One of the fascinating “what-ifs” of American automotive styling is what direction the all-new-for-1972 Torino would had taken if five-mile-per-hour bumper regulations not taken effect in 1973. With its bold grille and intricate front bumper, the ’72 model was a bit of a one-off, and it’s certainly (in my opinion) the best of the big 1972-76 generation of Ford’s intermediate. The Gran Torino Sport, especially the SportsRoof (and that’s a mouthful to say at the same time) has become a fairly hot collector car, perhaps as a result of some movie car cachet. It played an important part in Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino and was one of the baddies’ cars in Fast & Furious, the fourth installment of that increasingly outlandish film franchise. This ’72 model is, sad to say, likely to need a full restoration, but in the words of the seller, it has “one of the cleanest bodies” he’s seen in a long time. It’s currently on eBay in Pompano Beach, Florida, with an asking price of $12,900, but the seller is “ready to deal.”

I’ve never been a fan of “Hot Rod Black,” the flat black paint that this car currently wears (it also could be plain old black primer, but let’s hope it’s epoxy if that’s the case). There is hope for a brighter future, however, because the inside of the trunk and door jambs shows what is certainly the original color, and it appears to be Code 6E “Medium Bright Yellow,” a great-looking color on Gran Torino Sports.

Although a 140-horsepower 302 two-barrel was standard in the Sport (which wouldn’t have been very sporting), there were several upgrades, including the 172-horsepower 400 two-barrel found in this example. Whoever ordered this car new was more interested in a sporty look and luxurious appointments, as they specified air conditioning on the option sheet; the seller says all the components for the system are still there but it does not blow cold. The 400 runs well with “no knocks, ticks, or smoke,” but it will need a carburetor rebuild (easy work on an Autolite/Motorcraft two-barrel), and the car will need brake work before you can drive it. Front disc brakes were standard on Sport models, and this car has the optional power brakes.

The interior is, by the seller’s admission, “rough.” He’s removed some old seat covers to uncover the original Houndstooth upholstery, but considering the cracked dashboard, worn carpet, and ripped seats, it’s going to need a lot.

On the other hand, the body is missing the gaping holes found in so many early 1970s Fords; it has “just a couple rust spots and that’s it.” The frame is good (but there are no pictures in the ad), the wheelwells are good, the floors are good, and the trunk is good. This is a minor point, but the wheelcovers don’t match any of the 1972 Torino options in the sales material. Are they aftermarket? If they look familiar, please give us something to go on in the comments.

Yes, this car will be a project: I’m usually a proponent of getting a car running and driving and enjoying it as it sits, but that flat black paint just cannot stand. With its swoopy new styling and fastback roofline, however, this will be a project worth doing, especially when you see it in that nice yellow paint.