Buying an older project car from a drier climate will always involve a compromise. While such a climate may be conducive to preserving classic steel, it can exact a high toll in other areas. That is the case with this 1968 Ford Torino GT. It features its original drivetrain and is rust-free. However, its interior has paid the penalty for a life in the Texas sun. It should make a rewarding project, and would turn heads if returned to its former glory. Located in El Paso, Texas, you will find the Torino listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $15,000, although he leaves the option for potential buyers to make an offer. Fifty-five people are currently watching this listing with great interest.

The harsh Texas sun has burned away most of this Torino’s original Highland Green paint. In its place, we see a consistent coating of surface corrosion. However, there is no penetrating rust in any of the panels. The news is equally positive when we look at the vehicle’s underside. Once again, there is surface corrosion but no rot. The buyer may consider a complete nut-and-bolt restoration, and it appears that this classic would be a prime candidate for that approach. The panels have a few minor dents and marks, with the most apparent behind the passenger side door. The rest of the panels look pretty good, and the story is similar with the trim. Some pieces look like they would respond positively to some polish, while other components may require replacement. The tinted glass looks free from significant defects, and the GT wheels appear suitable for restoration.

While Ford offered several engine options in the 1968 Torino GT, the pick of the bunch was the S-Code 390ci V8. That is what we find occupying the engine bay of this classic, while the car also features a C6 automatic transmission and power front brakes. With 314hp available under the right foot, this GT would have stormed the ¼ mile in 15.2 seconds. There are some positives to take away from this classic for potential buyers. The first is that it is a numbers-matching vehicle and appears to be mechanically complete. It doesn’t currently run or drive, and it isn’t clear when it last did. The owner doesn’t indicate whether the engine turns freely, but if it does, reviving it may not be a complex undertaking. However, I won’t be surprised if the next owner treats that 390 to a rebuild as part of the restoration process. If they did, that would ensure that this car had many years of faithful service to offer to them and any subsequent owners.

There’s no hiding the fact that while the Texas climate has been kind to this Torino’s panels, it has done some pretty horrendous things to its interior trim and plastic. While the seats aren’t visible in this shot, they are present. However, like the rest of the upholstery, they will require a re-trim. The dash is reasonable, but the pad is well beyond repair. A trim kit to return the interior to a factory-fresh state will leave no change from $1,600, but a replacement pad will add a further $400 to the bill. If I were to buy this classic, I would put some effort into trying to salvage the existing console. Reproduction items are readily available, but they retail for approximately $700. At this point, this interior restoration has already pushed beyond the $2,500 mark, and that’s without accounting for things like the cracked wheel and reviving the factory air conditioning. That’s a lot of money, but the finished product would be well worth the expense.

Returning this 1968 Torino GT to its former glory will be a significant undertaking, but the car is a long way from being a lost cause. Its overall solid nature and numbers-matching drivetrain would seem to make it worth the effort. It would be ideally suited to an enthusiast looking for a car that is a DIY project. If you fit that description and have been searching for a project car, this one might be just what you were looking for.