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True Barn Find At No Reserve: 1972 Ford Gran Torino

t1

Now this is a barn find! After having been in a pole barn since the 1980’s, this 1972 Ford Gran Torino has recently been brought to light. The seller, who is the third owner, feels that the 46,651 miles are correct. What we don’t know is why was the car put away in the barn in the first place; it doesn’t appear to be due to a mechanical failure. The car is located in Toccoa, Georgia and is up for sale here on eBay, where it started at $200 without a reserve!

t2

This is what the car looked like after being removed from the barn. We can’t really tell a lot from this picture, other than that the roof on the barn could probably use some repairs. Thankfully, the sellers did clean the car up before putting it up for sale. Sorry, I’m not one of those folks that would be willing to pay extra for it in this state. I’d like to know what the heck I’m buying, and it’s not the mud!

t4

As you can see, it looks a lot cleaner in this picture. I would say there’s still some work to be done, though. I think I’d ditch what I think are aftermarket bumper guards on that front bumper; I like the shape of the grille opening on this one and wouldn’t want it cluttered up with those guards. One piece of wheel well trim is all that’s missing–anything else is at least “there,” although you may want to replace some of it!

t3

I applaud the seller for including the under car pictures, and it’s nice to see they are as good looking as they are. While the car has been yard driven off a buddy tank, due to the lack of functional brakes–yes, I like to stop as much as go, and apparently the seller feels the same way–they haven’t taken it any further. However, the description of how quickly the car started up is very encouraging.

t5

I think I would have spent a little more time cleaning the interior, but as a whole it doesn’t look too bad. To be honest, I’m really interested in what it smells like–I refurbished a car that had been closed up “tight” for 12 years once, and even after replacing the headliner and cleaning it over and over again, Febreze was the only solution, and it only worked for about a week at a time.

t6

Under the hood, we find a 351 Windsor with a two-barrel carburetor and air conditioning. My hope is that the fuel system situation can be resolved (I use a local radiator shop/fuel tank shop that cleans and then coats my tanks) easily, and brake parts are readily available–so there’s no excuse for not getting this car back on the road quickly! What do you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar JW

    Could be a decent daily driver if the price stays within reason.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar piper62j

    Not a bad find.. I owned a 74 Torino and liked the ride and roominess with two kids.. It had the 300ci 6 and was grossly underpowered,, but as a family car, it fit the bill..

    This one is nice and I believe it can be a great driver with minimal investment..

    Great find and nice car for the $$

    Like 0
  3. Avatar geomechs Member

    I’m obviously scarred for life; the first words that cross my mind are: “Get off my lawn!” Seriously though, this car looks like it could be a fun project that will become a good driver. It would be tempting were it closer to my home forty.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Are you referring to the Clint Eastwood movie, Gran Torino? Great movie, great car!

      Like 0
      • Avatar geomechs Member

        The same. Although this isn’t the exact same type of car, a ’72 Torino will always remind me of one of my favorite movies. My wife even likes it.

        Like 0
      • Avatar JamestownMike

        The car in the movie was a 72 Gran Torino SPORT. This car is a base model 72 Gran Torino (NOT Sport). The rear quarter window on the Sport is a triangle as oppose to the rectangle rear quarter window on the base car. Is the roof line sleeker like a fastback on the Sport? I don’t know much about the 72 Gran Torino, maybe we can get some people to chime in on the differences in the two?

        Like 0
      • Avatar Jim Marshall

        The Grand Torino Sport was available with both roof lines, sports roof and formal roof. I drove a formal roof model as a demo in 1973.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Giarratana

        He is referring about the movie “The Big Lebowski” starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman ,and Steve Buscemi

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Jerry Long

    Bring a 44 Magnum and a Clint Eastwood..

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Kevin

    zebra 3

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    • Avatar Mike H.

      That would be the 1974 model.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Rando

    Second car my mom owned that I remember was a 72 Torino – just a regular Torino. 351W, 2bbl. Sky blue with high back bench seats, but same color as this one. Car seat for kids? NO WAY. I either stood on the hump between the seat back humps or sat in the front. (single parent – just the two of us). lol. I would LOVE to have this one in homage to that one.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar AMCSTEVE

    Now that’s a barn find!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Brian

    *I think I’d ditch what I think are aftermarket bumper guards on that front bumper; I like the shape of the grille opening on this one and wouldn’t want it cluttered up with those guards.
    Read more at http://barnfinds.com/true-barn-find-at-no-reserve-1972-ford-gran-torino/

    Those are factory bumper guards. Had the same ones on a 72 Ranchero I once owned

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jamie Staff

      Thanks, Brian. I think I’d still get rid of them, though…but that’s me!

      Like 0
  9. Avatar JamestownMike

    FINALLY, a REAL BARN FIND!!…….and a nice one at that!

    Like 0
  10. Avatar JamestownMike

    I’m considering buying the car and would like to take a poll. What do YOU think the car is worth in it’s current condition?

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Blindmarc

    4K would be my top dollar, because there will be a lot of maintenance to do on it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Guess it’s only worth $3,050.33 (ebay end price)?? Guess people really want the Sport roof fastback?

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Jim Marshall

    I had one of these in 73 as a demo at a Ford store I was at in sales. 351, buckets, mag wheels, nice car. The sports roof fastback was more popular and the side laser stripe was a hot item also. It was very close to this one except for the wheels.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      I think I’ll stick with a bucket seat, mag wheel, sports roof fastback, ram air hood and side laser stripe car (just like the Clint Eastwood 72′ Gran Torino Sport car) while their still affordable! Those items really elevate the car.

      Like 0
  13. Avatar Rob S

    72 base model coupe. 351 cleveland engine. Standard interior. This is not a sport but you could get the option on either coupe or fastback. This looks like a decent car! Check the area under the back seat for rust, very common there. Grille and plastic surround break REALLY easily and can be very hard and pricey to find. Rust also grows under those vinyl tops, look at the whole top carefully. Any bubbles under it are the sign. I have a fastback style and love it! Hope somebody here buys this!

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Rob S

    Here is a fastback. ..

    Like 1
    • Avatar Rob S

      Won’t let me post the photo….

      Like 0
  15. Avatar Jim Marshall

    The car from the movie Grand Torino was found on ebay needing only the bumpers rechromed. Clint purchased the car for his collection.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Clint

    That is a 351 Cleveland (look how wide the valve covers are). Very few (and I mean VERY few) 72’s came with 351W.

    A sport option was available on both a sportsroof and a standard roof car. All fastbacks are sports, but not all sports are fastbacks. The Sport package included special (sport) door panels and a scooped hood.

    I’ve owned probably 30 of these cars over my lifetime. I’ve seen some wild combinations (like a 4 door with the full gauge package). Options were plentiful on these cars.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Jim Marshall

    My 73 demo had a 351 Cleveland as did my personal car a 72 LTD Brougham at the time. My 69 LTD also had the 351 Cleveland. My 68 Galaxie had a 302 and it was a dog.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar piper62j
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Wow, that “parts car” is already up to $2,500 with only 4 pics posted! I’d want to see pics of the mentioned rust before bidding any more.

      Like 0

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