By 1971, it was evident that the writing was on the wall for the classic American muscle car. Buyer enthusiasm had cooled due to several factors. These included pending changes to emission regulations and rising insurance costs. These were but two factors that saw sales numbers fall significantly. However, manufacturers were still willing to produce models with serious performance potential, and this 1971 Torino GT is a perfect example of this philosophy. Not only is it an attractive vehicle, but its 429 Cobra Jet V8 lurking under the hood means that it can get up and move when poked with a sharp stick. The owner has decided that it is time for it to head to a new home, so he has listed the GT for sale here on eBay. It is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and while the bidding has reached $26,300, this remains short of the reserve. He offers a BIN of $40,000 for those wishing to avoid the auction scene or feel that the Torino is an automotive “must-have.”
The exterior presentation of this Torino is interesting, to say the least. The seller indicates that a previous owner treated it to a repaint in its original Wimbledon White. However, they added Pearl to the mixture, creating a stunning visual impact. The paint that graces the remarkably straight panels is generally excellent. There are no significant flaws or problems, and no evidence of prior accident damage or repairs. The Laser stripes are equally impressive, with no signs of fading or lifting. Rust is always the enemy of cars like this, but the news here appears pretty positive. The owner indicates some minor pinholes in the trunk near the weatherstripping and a couple of small spots in the bottom of the passenger door. Otherwise, the exterior looks pretty clean. The underside of this GT is equally solid, with only some surface corrosion visible on the trunk dropoffs. The trim shines nicely, the tinted glass appears flawless, and the Magnum 500 wheels add a muscular finishing touch to this classic.
The 1971 model year marked the beginning of the end for the genuine American muscle car. By 1972, emission regulations would significantly impact power figures, and performance levels would drop substantially. Our feature car offers potential buyers performance to burn. Its engine bay is occupied by the 429 Cobra Jet V8 that produces 370hp. Those ponies are fed to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission, while the original owner ordered this Torino with power steering. A previous owner has also installed aftermarket power front disc brakes, which are sensible in a car with this sort of potential. Pointed at ¼ mile, the GT should walk through in an impressive 14.7 seconds. To understand how profound the impact of the new emission laws was, we only need to compare our Torino with a 429-equipped 1972 Gran Torino. The same journey would take a relatively leisurely 17 seconds, and this was despite the new model tipping the scales 40lbs lighter than our feature GT. The seller admits that a few original parts like the valve covers and radiator shroud are absent, but the rest of the mechanical components are original and numbers-matching. He mainly uses the car for weekend outings but says it runs and drives exceptionally well.
When we open the doors and take a look around inside the Torino, we are confronted with upholstery and trim that is in excellent condition. There is no evidence of wear or physical damage on the blue vinyl, while the dash looks excellent. It is refreshing to see that the dash pad has not succumbed to the rigors of harsh UV rays because replacement pads can be horrendously expensive. There are no aftermarket additions, and the only flaw that I can identify is some fading on the carpet. There is no substantial wear that would justify immediate replacement, but a meticulous owner may decide that it is worth spending $200 on a new carpet set to lift the interior presentation to the next level. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but the factory AM/FM stereo radio with optional rear speakers should provide entertainment on longer journeys.
Some people will say that numbers don’t lie, which would seem to be true of the Ford Torino GT. The company managed to sell 33,254 examples in 1971, and while that figure sounds respectable, it represented a mammoth 50% sales drop compared to the previous year. However, this looks like it could be a good one for potential buyers considering a Torino GT. It still offers impressive performance without the fantastic V8 being completely strangled by emission regulations. It presents well, and its needs are pretty minor. The bidding has been subdued to this stage, but it would be worth monitoring the listing to see where it lands.
Although I never really warmed to this body style, this one appears to be a very nice one! The next owner should be very happy! GLWTA!! :-)
He has it on FB .marketplace for 37k
Sweet Ride. Bench Seat, Auto On The Column. If it wasn’t for the Magnum 500 and the Stripe this would be a Great Sleeper
These days, it would be impossible for this car to achieve sleeper status in anything approaching stock form. The one Car and Driver tested was a 4-speed with the Drag Pack. It had an interesting ‘compass-style’ tachometer that this one lacks, completed seven to ten miles per gallon of premium leaded fuel, and might keep up with a new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in a drag race.
This is a nice car. I especially like the fade-out body decal that was used on these. I don’t think I’d cough of 40k (if i had it) for one, however.
I love these. But it’s hard to read about them. My dad had a 1970 with a 429 in it. He traded it in for a Pinto in 1980. Because my mom wanted it…
Grant, as you should know by now. Women do that to guys
His explanation was “son, it was your mom or my muscle car.” So probably the right call but still.
That hurts…a Pinto? SMH
Absolutely great car. Beautiful
A GT without bucket seats and floor shifter? No thanks.
The Australian 73 xb Falcon has exactly, or very close to, the same steering column and gear selector indicator. Amazing.
This Torino like a missile, looks fast standing still.
Must have been a garaged fair weather car for most of all those miles.
Could you get the ram air with this hood, or only with the shaker?
In my area, neither AM or FM play what they once did – now just a handful of weak distant ’50s -’70s stations that fade out after a few blocks, & forget about ever hearing ’80s new wave, ’90s freestyle, or even early decent rap again.
Recorded fav music is the only option – preferably using a flash drive.
It always amazed me that people ordered these mid sized muscle cars with top option drivetrains, but station wagon bench seat interiors. Mostly seen in Ford and Chrysler products. Odd.
Family Muscle cars
3 reasons?: drive in movies back then, less weight & less cost than bucket seats
Blue Oval Muscle……….
I had a ‘71 Torino GT with M code 351C-4v. It was a sleeper and many were surprised by the big car HP.
Very sharp, $27,500 now, but reserve still not met.
Drip rail rust issues, pearl paint that will be expensive to repair/blend if rust is more prevalent than it seems, bench seat with column shift, 40k? 25k maybe as it will need metal and paint work to make it right. Marti report available to see if it is a 429 car?
I’m ready to get in, pull up on the shift lever with my left hand simultaneously turn the key with the right… pretty much every Ford with a column shift from that era had this issue after several thousand miles. It would be a good theft deterrent these days!
Nice car but I wonder if it’s really a Cobra Jet? Wonder what the vin says? The engine should have a different air cleaner and valve covers. I also though that all CJ/SCJ cars had to have power brakes. My ’70 SCJ had power brakes but no power steering. I was told that it had to have power brakes but power steering was still optional.
It looks like it has power brakes to me. There is a brake booster behind the master cylinder.
In the description the seller states that power brakes were added by the previous owner. They should have been on there with the CJ package is what I’m saying.
Ended $32,900 reserve not met.
Wimbolton white seems to have a lill brn or tan init. Yeah it’s white but a lill off. Hard to tell ina pic (like here).
Great muscle, tho. I like the tradition (start w/the fireball in ’57 thru Thunderbolt, Gallixy & onto/past this one). To me – ‘bigger cars’ goin fast’. I like the medium/small w/these same engines in many cases ( 3.5/4L OK too).