Sometimes owners will make changes to a classic car with the best of intentions. These modifications can be minor, but they also have the potential to be quite profound. A previous owner made changes to this 1969 Torino GT that probably fall into the latter category, but they are by no means irreversible. The buyer will need to choose whether to continue to drive and enjoy this turn-key classic as it stands or whether to restore it to its original 1-of-9 paint and trim combination. Located in West Linn, Oregon, the Torino has been listed for sale here on craigslist. The owner has set the sale price for the GT at $28,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder MattR for spotting the Torino for us.

The owner states that the Torino received a repaint around 25-years-ago, but it has survived quite well since. There are a few scratches and marks, but they are acceptable if the vehicle is considered a survivor. However, that repaint is one of the bones of contention with this car. Whoever performed it has done an excellent job because they’ve tackled the door jambs, the trunk, and under the hood. They needed to because they undertook the work as part of a color change for this classic. When it rolled off the production line, Black Jade paint graced all of that Ford steel. It would have looked pretty stunning, and that is part of the puzzle with this car. It isn’t clear why the previous owner decided to do this, but the buyer will need to pick their plan of attack once the GT is safely parked in their garage. Looking beyond the color conundrum, the Torino appears to be in good order. There are no significant dings or dents and no visible indications of potential rust problems. The chrome and glass are in good order, while the GT rolls on its original wheels.

The Torino is a numbers-matching car that features a 351-4v V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. That V8 would have produced 290hp when the vehicle was new, allowing it to cover the ¼ mile in 15.2 seconds. That didn’t make it the fastest Torino GT you could buy in 1969, but it was far from the slowest. The car is in sound mechanical health, with the owner stating that it runs and drives well. A previous owner had the 351 rebuilt and added some performance upgrades at that point. The owner is unsure of the specifications or the changes, but that might be something for the buyer to investigate if they have their eyes firmly focused on spotless originality.

When we open the doors and look around inside the Torino, we find an interior that is tidy and seems to need nothing. The upholstered surfaces are faultless, while the same is true of the carpet and the optional console. Someone has fitted an aftermarket tach into the dash, and there is a gauge under the dash, but these are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to changes. The owner holds a Marti Report for the GT, and it indicates that the Torino rolled off the production line with an interior trimmed in white vinyl. It isn’t clear why a previous owner chose to change this, but I find it interesting that while he altered the exterior from black to white, he went in the opposite direction with the interior. The interior changes may have come down to a question of practicality. White vinyl can deteriorate pretty rapidly, and it doesn’t take much for it to look tired and ratty. That may have been the case with this car, so that is something that potential buyers might want to investigate. If the new owner isn’t fussed about originality, there’s no reason to change this interior.

There’s no question that this 1969 Torino GT is a tidy classic, and I can’t think of one good reason why it couldn’t be driven and enjoyed as it currently stands. I have always preferred unmolested classic cars, which would make it tempting to restore this one if I were to park it in my garage. However, the determining factor will almost certainly be the potential value once the work is complete. Values have been climbing, but it is still possible to get some extremely nice 351-equipped Torino GTs for well under $40,000. The owner is asking $28,000, which is a competitive figure when you consider its overall condition. If potential buyers seek that 1-of-9 appearance for this car, they will face a full repaint and an interior retrim. That isn’t going to be cheap, and whether the expense could be justified is questionable. As much as I’d love to see the Torino returned to its former glory, I’d hand the man the money that he wants and drive it unchanged. What about you?