The Torino was Ford’s mid-size entry from 1968-76. It began as the top trim level on the Fairlane and later carried the torch for the whole intermediate line-up. Restyled for 1970-71, they carried fuselage styling inspired by supersonic aircraft with narrow waists and bulging forward sections. This ’71 Torino looks to be a solid survivor in need of some cosmetic TLC, but we’re told it’s a good runner. Located in Jesup, Iowa, this Ford is available here on craigslist for $9,850. Thanks for directing us to this daily driver, Gunter Kramer.

Though popular, the Chevy Chevelle outsold the 1970-71 Torino. Ford built 640,000 Torino’s in those two years, while Chevy cranked out more than 800,000 of their mid-size cars during the same period. Excluding the performance models, three levels of trim were offered on the Torino in 1971: base, 500, and Brougham. The seller’s 2-door hardtop is the basic model and would have been one of 37,518 produced.

With a 302 V8, the entry-level V8 offered in the Torino, we’re told this car runs well. At 64,000 miles, it’s paired with a column-shifted 3-speed automatic transmission. We assume everything works as it should except for the factory air conditioning. It’s inoperative, but all the parts are there. The taxi cab level interior needs some work as the front bench seat is being held together with duct tape. And the carpeting could stand to be replaced.

While the paint warrants refreshing, it would present capably for a while. A bit of rust in the lower extremities of the quarter panels needs attending to as does the left rear frame rail. The vinyl top, which I always thought looked out of place on these Torino’s, looks to have no issues. Fix these other items and you could drive it with confidence to Cars & Coffee. With the aftermarket mag wheels, it looks as though it might go faster than it does.