Ford added the Torino to the mid-size Fairlane roster in 1968 – and by 1971 – the nameplate represented the entire line. Named after Turin in Northern Italy, the Torino would be a Ford staple through the 1976 model year. This ’71 example with the “Sportsroof” body style (aka fastback) presents well overall, but you will find some rust in its lower extremities, which the seller believes is easily fixable. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, this Ford is available here on eBay where the reserve is still lurking at bids of $5,600.
When you check out Torino production numbers, it appears the Torino 500 was a one-year model in 1971 (there was a Fairlane 500 before it and a Gran Torino after it). The mid-size Fords received new bodies in 1970, with a much “swoopier” appearance than before, and it would turn out to be just a two-year styling exercise. They were especially slippery with the fastback version, although I always wondered how hard it was to look out of the back window while driving (like with the 1971-73 Mustang fastbacks). Buyers preferred the “regular” Torino 500 2-door hardtop at 90,000 copies vs. the Sportsroof at 11,000 units.
This car looks sweet, although the seller doesn’t do it justice with a lot of close-up and dark photos. Its flaws are apparent when you look at the wheel wells where some rust has eaten away through the metal. Those could be patched, but then you have to try to match up the paint, which appears to be Candy Apple Red to these eyes. The interior has been partially redone with a replacement front seat cover (bench seat) and the back seat has been hidden since Day 1, so we don’t know what it looks like. The dash pad has a typical crack in it.
Under the hood resides a “Cleveland” 351 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission, both of which perform as they should although the seller says the odometer has turned over (100,000 miles). Four new tires reside on the car’s original 15-inch Magnum wheels which look right on a fastback like this. This Ford has spent time as a weekend cruiser of late. Once you attend to the rust, it could probably serve you in the same manner.
Pretty solid Torino, always liked these. My uncle had a blue 70 with the 302 under the hood and these wheels. The price is right for a good “eye catching” cruiser here or if one wishes to restore it you don’t have to break the bank. Best of luck to new owner.
Cool Ford. Love the 351 motor.
2.75 ring and pinion ⚙️ std issue. 3.00, 3.25 available. All are fine as this is a cheerful cruiser, not a barnburner.
I have a 1971 torino gt conv. 351 4 spd. Come and get it!
Super cool Rick 😎 convertible Ford Torino w 4 on-the-floor
I had a ‘71 Torino GT M code 351C-4v Great all around car with power to spare. I still don’t know why this body style wasn’t more popular. I got so many compliments everywhere I went with it.
@Rick Gurreri – Send it in and we will auction it for you!
That’s code B Maroon Metallic,all my Thunderbirds had a variant of that hue..my all time favorite colour(or i wouldnt keep ordering cars in something close to it) :P
My parents bought one in 1971. Light green exterior, green bench seat interior. My dad won an award at Ford for cost savings, and applied it to this car. Out the door, about $50.00. It was a pretty base car, but was a 500. With the 302 and automatic. My brother and I both learned to drive in it. That back window wasn’t much for visibility, had to learn how to use the dual mirrors.
Was a good car. Lots of miles and memories. Lots of rust too, being in southeast Michigan.
I learned to drive on a 71 torino 500 spring edition. Silver black top and red pin stripes. Ac and auto 302. Split bench seat with a stripe in the seat back of red front and back seats
🆒️🆒️🆒️loved the torinos& esp. the gts!!! with stripes & all!!! get the bblock!!!
sharp& 🆒️🆒️🆒️! the merc cyclones were🆒️🆒️🆒️too!!!
Neat, I never knew they made a Torino 500 fastback. If that’s the worst of the rust shown in the pictures, that’s nothing to worry about. Cool car. I had a 70 GT with a 351 don’t ever remember having a problem looking out the back window but then again I was 20 years old. Lol
I only saw the regular hardtop as a Torino 500. There was a halo edition (vinyl top had trim around it with a contrasting bright color with interior stripes to match).
The Montego/Cyclone never got the Sportsroof. Turns out it was less aerodynamic the the formal roof.
By 1977 my moms 71 Blue torino with a 351 2 Bbl was pretty beat up but fairly fast. These are very light cars for their size, would burn the rubber off the passenger rear tire! Was stolen from a mall parking lot and crashed into a parked car! Better get some WD40, the front upper control arm bushings squeak!