The Torino nameplate first appeared in 1968 as the high-end version of the mid-size Ford Fairlane. By 1971, when the car received an all-new slippery shape, the Fairlane brand was gone, and Torino covered the whole lineup. The seller refers to this ’71 as a Gran Torino, but the “Gran” part wouldn’t appear until 1972. What may be more likely is this is a Torino 500 or GT with the SportsRoof body style. In a dark dusty garage in Olathe, Kansas, this Ford looks to have been forgotten about long ago. It’s in parts and pieces and may only serve now as a donor car. It’s available here on craigslist for $2,000 in hopes of making it gone. Thanks for the FOMOCO tip, Gunter Kramer!
After the intermediates received sweeping changes in 1970, the Torino series only saw minor revisions for 1971. If you wanted to get a Torino with the “fastback” look, your choices were the Torino 500, Torino GT, or the Torino Cobra. Part of the VIN the seller provides suggests it could be the middle offering, the GT, but the condition of the car doesn’t lend itself much to the identification. If this was a Cobra, surely the seller wouldn’t have left that detail out. Ford built 11,150 Torino 500 Sportsroofs in 1971 plus 31,641 more GTs the same way.
The only thing the seller seems to be able to confirm about the car is it was built at Ford’s Atlanta, Georgia plant. The mileage is unknown as is the engine, though one of the letters in the VIN suggests it’s a 351. But we don’t know what transmission it is or was paired with. The car will be sold with a salvage title, creating one more obstacle to restoring this machine if that is your goal. And the completeness of the automobile is also unknown. Would you bite on this one as a donor for another project?
I bought this yesterday. Picking it up this morning. I’ve got a 70 ranchero I’m gonna pluck some pieces for. Car is packed with parts. Was a 351. No motor or transmission. I’ll update later. Not a salvage title by the way.
I have everything you may need for restore back to gt. If that is your goal get wuth me.
Update?
I just finished doing a timing chain on my buddies 71 Montego. 351c and swapped the distributor for a aftermarket Ford HEI set up had to adjust the ac compressor bracket a little to fit the new distributor. But it runs so smooth and good now. Also just a 2 bbl auto car but has “turbo” mufflers and sounds good. Great car and hard not to appreciate how just drives.
Excellent for KC John ! Looks like it’s a gt with the large lower rocker clips there should be a ribbed mounding with charcoal painted center. From the few pics it looks like it would be a costly restore I’m really glad to see someone on here to get this deal for his ranchero I’m sure there’s going to be more than 2k worth of parts left over for John to sell.
VIN number material at best.
First thing I noticed was that O2 bottle. Better tie that bad boy higher up.
Update. I got her home and cleaned out. Unfortunately no grill for my baby. Oddball Gt. 2bbl V8 with automatic. Buckets, column shifter, no console, ac, disc brakes. I wanted hood but I think I’m gonna sell it with the car. I’ll list it in a week or two. Ton of pics and parts
I’m tech challenged. Posted wrong pic. Lol