While many manufacturers were either driving nails in the coffin of their muscle models or drastically reducing their fun characteristics, I guess Ford didn’t get the memo that the market was dying before they revamped the Torino for ’72 and introduced the Gran Torino Sport, a top-of-the-line car with a series of fine V8s to choose from, including a big block 429. The minimum engine you could get was the 302, no 6’ers here, but for less than an additional $50, you could step up to a 351 which is how this 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport here on eBay is equipped. This one’s up north in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with bidding now at $3,250 and no reserve, but there’s not a lot of time left so you better act quickly if this seems like a project you’d be interested in.
The 351 here is the 2-barrel version, which made 161 horsepower but by this time HP was being measured in net instead of gross. The seller mentions it’s recently been tuned up and a new battery has been installed, with the Ford said to be in a running and driving state. It’s also got an automatic, but no specifics are given regarding the transmission.
If the patina we were seeing here was on a solid body and just on the surface, I’d be tempted to leave it that way for a little while as the exterior sort of gives off a mean disposition, sort of like it’s saying I just beat up your kid brother. But that’s not the case, as there’s a considerable amount of rust on this one, especially in the lower extremities such as the quarters, doors, and front fenders, plus that vinyl top is well on its way to disintegrating. Fortunately, I’m not spotting much rust in the trim area where the material meets the metal.
Looking inside, the interior hasn’t fared a whole lot better, almost appearing more crisp like the car has set out in the Arizona desert somewhere instead of up in the Great White North. Wherever it’s been, the next owner is in for some upholstery repairs, at least in the front, and a dash pad replacement. This one does have bucket seats, so that’s kind of cool, and there’s even a build sheet behind the springs in the rear.
The area we can view of the driver’s side floorboard doesn’t look all that bad, but another photo is provided of the second half and it’s got some issues, maybe not enough to necessarily merit replacing the entire thing but at minimum, it’s going to need some good patchwork. or maybe just bite the bullet and install new a new floor pan and be done with it. I like Ford’s ideas for the ’72 Gran Torino Sport, and if you’ve got the skills to restore this one I could see a nice ride in your future, just know there’s a significant amount of rust to be dealt with. Do you think this car is worth the effort?
Get off my lawn
Looks like it was on the lawn for many years!
Trusty rusty.
This car has the tin mites all over and inside the doors coming out. The hood is coming out too. Needs pans, quarters, interior, top and emblems plus much more
Its like a margarita dipped in salt 🧂.
The engine likely is loud as exhaust pipes are ate up causing the blow-by noise.
I would pass as this body is unpredictable in rust appearing at any time.
There must be a new magic rust removal method that few are aware of, as it doesn’t seem to be deterring bidders of many of these cars, and I recently got thrown out of three body shops practically on my a– when I wanted a small 4″ x 4″ rust spot fixed on my Lexus RX300. Amazing how fast technology is moving!!
R.I.P. Jimmy Buffet
I had one of these it was alot of fun this car’s not too bad just don’t take it seriously would be great for towing a boat to the lake
“It’s gonna take time & a whole lot of money” as the old song goes.
A whole lot of precious time.
To do it right.
Break out a few cans of Rust-Olium boys 😉
Was that accidental or are you quoting George Harrison on purpose?
George Harrison by way of James Ray, the original recording artist.
Neither really. It was just applicable to this car. And yes” Little Car”, James Ray was the original back in 1963 or so. Thx for alls interest.
EGADS, to think of the nice ones we used for Enduros and derbies. I personally had a 75 with a 460 that had the Starsky and Hutch stripe that I used for a derby. This car here would have gone right into the press at one time without any thought given to it. like Christine to 58 Plymouths. These are riding the Gran Torino run, otherwise this would be in a row at the U pull it.
Unless you have the time, tools and mad skills to do all of the rust repairs yourself, you’ll never get your money out of it. If you have all of that, then you might just break even, but if you don’t have any of those attributes in your toolbox, you’re better off passing on this one and looking for a cleaner example. I don’t have any of those attributes, so I’ll take a pass, thanks anyway! If I had a weak moment and actually bought this bad boy, I’d lose the vinyl roof as part of the restoration process. Just pray that the frame is intact and hasn’t also been attacked by the dreaded “tin worm”! The good news is that the 1972-76 examples are body-on-frame construction, the previous generations are unibody cars. 1976 was the last year for the Torino, but the Torino lived on after 1976 in the LTDII, Ranchero, T-Bird and Cougar until 1979. Source: Wikipedia.
On the other hand, this could be a fantastic restomod candidate. Repair and repaint the body in either Starsky and Hutch or Gran Torino colors, put an aftermarket frame under it with an IRS setup, install a crate 460, 572 or Coyote with your choice of automatic or manual transmission on that frame, and have fun blowing the doors off of lesser “Malaise Era” iron, LOL!
This car is local to me , and been on the market , for 5 grand , forever .
I am a multi brand collector /builder and would love to “Starsky ” this exact body style , the 72 Fastback .I realize its the wrong year and the real ones are notchbacks ,but hey , it’s my vision.As everyone else says ,this one is too far gone .Waaaay too far gone .
A neighborhood kid had one with a 429 in high school. Jumped on it and rolled in into the woods. He wasn’t happy.
They never did anything for me.
Invest a lot of time and money and enjoy the hell out of this lead sled. It’s alive at a time when it’s value is going to start escalating and the buyer hopefully knows it’s going to be a labor of love. I own a 72 Ranchero and when I got it I didn’t care what it cost I just wanted it! Since I have used it as a shop truck and a go getter. I put a built to death 460 in it and it turns heads everywhere and it’s in the same shape as this one body wise. Good luck to the new buyer and have fun, I do!
Lead sled? Hardly. Simply iron oxide, no carbon steel or aluminum on this hulk, much less any lead left to speak of!
Drain the fluids and push it into the sea.
I had a 73 that was in a little better condition but about the same amount of rust. I paid $300 for it in the mid 80’s. The good part was that it had the 351 Q-code motor and a 4-speed. Traction-loc, A/C, Tach, and just about every other option. It was a fun car to drive, and I didn’t have to worry about where I parked. Amazingly, it had over 256,000 miles on it and had never been apart. It even had the factory dual exhausts and would burn rubber up into 3rd gear. I got it when it had low miles on it so I knew the history of the car. Bad part was that I had to put oil in it about as often as gas!
SOLD for $3,250.