Listed for sale here on Craigslist is this 1972 Ford Gran Torino. Located in Yelm, Washington, this car comes with a clean title and an asking price of $4,000. This great car was brought to our attention by Barn Finds reader Jack M and we thank him for it.
Cars like this Gran Torino always interest me when I see them advertised. This car has been in the same family since new. I always wonder how heavy the owner’s heart is when they decide to end their ownership of a car after 46 years. This one has been sitting now for more than 10 years and is a project car that is going to require a bit of work to bring it back to life. The photos back the seller’s claim that the car is straight and that the chrome appears to be in good condition. There is some rust under the vinyl roof, but we don’t get any photos to ascertain how bad it is.
Under the hood resides the Q Code 351ci Cobra Jet engine which is backed by a C6 transmission. The seller states that the engine will run if gas is poured down the carburetor. That’s a positive because at least we know that it runs. There’s a lot of work to do here. Since this is a matching numbers car I would assume that the new owner will probably be inclined to undertake a full or at least partial restoration. There are a number of non-original parts under here that would need replacing. There appears to be some parts sitting in the car that I assume will go with the car when sold. Given the fact that this is a one family car, I wonder whether they have retained some of the original parts for the new owner.
The interior is not perfect but I’ve definitely seen worse. It’s really hard to ascertain much about the dash. I’ve magnified the photo and think that there may be a crack beginning in the pad on the passenger side. The door cards and other plastic components seem to be in fair condition. The carpet will need replacing and the front seats will need new covers. It’s nice to see that this particular Gran Torino has been optioned with the electric driver’s seat.
This Ford is most definitely a “project grade” car. There is work to be done, and possibly quite a bit of it. The big question mark hangs over the rust issues. I wish that the seller had included some photos of that so that we could ascertain how bad it really is. We know that the engine runs, but we don’t know how well, or if the rest of the drive-train is operational. Really good ones equipped as this one is are selling for around $13,000 to $15,000. If the rust isn’t too severe and the running gear is okay, then given the fact that this is a numbers matching car could make it a worthwhile project.
First car I seen in a while where the money is right. This could be a great car. Someone like me who does his own body and paint work could afford to restore and not be upside down in value.
What a shame to sell after 46 years! Seems like a son or daughter or grandson or granddaughter or someone in the family would want to continue the tradition, if not now, at sometime in the future.
Clean title, realistic price…sounds like a great piece of history for $4000 This was your “regular guy’s” muscle car 45 years ago. I like it!
Looks to be a heck of a deal to get started in the hobby without draining your 401K. But you need to be closer than me to not have to spend $$$ on transporting it.
Definitely have to look at it. I have spent time in western Washington. The rust will be there.
So many West coast cars of late. Oregon, Washington, California seem to be puking these great finds out in the past week or so. Distance precludes purchase of cars to trailer.
Totally agree, the money is right unless the floors and trunk are gone. It features the least desirable ’72GTS as equipped with formal roof, bench seat, and standard dash, but with the most desirable CJ motor (and rare pwr seat), surely a Marti 1 of 1. It would be interesting to know if this was a laser stripe car, or if the side trim was removed and rivets ground off. Nice to see a deal here!
I have the original stripes still in the box
My parents had a 1972 Torino Sport like
this with the same color which auto shift on column popped out of reverse and went through a barb wire fence and scratched the roof vinyl off and paint after rolling down a slight incline.
Upon repair and years after sale of car ford stepped up to resolve owners issues caused by faulty shifter on column.
Yes they mailed a mini sticker to apply to dash about four inches wide stating warning use emergency brake as car might pop out of park 👍
Yes good ole USA 🇺🇸 ford stepped up to rally it fix with postage and a sticker probably spent a quarter . 😗
Always in a good mood with a great story !
Without a doubt this is a great looking project at a very reasonable price! I hope that one of my barn finds brothers or sisters jumps on this opportunity!
Cool….
I’am not a Ford guy, but this the right price for a cool car. Too bad it’s on the wrong coast for me.
Pretty much the end of an era. The 351 Cleveland was the only big-block /highest displacement available from 71-73 in mustang, torino, cougar. Yeah, they put 400 CID motors in wagons & Lincolns.
Ford has a great resource in “Marti” reports. Bet this one would prove pretty rare.
The 351C is a small block (shorter deck height than a 351W). 1972 (&73) had a 429 BBF listed as optional, although the Q code 351C would blow it away.
The 71 Mustang was available with a 429 CJ/SCJ. 72 the R code 351C was available and 73 only the Q code (R code was 275 hp vs Q code of 266).
The 72 GTS was available with a 302-2V, 351-2V, 351-4V, 400-2V, and 429-4V. Only the 302 was available with the 3 speed manual, and only the 351-4V was available with the 4 speed manual. I’ve never seen a 302 3 speed 72 GTS though.
Always happy to see mid sized muscle from Ford on this site and this one is pretty darn cool. Price doesn’t have my eyeballs spinning either, for a change. As good as it got for the blue oval in ’72.
Mr. Troy, I think that you would look good cruising down the bulevard myself! Heck step out there and buy this thing!
Nice to see a cool project at a reasonable price! These 72”s are getting some attention finally.
My 72 GTS fastback
I ended up buying this car and I’m looking forward to bringing it back to life. Attached is the worst of the rust damage and I’m already thru most of the metal work to patch the damage. The rest of the body is mostly surface work. I do need to replace some bits and pieces like the trunk lid and rear lower panel, but all looks good for a nice restoration. The engine is back to life. So I hope to throw on some rollers soon and see how it runs later this fall.
That’s cool Brad keep us posted on your progress.
Congratulations Brad, that was a no-brainer! I love my GTS, and I’m sure you’ll love yours. Be sure to join the Fairlane/Torino club for support/parts/and shows.