This super-clean 1973 Ford Gran Torino looks like it’s three years old, not 43! If it hadn’t been photographed with much newer vehicles in the background I would question it really being that nice! It’s located in Van Nuys, California and is up for sale here on eBay at an extremely low opening bid but with a reserve.
The seller tells us that he rescued the car from 12 years of backyard storage and proceeded to get the car running, then painted it in the original color. I wonder how bad the original paint really was; it would have been nice to be able to keep it. However, at least in these pictures, the paint looks really nice. My main problem with this picture is the bent antenna!
I’m surprised to see the vinyl roof in as nice condition as it is after that much storage outdoors; it must have been in the nice California climate! While this car in itself isn’t of extraordinary specification, it’s condition really sets it apart from most other cars of it’s era. The styling is nice, although the earlier Torinos are more to my taste; by this point cars were already getting 5 mph bumpers that added to both their physical and visual mass. The seller does add that those bumpers are in “okay” condition.
The seller tells us the car has 49,750 miles; they must have been gentle ones based on the interior. I can’t believe that the dash isn’t even cracked! The air conditioning has been refurbished and works. No bucket seats, no manual transmission, but it sure is clean!
Although it’s not perfect under here either, the engine does look remarkably original. I’m surprised the seller didn’t turn the air cleaner top to the correct orientation before taking the picture, but if that’s the only problem under here you’re home free! The seller says it runs well, and has even mounted new tires on the original wheels (which have the original wheel covers, natch!). So what do you think? It may not be the most desirable car, but it’s hard to fault its condition! Would you have a place in your garage for it?
Nice 70’s car. But who knows what they are asking!
I bought a brand new 74 Torino.. Family car, 4dr, 6 cyl… It was great until I began fooling around with it.. Then, it just went downhill after 3 years.. Oh Well.. Lesson learned.. My bad.
Great find and a nice car..
It is a flipper. Avantiautogroup@yahoo.com. A number of ads out there with their email address.
Why the derogatory thing about flippers they bring a lot of cars to the market that would sit and rust away. So they make a little profit so what. If you don’t like the price of the car do not buy it. I don’t get it.
I owned a 1972 and a 1974, both were good cars. I really loved the front and rear styling on the 72; it’s approximately the same rear as shown here but the open-mouthed grille, but the 1974 with the 351C, 4-bbl, and factory dual exhaust was a real hoot to drive. I like the look of this one and – if I were in the market for American iron today – I’d seriously give this one some consideration.
Great looking car.
Once upon a time, I bought a Ford Elite of similar vintage, with the idea that it would eventually become a demolition derby car. Built like a tank.
But I never got to it… Ahh well.
This looks like a nice vintage ride. We’ll see if it is affordable as the auction progresses. The seller also has a listing for a 356. $$$ Here we go again?
Check under the seat for Larry Seller’s homework and my Creedence tapes.
The rear bumper of this era Torino seemed such a common place for a “have you hugged your kid today” sticker. Usually a four door though.
Such a standard fare vehicle of my childhood. Everyone had a neighbor or relative with one.
I have a 1972 Gran Torino Sport currently.
During my younger crazy days, I bought a 73 Torino, Police package from the little town I grew up in, because the car had been wrecked, I got the car for $750.00, the fact that it was totaled most people thought I was crazy, but the Torino only had 52,000 on a 351 Police inceptor engine. What they did not know was the fact that I had also bought a 74 Gran Torino with a blow engine, so I switched out the motor and tranny and had a nice running Fast Grand Torino, and only had invested around $2000.00 in both cars, of course I had to pay my Dad for his help, which was not money but dinners. What was really funny, was I was only 15 years old at the time, so it was my first car, even though I could not legally drive it for another 6 months until I turned 16 and I loved it wish I had never sold it. I found a picture of it so I attached it