This attractive hardtop is a lot cheaper than a 428, that’s for sure. I’ve had three Torinos; a ’68 hardtop like this one (a true beater), a very nice ’68 4-door sedan (my DD for a few years) and a ’69 Torino GT convertible which was a beauty I should have kept. All great cars that rode/drove well and were extremely reliable. I’d love to have another but I barely have room for the cars I have now, otherwise I’d be tempted. I’d paint this one, freshen up the interior and go to town on extracting more power from the original engine. I don’t have to be first on race day but I don’t want to be last and this Torino would suit me nicely.
Gorgeous cruiser. The only thing i’d do is upgrade the duct tape on the seat from silver to black. Just keep it well maintained and enjoy it.
I’m most impressed by the 2″ receiver hitch under the rear bumper. I could tow my Winnebago 21 footer with this all day long.
Only thing that could make this Ford any better would be the 428, even with an automatic that shifts real hard, but even as it sits now I’d be happy with it….for a while. Wheel change to Torque thrusts, 2.5 inch dual exhaust with modern mufflers, shift kit, open air cleaner( I live in a warm climate, especially right now),
I dont like the stock intake manifold on these either almost a flat riser…gotta go. Maybe I’m just daydreaming about a car I always wanted three decades ago and almost never saw. I would have taken a 351, 390, 428, or even just a 302 in one of these hard tops. Really nice ride, keep it a tad rough.
The 68′ Torino Fastback with a 428 Cobra was my favorite. I never had one but a friend of mine did. The times we had with that car.
What a great car. And nothing at all wrong with a tuned, or warmed up 351W. AC compressor and clutch not so bad its chasing all the vacuum gremlins thats the headache. At least it probably came with front discs in 68/69.
The car in the picture is a ’69 you can tell by the tailights and it came with front disc brakes, power. I had about 5 Falcons, 64-65 , a 65 Futura pony interior 289c.i. then I had a 70 & 1/2 Falcon Torino body style not square. Ten a 72 Torino Starsky & Hutch style then another 71 Torino 500 Then the 69 Galaxie 500. Then I started spending most of my time on HD.
Winning bid:US $10,609.00[ 14 bids ]
Dang! Awesome car. Hardtop, 351W 4 bbl, factory front disc brakes … ! Lots of potential.
There’s a good reason ac compressor was removed. Windows work fine and first rule of hot rodding is ‘remove weight’ !
I’d say thats one heck of a deal!
Ten six for a nice drivable Ford Torino GT compared to some of the absolute junkers that go for more.
And not a low line version either. I get it, if it the 428 CJ, especially a 4 speed model, that price would be a Lot higher, but who cares. Hats off to the buyer and seller.
No kidding, someone got a great deal for this Torino at that price. Fair price at $10,600 for this buyer