Talk about triple green stamps, a 390 CI V8 engine, four speed manual transmission, and in a convertible body style, this 1969 Ford Torino GT has it all going on! This is a great find, courtesy of Zappenduster, even if it is a bit “aged” looking and missing some parts. McPherson, Kansas, is where this old Ford calls home, and it’s available here on craigslist for $10,500.
I’m an iffy Fairlane/Torino fan, but not in the case of the ’68-’69 edition – these I dig. I will admit a preference for the two-door hardtop and convertible’s body lines over that of the SportRoof. While the Torino/Fairlane was a popular model, convertibles are pretty scarce, with just 14K wearing the Torino badge and only 2,200 in Fairlane 500 form. The seller informs us: “This Torino will need a full restoration. Will need full floor pan and quarters.” Yes, it’s a bit sketchy looking with a lot of faded paint and the aforementioned rust. Some of the trim is missing, as is the fabric top, though the folding frame is still evident. The seller adds that: “The car is still together,” which I guess means the drivetrain is in place, as are all of the major and/or important parts. There is a Marti report included that details this car’s provenance.
Nothing is said regarding forward motivation, so I’ll assume the 320 gross HP, 390 CI “FE” V8 engine is in non-operational mode. The fan belt is missing, so that usually signals something’s up. It would be nice to know if the engine will turn by hand, but mum’s the word on that matter. The vast majority of this vintage Torino/Fairlane that I encounter shifts itself, but you can row the gears in this car (assuming you can get it running) with its four-speed manual gearbox.
Speaking of the four-speed, the shifter is front and center inside and it’s perched right in front of a black vinyl bench seat – center consoles need not apply. The environment is in rough shape – no surprise considering its topless state. The seat material looks OK, but the door and upholstery panels are problematic. The seller states, “Both seats are gone,” and that’s the case with the back seat – I’m not sure what his statement means beyond that. I wish I could tell you a bit about the instrument panel, but it’s not imaged.
I’m on the fence with the price, it seems as if the number leans more towards what this Ford was as opposed to what it is now. There are a lot of unknowns here, but this is a gem of a find – they just don’t turn up very often, equipped like this and in convertible form no less. It’ll find a new home, and here’s to hoping for a full and correct restoration, wouldn’t you agree?
True hot rod J.O. from Ford.
3.00 ring and pinion ⚙️ std. A bit more lively 3.25 available. The 390 optioned engine is a low end brute, but after examining the specifications, that 351-4V sure isn’t far behind and is no slouch. Either fit the bill.
Twenty nine days and counting.
Was a really cool car when new, someone checked off some good options.
Steve R
A huge project, but a very interesting, unique, and desirable car.
Around 1971, a guy in my neighborhood had one of these, 390, convertible. He beat the living snot out of it! I’m pretty sure it was in the junkyard by 1972!
Had one in my neighborhood briefly. Maroon GT with black ragtop and interior, same 390/4 spd. Jamie bought it around ’76 with a flattened rear quarter panel and within a month there was not a straight panel on the car. We sure enjoyed watching all the burnouts, seemed like he went through a set of rear tires every Friday night.
Hold on to your hat at highway speeds+. This set up would have done well on the oval.
It needs more love than I have the energy to give it she will make a fun car for someone with more money and time to throw at it
The stated production number of 14,000 for Torino Convertibles is WAY off. (All Torino Convertibles were GTs in 1969, by the way.) The number of total Torino Convertibles is 2,552, considerably lower than the 14K stated in this article. Around 50 (between 43 and 56) were made with a 390 S-code with a four speed. This is a fairly rare car to start with, and much rarer with this engine/trans. (The article is about right for 1969 Fairlane 500 Convertibles made. The exact number is 2,264.)
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane V-8, 4-door Sedan, 54A – 27296 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane Torino GT, 4-door Station Wagon, 76D – 2552 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane Torino GT, 2-door Sedan, 63D – 61319 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane Torino GT, 4-door Sedan, 65D – 17951 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane Torino V-8, 2-door Convertible, 71E – 14472 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane Torino V-8, 2-door Fastback Coupe-5p, 65C – 20789 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane V-8, 2-door Hardtop Coupe, 65A – 85630 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane 500 V-8, 4-door Station Wagon, 71B – 12869 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane 500 V-8, 2-door Convertible, 76B – 2264 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane 500 V-8, 2-door Fastback Coupe-6p, 63B – 29849 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane 500 V-8, 2-door FT Coupe, 65B – 28179 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane 500 V-8, 4-door Sedan, 54B – 40888 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane V-8, 4-door Station Wagon, 71D – 10882 units
model year 1969 – Ford (USA) Fairlane Torino V-8, 2-door FT Coupe, 54C – 11971 units
Here’s my proof from Automobile Catalogue, where’s yours?
JO
Jim ODonnell
My proof is right here from torinocobra.com, the most reliable source for production numbers on these cars, and the info for 390 4-speed cars is from Marti Reports. For 30 years, I’ve been constructing and maintaining a database of production numbers, mostly from Marti Reports, of the 1968-71 Torinos.
1969
Cobra 2-door hardtop – 3,786
Cobra 2-door sportsroof – 11,099
Fairlane 4-door sedan – 27,296
Fairlane hardtop – 85,630
Fairlane 500 4-door sedan – 40,888
Fairlane 500 fastback – 22,504
Fairlane 500 fastback with bucket seats – 7,345
Fairlane 500 hardtop – 24,800
Fairlane 500 hardtop with bucket seats – 3,379
Fairlane 500 convertible – 2,045
Fairlane 500 convertible with bucket seats – 219
Torino 4-door sedan – 11,971
Torino hardtop – 20,789
Torino GT fastback with bucket seats – 20,440
Torino GT fastback – 40,874
Torino GT hardtop with bucket seats – 5,068
Torino GT hardtop – 12,883
Torino GT convertible with bucket seats – 928
Torino GT convertible – 1,624
Fairlane wagon – 10,882
Fairlane 500 wagon – 12,869
Torino Squire wagon – 14,472
Ranchero – 5,210
Ranchero 500 – 11,214
Ranchero GT – 1,658
Ranchero GT with bucket seats – 727
Well, I guess we have disagreeing sources.
JO
I have asked the experts on the Torino Convertibles about this discrepancy on their Torino Convertibles Facebook page.
The Standard Catalog of American Cars says 2,552, which equals the total of bucket seat and bench seat versions given by TorinoCobra.com. Automobile Catalogue is the outlier.
Well, it could be, but I honestly don’t care at this point, I’ve moved on to other, newer posts. I stay consistent with my actual production research sources, I use several depending on the subject, not those developed by fan sources. I’m not about to issue an edit.
Eat A Peach,
JO
REVISION: I think that there were 99 made with a 390 S-code with a four speed. Looking at my notes again, I think that the 43 and 56 numbers are divided between bench seat and bucket seat cars.