When Ford redesigned its mid-size automobiles in 1968, the Torino was added as the upscale trim version of the Fairlane. They would redo the vehicles again in 1970 with what appeared to be a vast improvement in aerodynamics. Torino would become the primary Ford intermediate nameplate with the GT being akin to the SS over at Chevrolet. This ’70 Torino has been in the same family since new and appears to be in great shape, though the repaint it received wasn’t the greatest. Located near Great Falls, Montana, this Ford is available here on eBay where $20,500 gets to take the car home today.
The Torino GT could be had from mild to wild, with the 302 cubic inch V8 being standard equipment (as in the seller’s car). But you could check the options box for a 429 if you wanted to move up to the Cobra. Besides having some success in NASCAR, the Torino GT received the 1970 Motor Trend Car of the Year Award. The GT was fitted with a hood scoop, but it wasn’t functional unless you got a bigger engine with Ram Air (so many GTs just looked the part). The Torino GT (and the whole Torino line) may have sold in smaller numbers than Ford wanted, so yet another redesign came in 1972 as the car moved more toward the luxury side of the market. In 1970, Ford built 56,000 GTs as a SportsRoof (aka fastback), but that number dropped to 31,000 the next year.
This GT has been with the same family since Day 1 and was driven to work by the seller’s mother for many years. But he/she received it as an inheritance and only drives it occasionally now, so that may be the reason for putting it up for sale. The odometer reads under 19,000 miles, but the seller suspects it has turned over. The Ford wears dark green paint (looks black), but it’s a redo that wasn’t a quality job so the buyer may consider getting it done right a second time.
On the other hand, the interior is all new and it looks great. Four new tires sit at all four corners and on what may be new wheels. Even though this is a singular family car, record keeping wasn’t a priority, and the seller has few details to share that aren’t already in the listing. But it looks great at 20 feet and performs well, so it’s a car you could drive while you wait to decide what else to do with it.
Although I never quite warmed to this body style, this one looks like a good start for someone; and BOY! do I miss slotted wheels! They really make this car look good! GLWTS!! :-)
The 1970 Torino was not an improvement in aerodynamics over the ’68-69 version. The “scooped” rear window and decklid created lift at high speed. This was one of the reasons the wild King Cobra never made production. No matter what they did to the front end, they couldn’t overcome the low pressure area created by the concave rear window and deck.
Many NASCAR Ford teams continued to run Talladegas on superspeedways while using the non-fastback version of this body style on tracks less reliant upon aerodynamics. Ford brass wasn’t as worried about “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” since factory support was gutted, so running a prior-year body style became a non-issue. NASCAR also began their purging of aero cars by adding weight penalties and engine restrictions.
Most likely was purchased new as a family car/driver and work car. With the 302 was no powerhouse. Nothing performance to see here.
Looks great to me, my favorite Torino style. I’d rather have buckets and a 351 but this would do nicely.
It’s really sculpted well and almost Italian if it was half as big!
FORD’s idea! Slap some cool decals on it to make it look fast. Just another bad idea. Mustangs ruled back then not a Torino. An insult to the Italians.
The Wild Mild.
I guess David Pearson winning 11 races with 42 top 5s in 51 races winning the driver’s champion ship in 1969, qualifies for “some success in NASCAR”.
Ford not interested in wins on Sunday for sales on Monday? I guess you have never heard of a Boss 429. The Torino David drove was a Talladega Torino, made for better aerodynamics. Ford was working on the Torino King Cobra, before NASCAR started making rules against the aero cars.
Ford just slapping decals on to make look fast. You could get a 428 CJ with Ram Air in the Torino in 69. You could get the 429, 429 CJ, and the 429 SCJ in 70.
You tell ’em all Roger! Ya missed one highlight tho. It was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1970 as well. Well worth the $$ if frame is solid being a Montana car. Engines (and trannies) are rebuilt every day if 119,000 miles is correct. Nice piece of history period. Remember it well. Surprised TORINO69 hasn’t commented.
IMHO, This was the best looking Torino body style Ford made. Everyone doesn’t share the same, but each to his own…lol. I had a 73 gran sport with a 351 cleveland and C4 transmission I sold a few years ago, and loved it. In the mid 80s had a 69 gt which was a tank, but would run like a deer with its 390ci and C6 transmission. But the 70 was my favorite, though never owned one. Now disabled and age I no longer can afford or work on any. Whoever gets this one, to me won the prize of the Torino.
Meh. It’s just a poser. I owned a ’70 429CJ Ram Air with a 4-speed many years ago. That was a different story, indeed.
this looks to be a really good honest car and the fact you could get into it for under $20,000. well to me this could be the buy of the week, I would make a few changes and drive the crap out of it enjoying every minute knowing that I’m not buried up side down into it, perfect for family time at the ice cream shop, someone will get a nice classic driver, wish I had some extra cash cuz it would be me!!
302 2v isn’t quite enough to move a car this size around.It needs the torque curve a big block can provide.
I have always believed that this was by far the best of the Torino body styles. By 1972 they had huge grilles, and the federally required 5 MPH impact bumpers killed the appearance of pretty much everything in the 1973-1974 model years.