The third generation of the Ford Torino began with the 1972 models (having replaced the Fairlane a couple of years earlier). The 1973 editions were little changed with the Gran Torino Sport being the top-line version. The seller’s car has been off the road for 30 years and has appearance issues to be dealt with. After some effort, it runs now but only off an external fuel source. This is a project that could become a weekend warrior after more mechanical TLC and interior work. Located in Barto, Pennsylvania, this Ford is available here on eBay where bidding stands at $3,850 but you can hit the Buy It Now button and part with $8,500.
Torino Gran Sport was the senior Ford intermediate 2-door hardtops and fastbacks built in 1973. Together they accounted for 69,000 cars, with the bulk being the fastback, yet you don’t see many of them around these days. As the story goes, this car spent its first 10-15 years in North Carolina before moving to Pennsylvania in the late 1980s. From there it went into storage until recently when the seller bought the car and breathed some life back into it.
This car was subjected to some amateur bodywork and paint, including both rear quarter panels and a grafted hood scoop. As a result, some of the door line and trunk gaps don’t precisely line up but rust overall on the car is said to be at a minimum. The body stripes are cracked from age, but if you don’t get too close, those things might not jump out. On the other hand, the interior is a mess as some of the panels were removed but saved. Rather than recycle any of that stuff, the next owner would be better off sourcing new interior pieces.
We’re told the odometer reading should be 125,000 instead of the 25,000 it displays. This Ford came with a 2-barrel version of the 351 cubic-inch V8 flanked by an automatic transmission. The seller treated the car to a new battery, carburetor, and fuel pump, plus gave it a tune-up as well. But it won’t run for long periods without the gas tank being cleaned.
On the other hand, the transmission is going to need a rebuild or replacing as there are no working gears. That means the car won’t move under its own power and we’re told new brakes will also be needed. The flat tire in the photo has been repaired, so it should roll okay. Resale value on these cars isn’t particularly high, perhaps because while they look like muscle cars, they’re more show than go. $20,000 might be top dollar for a small-block Gran Torino Sport.
Aw, come on, no mention of the “Striped Tomato” from Starsky and Hutch? How quickly we forget. I know, theirs was a ’75, I think, but it was such a popular show, it laid the groundwork for every red Torino like this, to have a white stripe. It was said, Glaser hated the car and did everything he could to destroy it. I believe, he insisted on bucket seats as he got tired of Soul sliding across the bench seat into him. Clearly before seat belt use was advocated. I know it sounds silly, but Hollywood very much influenced us, especially with the vehicles they used. These were cool cars, but judging by the condition, this person should take the present offer and run.
What absolutely killed the styling on these cars was the huge front bumper. The ’72s were much better looking.
Russ, what Terrry said…
Huge difference (bumper/ grill) between 72 & 73
Looks like a chrome plated guardrail. Ugh🤮
There’s a small car lot a little South of Rocky Mount,VA
that seems to be cornering the market on these around here.More
& more keep turning up there.
Do you know the name of the car lot in Rocky Mount, thanks
My first car was a ’73 Grand Torino Sport. I bought it for $300 in 1987 with 76k miles on it. It had buckets and the centre console. I had a blast beating it to death over the next two years and then sold it for scrap for $50.
That car got 17 year old me into a lot of trouble.
My Dad had one of these and loved it. We traveled from Louisville to New Orleans to Houston to Dallas to San Antonio to El Paso in it on a huge trip through the beautiful western US. After El Paso my Mom took a nap in the back seat and I got to sit up front with Dad. He was cruising down a nearly empty I-10 (if memory serves) at about 105mph when a huge bird (vulture?) swooped down directly in front of us! Needless to say we were thankful Ford used steel in the front end. The bird was obliterated! When we stopped at a motel that evening I remember Dad parking at a weird angle so Mom wouldn’t see the mess before he could was it off.
We carried on through Arizona California (hubcaps stolen in San Francisco) and Oregon (new hubcaps purchased in Portland) before turning East. Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota ( oil change and service in St Cloud) to Iowa, Illinois (love Chicago) Indiana, and back home. The car was awesome and indestructible. No a few years later my first new car was a Ford!
It is a shame so many of these babies were thrashed then trashed. The 4bbl 351 Cleveland wasn’t up to the mighty standards of the 72’s 428 Cobra Jet but still was a great engine. I hope someone buys this great car and gives it the love it deserves!
Yep Fire! It’s gonna need a lot of love.. Outside appearances don’t mean a thing..
$4k now but still did not meet the reserve. Lots of cool toys for sale also.
I bought one of these, When I got out of the ARMY. 351C4V, 4spd. Totaled it not long after. There wasn’t a straight panel, left on the car. I’m still here, because of the full frame underneath. Thank you Ford engineers….