A genuine 1972 Ford Gran Torino coupe has surfaced on Craigslist in Yamhill, Oregon, offered as a complete but aged project with muscle car DNA and a straight body. Though rough around the edges, this two-owner Ford runs and drives, making it a compelling candidate for someone eager to resurrect an affordable classic. See it here on Craigslist.
This third-generation Torino is powered by a 302 V8 mated to a C4 automatic transmission, which reportedly engages smoothly in all gears. The car was originally sold new in Seattle and has remained in the Pacific Northwest ever since. Its long-term family ownership, dating back to the late 1970s, is a rare bonus for a lien-title vehicle being sold from a tow yard, and documentation includes both the lien paperwork and a bill of sale.
Recently, the seller performed several basic service items on December 30, 2024, including an oil change, coolant flush, and transmission service with a new filter and fresh fluid. The Torino now starts easily, idles on its own, and doesn’t stumble at higher RPMs. Power steering and brakes are also said to function as intended.
Visually, the body is mostly straight with no major rust, though a large dent on the front grille, caused by a storage mishap, is the most obvious blemish. The medium green metallic paint (code 4P) has been poorly resprayed at some point, and the front bench seat shows wear and splits. Other interior issues include a sagging headliner, leaking door seals, and non-functioning electronics such as the radio, heater, and headlight switch. The car has no keys, so the trunk and gas cap remain locked.
Still, it’s an honest survivor with muscle car appeal and plenty of potential for restoration or light tinkering. The seller even includes eight hubcaps, just in case you feel like mixing up the look. While it’s not a turnkey classic, the fact that it runs, drives, and has a clean underbody makes it an attractive option for someone seeking a hands-on project with real upside.
Would you fix it up as a weekend cruiser, or turn it into a dirt-track sleeper?
Interesting but I don’t see “muscle” with a 302 in a mid size.
This one is rough, these have never had much of a following compared to 66-71 Torino/Fairlanes. There were some performance variants offered in 72-73 especially if they had the GT option, but were one generation beyond muscle car status, especially with a 302.
The seller started at $7,000 and is now at $3,900, based on the visible rust on the bottom of the door, corrosion on metal interior parts and the general condition of the interior as well as the front valance they are likely a long way off of finding a buyer, 26 days on CL suggests there isn’t much if any interests.
Steve R
With all the money it’s going to take from new owner, perhaps cut the roof into a fastback or a convertible that never was. Needs a Cleveland, maybe a stick
I would drain the fluids and turn it into the earth.
You had me interested until 302.
My parents had a 72 Gran Torino with the Cleveland engine. That had torque and the 72 grille.
This one not so much.
Good luck on sale…
Elizabeth, you’re going to get roasted for calling this a muscle car. There were definitely muscular 1972 Torinos, but a car equipped with a mild 302 is not one of them. According to your bio, you’re a lifelong gearhead, but I’d expect a lifelong gearhead to know what a muscle car is. No desire to be harsh, but like I said, you’ll get roasted for a gaffe like this.
It’s at least muscular looking…..
My first car was a similar 72 Gran Torino coupe except with a 351W/C6 combo. Mine had the same color interior so I’m guessing the original exterior color of this one was a similar 70s green hue. Even with all of the nostalgia this triggers for me, it just doesn’t have appeal in this state of repair. I’m guessing that the one-year only nature of its design means that the needed body parts would need some digging to find.
The door jambs show the original color, it indeed is a medium green.
The 1972 Gran Torino Sport does have a following. But not this worn-out example.
Style points to Bob for spelling “jambs” correctly.
7000.00???? They’re dreamin’
Thanks for listing the price. This writer doesn’t seem to think it’s important to list the price of the vehicle in her articals, but she doesn’t understand that some of us do not have access to Craigslist and Facebook.
Sorry but how do you not have access to craigslist?
A Lein sale implies a loan was given w this car as collateral. Anyone dumb enough to loan against this car deserves to lose all their principle
It’s being sold by a tow yard, so my guess is that it was towed and the owner never picked it up and paid the fees. The tow lot then had to file for a lein title to take ownership before selling it. They are now trying to recover some of their costs.
Their initial asking price of $7,000 and current asking price of $3,500 should both be much higher than their costs. Friend has the tow contract for the city he lives in, a lien is only a few hundred dollars, that’s in California where everything is overpriced, plus labor when they picked it up. Storage fees mount up quickly, but that’s not really a cost.
Steve R
Principal.
This car has been beat up with a big ugly stick.
And the ugly stick broke while doing it!! And there are no keys!!
I’m personally a 72 owner, Ranchero, this poor old girl is singing the blues. But it is a start for one who see’s the potential.
The body is not in terrible condition I’ve always liked the 72 fastback the coup not as much. The worst is the interior, my biggest concern is how much water has flowed into the interior causing unseen damage, like the electrical gremlins stated, that back seat is looking moldy with clear evidence of a water leak. The front seat is just disgusting, they also mention the engine is a little smoky maybe from sitting or likely worn out rings. The body is the best part of this old Torino but still would want to look inside the trunk with all that water leaking from the rear glass. This is a $500 project not for the faint of heart. Or parts car.
Dave in Virginia is correct.
7k? better drop one of those zeros if they want to sell it
Having owned a 64 Galaxie 2 door hardtop, 65 Mercury Comet Caliente 2 door hardtop, 66 Fairlane 2 door hardtop, 68 Torino GT 2 door hardtop, I can only say that Ford lost their way with this gen of Torinos. Just plain butt-ugly.
Jeff Lebowski approved. There is a very nice ‘72 standard Torino coupe, similarly equipped and the same color scheme on my local FB Marketplace and I think they’re asking eleven or twelve thousand.
No Starsky and Hutch comments? And muscle? 351 360 400 460 anything but a 302 pushing that barge please!
Restomod candidate if ever there was one. The damage to the nose is about as far from a “straight” body as it gets. Dave in Virginia called it, this was abandoned by the original owner since he never paid the storage fees, so the tow yard owner is trying to recover his costs. With 45k on the clock it looks like it’s led a hard life, I’m guessing the true mileage is closer to 145k or maybe 245k. This was the first year of body-on-frame Torinos, which lasted until 1979, so if the frame is straight and relatively rust free (no rust holes), this might be worth it. At $3900, it’s still a bit steep, but a good negotiator might get the price down a bit, as the seller sounds like he is motivated to make it go away. A crate Coyote or big block coupled to a suitable transmission would really make this puppy move, and if the frame is straight, it makes the body work much easier, as the frame carries the load, with no unibody to deal with. A good upholstery shop can deal with the seats and headliner. IIRC, new carpet sets are still available for these. Of course for those with big budgets an aftermarket frame is always an option.
I once bought one of these,,, a little newer (76 I think) and a LOT nicer for a 6 pack of beer. It had the factory installed blown automatic. Ford automatics suck.