In 1974, Ford made some updates to the two-year-old Gran Torino line to give it some further appeal with a new grille and a more durable rear bumper with the taillights removed and placed above the bumper in a panel area. This is a 1974 Ford Gran Torino Brougham for sale here on eBay in Chandler, Arizona for a Buy it Now Price of $6,500.
The Gran Torino Brougham was the top of the line until mid-year 1974 when Ford introduced the Gran Torino Elite, a car they called “a timely new mid-size car in the Thunderbird tradition”. It was one of the hot-selling personal luxury cars, rather than a luxury mid-size car like this Brougham. Yet, they were very similar. The 2-door Brougham sold 26,402 cars during the entire 1974 model run, while the Elite 2 door sold 96,604 cars in an approximate six-month run. Nonetheless, you will find the opera windows on this Brougham model to give it a little “snob” appeal. It also has a reflective panel in the rear similar to the Elite. This car has new exhaust, brakes, suspension and is riding on American racing wheels. The brown paint is original and the vinyl top appears to be in good condition.
One thing the Brougham buyer got that the Elite buyer didn’t is this nice super soft vinyl split front bench seat with dual fold-down armrest (or they could have chosen Westminster cloth). Yes, the Elite buyer could get it too, but as an extra cost option, where it was standard on the Brougham. The seats appear to be in great condition as well as the dash. This Brougham has an aftermarket radio that appears it could be from the eighties, can you say cassette player? At first glance, the leather-wrapped steering wheel appears to be aftermarket, but upon further inspection, it has the Torino insignia and was an option. This car has power steering, power front disc brakes, and air conditioning to make your drive more pleasurable.
This Gran Torino Brougham features the optional 351 cubic inch Windsor engine (302 CID was standard in 1974) that has been rebuilt along with a rebuilt Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic transmission. The seller says the car has a lot of new parts as well. Even though the engine and transmission have been rebuilt, the car has only seen 62,138 miles in the last 45 years. Are you interested in this nice 1974 Ford Gran Torino Brougham for $6,500?
I would make a Starsky and Hutch clone out of this one.
I have to wonder why such a “low mileage car” needed the engine and tranny rebuilt, plus, apparently, a bunch of other new parts.
Sitting and vehicles were nowhere near as reliable as they are now. Ford warranty in 1974 would likely have been 1-year/12,000-mile. My experience is about 3 years 60K miles you would start having serious and or numerous problems.
Looks like my fathers left car when we lived in Mesa back in 1980-86.
Nice car though brown is kind of “meh.” Other than the opera window, which to me looks odd, this is a sharp ride, though the steering wheel would have to go, too. The 351 Windsor is a good engine that accepts performance upgrades well if the new owner is so inclined. No A/C is disappointing though I’m sure it could be added.
I had a ’74 Torino, though I don’t recall the exact model, with a 302 auto, blue on blue. A good car that performed well and was a comfortable cruiser on long trips. Sold it to a buddy that wrecked it while driving drunk. Dumbass destroyed a nice car.
I like this one, it’s a clean example fairly priced.
This car is equipped with a factory air conditioner. In this ad I don’t see mention of it having A/C or that the A/C is just not working. You can see the A/C box on the firewall as well as the compressor on the front of the motor on the drivers side.
I had one exactly like this one except mine had fender skirts and a 351 W. Bought it in 1979 for $2500 and it had 12,250 miles on it. Lost track of it after losing it in divorce in Dallas around 1985. Still have the hood ornament after X ran it through a fence.
Starsky and Hutch !
Steering wheel has been changed, it’s from a 77-79 Ford. Should be a 2-spoke horizontal horn pad same color as the steering column.
Although considered a mid size for the time, this generation always seemed pretty big compared to, say, a GM colonnade.
I had one exactly like this one except mine had fender skirts and a 351 W. Bought it in 1979 for $2500 and it had 12,250 miles on it. Lost track of it after losing it in divorce in Dallas around 1985. Still have the hood ornament after X ran it through a fence.