It’s a part of the human condition to makes lists. You might have your five favorite albums, favorite movies, and perhaps even your favorite Ford Torinos. For me, that last one isn’t really a list, but a single car—this one. Although the NASCAR heritage of the 1968-69 models is worthy of respect, and the “shaped by the wind” bodystyle of the 1970-71 SportsRoof is pretty cool, I’m a ’72 guy through and through (at least if a Torino were in the cards). Barn Finds reader PRA4SNW found this beauty on Hagerty Marketplace in Mahopac, New York; it’s being sold as an auction with a current high bid of $4,000 (but well over a week left to go).

As muscular-looking as the Gran Torino Sport was, and although it could be optioned to be a true performance car (by 1972 standards), many of them had basic two-barrel powerplants (down to the base 302). This one has the step-up 351 Cleveland two-barrel with a C4 automatic and a 2.75:1 axle ratio (as evidenced by the door tag information and Marti Report). The 351 was not a performance engine in this state of tune, producing 161 horsepower, and the automatic was the only transmission option, as the EPA required each available driveline combination to complete 50,000-mile durability tests for emission components starting with the 1972 model year.

The seller says that this car had the following work completed in November 2025:

Replaced front pads and calipers

Replaced rear shoes and cylinders, replace brake fluid hose

Installed front and rear KYB shocks

Replaced front upper control arm bushings

Replaced rear axle pinion seal

Removed, treated, tested, and reinstalled radiator

Replaced heater core

Changed coolant and engine oil

Replaced air, fuel, and oil filters, spark plugs, points, condenser, and distributor rotor

Unfortunately, the air conditioner still needs servicing, but the interior has been reupholstered and the carpet replaced (although there is apparently a tear somewhere). The Sport has full instrumentation, Ginger Vinyl bucket seats, and a console with a floor shifter for the C4. The dash pad appears to be in excellent condition.

The car is not perfect and the pictures show the Torino’s major flaws. There are a few rusty spots, a few dents, “peeling side stripes,” and this quarter panel shows the damage caused by a blowout in times past. This picture shows the outline of the Magnum 500 wheels and white letter tires, both of which were ordered with the car when it was new (although the tires have obviously been upgraded to radials).

No, it’s not perfect, but this SportsRoof looks like a great driver whose condition wouldn’t embarrass anyone, even if you left it alone; I even love the color: Medium Bright Yellow. The 1973 model looked similar, but I prefer the 1972s more distinctive nose, meaning that it wins…by a nose. The advertisement gives a fairly thorough account of the car’s history, and like Johnny Cash once sang, it’s “been everywhere, man.” Being such an untouched example, however, I imagine it will sell for a solid final bid. How high do you think it will go, and what’s your favorite Torino?