Here’s a rare occurrence – a car with a five-digit odometer where the seller isn’t afraid to say that it actually has 190k miles on it. They purchased the car about 10 years ago from a friend who had owned the car since 1991. He had done a ton of work on the car while he chalked up the miles – over 100k of them! The current owner sent it off for paint when they took possession of it, but did not drive it nearly as much – less than 100 miles! Perhaps, that shiny paint made it hard? Now it needs some attention from sitting, but it does look like a nice place to start. Find it here on eBay where bidding is still under $10k with about two days left.
The previous owner not only maintained, but upgraded the car while they drove it. A four-barrel 351, bucket seats, tilt column, and more went in during their ownership. Personally, that makes the car more desirable to me if I wanted to drive it – which I would. Collectors may not like the fact that it’s not as it was when it left the factory though. Either way, this does look like a nice car that will be ready to go after some minor work. What would you do with it though – preserve it like the second owner – or – drive the heck out of it like the first?
Engine decal kit – kick panels – yummy
Gorgeous, and so what if it ain’t as the factory built it. Just enjoy it.
Love it! My favorite Torino year. Drive it until the smile is off your face
Tough call. We had a 1970 Cobra Jet Torino and while it was great fuel for my teenage bursts of testosterone I can’t see using one as a frequent driver in today’s world. I think it’s a really nice car for someone wanting to have a hotrod to play with that could be driven to car shows and weekend runs while still finishing up the minor things that need attention. Nice body, very nice interior with super clean underneath and upgraded mechanicals would make you think that just a little work and you’d be driving. Already at $10k — will be interested to see how high it goes.
Hell, why not drive it every day? Get the minor needs addressed and enjoy the heck out of it. It was after all built to be driven daily. It seems as though the previous owner made some changes to make it more comfortable and usable so would be a shame to just let it sit.
I was in the motorcycle industry for years. It was quite obvious that there are many more motorcycle owners than there are motorcycle riders. Some guys will buy something just to justify wearing the T-shirt and saying “I have one”
I really like this car. I had a 1970 Ford Torino that I purchased from my bosses wife in 1974, who purchase it new. Mine was the same color red with red interior with buckets and console, and had the 302 V8 – 2bbl with a C4 transmission. Not a lot of horse power, but was a great car and never gave me a minutes worth of trouble. This car with the 351, C6 transmission would be even more fun.
Question what is that thing attached to the rear of the transmission and extends out over the front of driveshaft, never seen one of those before.
I say yes fix what needs fixing and drive it and if fuel economy is a problem throw in a overdrive trans.
JW, I would guess it’s some kind of counter weight balance/dampener. Obviously not a moving part and probably got tossed more times then not when someone had to do an R&R transmission repair. I don’t recall seeing that on my 1970 Torino with the C4 transmission. However, I don’t recall what I had for supper tonight either.
I had a 1 of 1 ’71 Torino GT. Still regret that I got rid of it.
Great daily driver! Car has some great lines, front end, and the tach is super cool.
The paint needs a serious wet sand and buff, a lot of orange peel from being shot in a cold paint booth or the reducer was too fast.
The Cleveland engines were not the greatest horsepower producers, and the 4 barrel heads were a dog on the street due to the huge intake runners, it took a lot of RPM to get the air moving across the canted valves. Basically a Ford copy of the big block Chevy as far as head design on a small inch engine.
It would be a great candidate for a late model fuel injected SVO transplant with an overdrive auto or a stick.
Or just drive as is and enjoy, hard to find one in this shape without being full of tin worms.
I had a 1971 Torino very light bluish paint with a black vinyl top. Power plant was a 302 under a 2bbl carb. Reliable and a great looking car. Only downside was the white interior. Miss that car and would drive this to make up for the miles not driven in my first Torino.