Ford introduced the Torino as a Fairlane sub-model in 1968. Originally intended to replace the Fairlane entirely, the Torino couldn’t quite usurp that more established nameplate in its first years. As the decade of the 70s opened, the Torino was clean-sheeted into a genuine muscle car, with an aerodynamic design far removed from the more sedate ’69 version. A low, wide stance, long hood/short deck styling, and a non-functional hood scoop generated sales success. The Torino outsold the Fairlane by more than two to one in 1970 and was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. In its comments about the car, Motor Trend noted that the Torino offered something for almost everyone, with myriad body styles and trim levels available. A fine example of the upscale 1970 Ford Torino GT – complete with hideaway headlights, rear window louvers, and a 351 Cleveland V8 – can be yours if you’re willing to pony up $32,995 using the buy-it-now option here on eBay. This car is in Akron, Ohio and you can drive it home.
The Torino factory order sheet offered engine options all the way from a 250 cid in-line six to the 429 cid Super Cobra Jet. Both the Windsor and Cleveland 351 V8s were offered, with various carburetor configurations. This car has a “mildly built” 351 Cleveland paired with a C4 three-speed automatic. The seller is silent on the question of originality, and the VIN is not listed. The car does come with original documents and a Marti report, none of which are shown in the listing. The radiator has been replaced with an aluminum version, and the seller promises a file packed with receipts showing parts purchased and work performed. A video featuring a walk-around, a demonstration of the lights working, and the car being driven is included in the listing. It’s worth the four minutes just to hear the 351’s raspy burble.
The car’s undercarriage is featured in several photos, sporting new lines here and there, and modest surface rust. The seller notes that he performed “front end” work – probably suspension but that’s worth an inquiry.
Apparently, the market has gone ape over rear window louvers (it’s always something!) These probably didn’t survive in high numbers, and according to our seller, only 1020 examples were equipped with rear louvers and just the part alone can command thousands. The hideaway headlights are also a desirable detail. Interior photos are not provided, but the seller notes that a previous owner replaced the car’s original bench seat with modern buckets; the bench seat comes with the sale. The paint job is fourteen years old, but fortunately, the cool Laser stripes were replicated back then. The ’70-’71 Torino was a two-year-only design, and values reflect that rarity. Regarding the price of this Torino, a lack of originality and the automatic transmission might justify a discount. What would you pay for this handsome icon of the 1970s?
I own a 70 ranchero. The hood scoops are functional. Wonderful looking hoods and.i can peek at my air cleaner at will. Lol
The hood scoop is only functional if you have the shaker. The regular GT hood/scoop which was very good looking had blockoffs on the back.I took mine off to open them up as many did.
Looks like a nice Torino. Would have been nice to have interior pics and to have the Marti Report. To me the black bumpers look out of place on an otherwise stock-looking car.
It’s a long ways from our family 1970 Torino, which was a low-option four-door. I’m not Jay Leno, I couldn’t persuade my folks into a more ‘interesting’ model.
Yup, I agree about painted bumpers, I think the look ridiculous.
They would have looked better body color, rather than black .
Original chrome even better.
No power brakes? Front disc? Auto on the column? Your right, low optioned, but still a collectable.
My Father had a 71’ Ranchero GT. I took my Drivers test in it, and drove the Stuff out of it! That body style was notorious for rust. I think there might have been 50+lbs of “Tiger Hair” in the 1/4’s and rockers. When he went to trade it in, the drivers door hinges broke off of the cowl and fell off in the parking lot of the dealer!
LOL, Bob. My family also had a ’70 Torino. At least it was the sportier coupe like this one, though a 6 cylinder/auto. It was that metallic avocado green with green interior, bench seats. I remember it was quite the looker.
I’m sure Leno would’ve talked dad into the Drag Pack option SCJ Top Loader with some 3.91,s or 4.30,s with the Detroit Locker, and don’t forget the “Muffler Delete Option” like Leno’s Dad’s Special Order Ford, believe his was 427 FE Powered.
I like it! It screams 1970’s. I like the black bumpers. I’m not sure I’d have painted them myself, but it’s working for me.
Love my Mustangs but Torinos run a close 2nd. For 33G’s & ability to drive home, I would hope the car could make it from Akron (Flat land) to Charlotte NC via I-77, a day’s drive of about 500 miles, with no leaks whatsoever. Tranny doesn’t slip & gas gauge works. There’s also mountainous terrain in Va. & NC. Enuff said. Let’s go!
I think it looks great!! Most photos and video are not up close.
I didn’t like black bumpers on cars that came like that. On this one I thought they were just missing at first. Each to thier own I suppose. But I’d have to budget for getting those rechromed
2V or 4V ?
2.75 gear ⚙️ w the Cruise-O-Matic was std issue.
Cool 😎 Torino.
There is enough of the VIN shown to see that it left the factory as an H code 351-2V.
Hard to get excited about the louvers with those awful, black bumpers.
Strange to see a C4 behind a 351C when my ’72 had a C6 behind it’s much wimpier 351W 2V. Ford did weird things, though.
Many 351s had the FMX auto.
The bigger question regarding those black bumpers is obviously they had rusted and the owner cheaped out versus rechroming or buying repros. It takes a good deal of neglect for bumpers to rust. That begs the question, what about the rest of the car? Time to pull out the magnet and also do a thorough examination of the undercarriage, especially the torque boxes.
It’s possible the owner was just going for that “murdered out” look that seems to be popular among some sub-cultures in the hobby. Personally, if not chrome, I’d like to see them painted body color.
One of my all time favorite cars. My parents had a 68 390 Torino gt. It was my dad’s first car out of the Army.Dad rolled it off the Pennsylvania turnpike near Somerset in 1974. But I’ve always loved the style, it just has always been an appealing car. They replaced it with a car he not so lovingly referred to as the Dodge Fart. Which got replaced 6 months later with a country squire ltd We used to compare the 68 which he preferred or the 70 which is my preference. Eh nostalgia sure does suck. I cant afford to breath it’s exhaust let alone but it but one can always dream
The exterior of the car is a great style but the interior is like grandma’s Torino.
Maybe its just me, but every time I see one of those dime-store rad hoses on a classic car, I just wonder what other short cuts have been taken to date….
cheers,
bt
Short cuts, like painting over the door latches instead of taking the time to remove them before getting the spray gun out.
Personally think the black bumpers give the car an aggressive look, especially in the front. Matches the hood and louvers. Not a Torino fan tbh, however like the looks of this vehicle.
Louvers are OK, unless you get snowed on. Black bumpers look out of place and scream that the owner didn’t have the money for chrome- or wasn’t willing to spend it. Most likely an FMX trans. Column shift, bench or incorrect bucket seats, painted bumpers/ does not = $35K in my book. Still a nice car.
Directions,slam hood extra hard to close because of the extra long radiator hose!
’70 torino wuz one of a doz or less fitted w/true (functional) ‘shaker’ hood scoop.
I actually perfer the later NACA scoop of the 5 varieties. The shaker isa ford design. NACA comes from aero tech’n NASCAR:
https://mycarquest.com/2018/02/naca-duct-air-scoop.html
“…myriad body styles and trim levels…”
our era had something to offer customers (in attempts to draw the $ then. Wages matched product cost closer @ that time). so0O… 6 body styles, 6 motors, 4 transmis…
(notch, FB, sedan, coop, ‘chero, wagon; alluded to (+ addition of both 427 and 428); C4, column 3, 4speed/tunnel mount, c6). A few cars had the cobra motor, fewer had the CJ, and this is one of the 1s that had the even fewer – Super CJ.