The Torino joined the Ford line-up in 1968 as an upscale mid-size Fairlane. Going into the 1970s, the Torino replaced the Fairlane and continued through 1976. The seller has a 1976 Torino, a year before the Ford LTD II moniker would be used instead. Though the car has tons of patina, we’re told it runs well but is taking up too much space. Located in Knoxville (Iowa, not Tennessee), this disc-era artifact is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,000 (no extra charge for what may be a killer sound system and mag wheels). Once again, “Zappenduster” is the sleuth for this tip!
If you were shopping for a Torino-badged 2-door hardtop in 1976, there were four choices: Torino, Gran Torino, Gran Torino Brougham, and Gran Torino Elite. Since the seller doesn’t say otherwise, we’ll assume this Torino is the base model, which saw 34,500 copies in this body style alone. It left the Knoxville dealer new in 1976 and may not have ventured very far, as the mileage is said to be a scant 36,000. The paint used to be grey, and the vinyl top may have once matched it. The red/black interior seems to have held up nicely.
We’re told the Ford is a good runner with what could be a 351 cubic inch V8 (maybe a 302; no mention is made). An automatic transmission is a part of the equation (no 4-speeds here). A younger driver must have been in charge at one time, given the Cragar wheels and a stereo system with a wired 1200-watt subwoofer that fills up the trunk.
As does happen, the seller is no longer using this Torino much. To free up space in the garage, it now needs another “loving owner.” If you take this Ford home, would you use it as-is (they’re only original once) or spring for a full restoration? You don’t often see these Torinos today compared to its main competitor, the Chevy Malibu.
This thing is rough for the mileage! It would seem here,you would get the disadvantage of a car that’s rarely been driven, coupled with one in not very good condition.
Quarter vinyl roof + houndstooth upholstery + base Torino badging and chrome trim = a Limited Edition ‘76. I think Ford spiced up the base Torino line this model year to rid themselves of some extra inventory.
Looks nice and solid and the engine compartment looks nearly new under that partial layer of dust. Hope it gets a good home.
Whiskey bottles,, brand new cars ,oak tree you’re in my way,,anyone recognize that lyric? Gary Rossington, the unbelievable guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, my all time favorite rock group,,crashed his then brand new 1976 Torino like this, promoting the song “Oooh that smell”. it wasn’t until “lyrics” came out, the rest is, “the smell of death surrounds you”, I thought was, “the smell of “S” ,around you”, what ever “S” was. It’s incredibly ironic, Rossington and Allen Collins, another incredible guitarist, who was injured in a separate car crash that same day, and probably the bands 2 biggest burnouts, were 2 of the few band members that weren’t killed in a plane crash Oct. 20, 1977. Go figure. As long as nobody paints this car red with a white stripe, we’re okay.
https://youtu.be/vvAOfhDbGiA
Gary’s last song but long live Skynyrd!!
After watching it, I feel like I took a ride on a runaway train, no that’s another song- I meant run away steam locomotive.
Howard you just made my month. I listen to Lynard Skynard just about every day when I go somewhere. I never knew that song actually represented a real event. Thank you for letting us know that. I was listening to Gary sing red white and blue this afternoon. Take care Howard.
Hard to see a 1976 Torino in this condition selling for $9,000, even with the $400 worth of speakers in the trunk. There is a lot of other mid-1970’s American cars in better condition for significantly less money this is competing against. The rims can look good, but both shown have a fair amount of pitting due to rust on the outer hoop. This car lives in the segment of the market where price, rather than enthusiasm for a specific year, make and model is the driving factor which drives the decision making process. There are better deals to be found, you see them on this site nearly everyday, this is the slow time of year for the vintage car market, patience and persistence buyers find better deals.
Steve R
Garage find my *ss. That thing clearly sat outside in the sun for a VERY LONG TIME.
Good point, and makes me wonder how crusty it is underneath spending of where it was sitting.
What a piece of junk!
Hey! You left out the Gran Torino Sport. I owned one brand new back in the day. Drove it off the showroom floor. Bright Red, loaded, buckets and a console/floor shift. The only problem was it was way too front heavy. Scraped the road if the dip was too big. Put 4 of those Pep Boy spring spacers in it. Worked.
Seller is delusional asking that kind of money. It looks worse on the Facebook posting.
I bought a new Grand Torino Elite. It looked like a good copy of a Thunderbird. Worse handling car I had ever driven I got rid of it after six months. I liked the look of the car but too disappointed with how it drove. That was my last Ford.D
Hi Howard! I might still sing that song when I’m at karaoke. And
nowadays, that’s hardly ever. Trying to get my GM to have karaoke 🎤 night at my store 🏬
just so I can sing once in awhile.
You might retire, but you can’t take the yen to reform from a true
performer. Alright guys, who among you plays an instrument 🎸 and wants to play music 🎵🎶 again!! And no, I don’t believe this car has 36K showing.
More like 136K to me.
When I get the need for music I just fire up my tuner and let Santana do his work. If I’m in my hot rod van the satellite radio takes me to any part of my life I want. Can’t get the music out of the cars and the cars out of the music.
Well said Bob
Once again, can’t get it out of the garage for some decent photos?