Ford redesigned the mid-size Torino in 1972, and the Fairlane nameplate had already become just a memory (in 1971). This design would hold through 1976, after which the cars were rebranded as LTD IIs. The seller has owned this ’72 Torino for 25 years and has done a lot of work on it over the years. He/she has finally lost interest in the project, so it’s available here on eBay for someone else to finish. From a garage with a checkerboard floor in Mulvane, Kansas, this Torino has been bid to $10,100 without triggering the reserve.
The seller refers to this as an SCJ car, which I interpret to mean Super Cobra Jet. But none of the places I checked say that Ford ever made one of those, although a souped-up Q-code 351 was offered as a Cobra Jet. Perhaps all the mods made with this car would put it into SCJ territory, normally reserved for 428 and 429 Ford V8s.
We’re told the Ford is a driver, but all the photos are in the garage and parked over/under the car lift. The engine is original, which the seller questions — do the mods still qualify it for numbers matching? It was a 4-speed car, and the seller says that it comes with the sale (a Tremec 5-speed is currently installed). This was a Special-Order vehicle with boxes checked for a police handling package and power windows that still work. Factory A/C was also ordered. The engine has been stroked, so what is the displacement now?
The body is in good shape with zero corrosion. We’re guessing the paint is blue but looks purple (perhaps due to the lighting). Either way, the car needs a respray in whatever color it is. The seller’s photos show a lot of parts in boxes that will be thrown in with the sale. Apparently, this car was already sold, but the buyer bailed on the sale. If this vehicle is a driver in its present state, could you spread out the rest of the restoration?
I’m a big fan of the 1972 Gran Torino. They were such a muscular-looking, sleek, well-trimmed vehicle, with admirable performance. The last of the pre-big bumper cars.
But this one leaves me a bit cold. It must be the hodgepodge of mods, including the color. I do like that it is a manual transmission and has the instrumentation group. A Marti Report would help sort it out.
I guess I think they are just fine in stock or near-stock condition. Maybe the new owner will head that direction.
Have you seen the dark blue 72 Q code on BAT, Bob? It looks like a very nice mostly unmolested car. Judging by the bidding, it seems others are feeling the same way.
I did take a look Mike. Several nice 72 Gran Torinos sold there over the past couple years. The good ones bring big bucks. They have become quite collectible.
The top engines for a 1972 Torino was 400 2bbl (168 HP), 351CJ (248 HP) and a 429 4bbl (205 HP). The 429 was nothing more than a 4 barrel 429, nothing exciting, but the 351CJ was the hot engine back then.
Dixon who is the “we’re” guessing the paint is blue? due to lighting lol
If that’s blue Howard’s a shrinking violet.
If you have a muscle car, paint it with a muscle color! This looks like a color my little sister would paint her car, such as a Ford Pinto, Not a Torino.
I guess you never heard of Mopar “Plum Crazy” paint.
Horrible pics…even worse wheels.
My folks had a 72 Torino in my youth… It was a great car! I suggest paint it back to blue or Henry Fords favorite color and mine deep black.
I prefer to put the four speed back in the car. The car has potential and non rust is a good starter.
FYI: I can hear Clint stating get that purple car off my lawn …. take it to the paint shop :-)
The lift is blue and the car is purple 😏
Is that a collection of high voltage insulators on the wall in front of the car????
Love this year Torino and appreciate the Tremec 5 speed upgrade. The purple paint would have to go and be resprayed with Acapulco Blue if I had it. Warmed up 351 is just fine. Wheels would preferably be Cragars.
Hey folks,
I lived in NH 1970 – 1974.
I bought a 72 Hornet Sportabout in Wild Plum.
If memory serves, Ford offered a color called ‘Purple Finch’ on the Torino in 72.
1st…nice write up Russ.👍. 72 Torinos typically bring about 50g’s if restoration is well done. Six days to go in bidding so will be interesting to see where it falls. What a hell of a garage the seller has. 25 years to work on this? Bob is right….a Mardi report would be nice to have. What a car tho when ordered new!
Dude should’ve built a Mopar if he likes Plum Crazy. Plum Crazy Ford … Ugh
You would think with that much time the interior would be updated to match or complement the exterior. Green and purple don’t go together
You would think with the seller having it for so long he would have updated the interior to match or complement the exterior. As it is now, it’s ugly
Love the one year 72 Torino front end design especially with the sport back.
Equally in love with the 72 Ranchero and the seldom seen 72 Torino wagon . . . there was a one I passed on my daily drive to work.
Done up with a GT package hood, strips and Magnum 500 wheels! Looked hulking and ready to throw down :)
I want to do on of these in Starsky theme ,even though they were the notchbacks.This might me the one
The 72 Gran Torino Sport is the car I’ve been looking for. Without a Marti report I won’t bother to look at one seriously. This would be a good starting point if only I could see that report.
I had a “Q” code 72 Gran Torino same color as the one in the movie w/Black interior and C6 auto! My engine’s valve covers looked kinda like a 429 but was a 351 Cleveland “Cobra Jet” they were flat on top and much wider than what’s pictured here, this looks almost like a Windsor to me! I’d want to see numbers, a build sheet, or something more descriptive on what’s really under the hood before shelling out more than I paid for my first house!
This is definitely not a 351W. If it was the upper corners of the heads would be rounded and the thermostat housing would point toward the front of the car. This is a 351C as the heads are square and the thermostat housing points straight up.
No 1972 SCJ .Typical of someone that knows nothing about these .This car is worth very little as it’s a total mess with a worthless paint job .I really like 72 Torinos but this one I would stay far away from.