I don’t believe I’ve made clear just how much of an advantage living on the West coast is when it comes to car spotting, but suffice it to say, those of us who live in California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia are far more likely to see a car like this Gran Torino, shrug and simply walk away without taking photos. That this car has survived apparently indifferent care for over forty years only to appear on an otherwise unremarkable rural used car lot marks it among the toughest of survivors.
About 52,000 of these Sport Fastbacks were sold new out of a total of almost 497,000 Torinos. That’s over ten percent of a widely distributed Ford’s sales, but over fifty states and forty-one years, that total dwindles. This is, however, among the more desirable Torino bodystyles, from the era when the coupe was king in the intermediate market. Despite its musclecar holdover styling, however, the new Torino was the leader when it came to tranquility. While formal Gran Torino (including Brougham) hardtop coupe sales remained in the 100,000 unit range throughout the midsize Ford’s 72-76 production run, the 1974 introduction of the Elite resonated strongly with American tastes at the time, leading to the effective replacement of the fastback body by 1975, when it sold only five thousand units to the Elite’s 123,000. Yikes–talk about a rapid change in preferences.
All of that would make this particular car a pleasant sight for Torino cognoscenti but as is evident, it’s seen better days. Now, if the frame is somehow solid or at least easily refurbished (not likely), this could make quite a good buy for the midsize Ford lover, as long as the dealer is sane.
If not, however, a potential buyer could find many a solid basis on which to bring down the price. As this interior shot reveals, this was one of the period’s nicer instrument panels, but a bench seat and manual windows show that the original buyer of this most specialized of Torinos didn’t spec-out the car as lavishly as was possible.
If the condition of the exterior panels is to be trusted, a vinyl top wasn’t part of the deal either. If so, kudos to the person whose restraint is to be rewarded; the fastback provided a stylish roofline without forcing the addition of extra trim.
With the new for ’73 bumper and front end, however, deliberately formal embellishments made sense. This car is therefore very much a transition car; its fast flanks bear the mark of their late ’60s conception, but the bumpers, long model name and declining popularity announce the superincumbence of Brougham on the aspirational midsize market. I can only hope that whoever buys this survivor realizes its space in the long history of the American intermediate car.
Related reading:
Car Show Classic: 1973 Ford Gran Torino – Self Esteem Issues
A high school friend had one of these fastbacks, possibly the ’73. Friends of my parents had the ’72 version from new with the color fade stripe down the side. It seemed quite sporty in my world dominated by full size GM stock.
This one looks like a goner. The dealer is an optimist.
Although the Gran Torino Sport continued from for the 1974 and 1975 model years, the fastback version was only available in 1972 and 1973. Also note that the 1972-73 Gran Torino Sport could also be equipped with the conventional formal roof that the typical Torino and Gran Torino’s came equipped with. For 1972 and 1973 the fastback Gran Torino Sports vastly outsold the formal tops. For 1974, the Gran Torino Sport lost any of it’s distinction, and basically only included a couple of emblems, sport mirrors and distinctive upholstery.
This 1973 Gran Torino Sport is too far gone to save in my opinion. It looks like it’s had a hard life. My guess if the body is that rotten, the frame is probably not far behind. It’s a parts car at best, and I am not sure how many usable parts are left.
When I vacationed in BC about 10 years ago, there weren’t that many old cars running around. Some of the ones that I did see had this kind of rot, which is different than what I find in the rustbelt. I presume it’s because the high humidity and day/night temperature swings causes condensation to form on the backside of body panels wherever there isn’t good air circulation. The rust starts on the backside of the body panels, so the car would look good until pinholes appear, at which point the metal is tissue-paper thin.
Brings back memories of my first car:
Not just a Gran Torino Sport fastback, but a Gran Torino Sport sports roof! I will forever wonder why a company who called its fastbacks “sportsroof” would use “Sport” as the name for this trim level too.
There is really nothing about this car that appeals to me. And this from a kid who was really into Fords at the time. Fords like these caused my eye to wander to Mopar.
Gee the kid Clint gave it to didn’t take care of it like he promised.
These look fantastic as ’72 models, with the pointed fenders and “mouth” grille. The restyled ’73 front clip is too baroque for the fastback/sportsroof body, in my opinion.
Regardless, it’s good to see one in good shape. This one…not so much in good shape. It may not be terminal but it’s probably beyond economical with the amount of panel replacement that would be required. As has already been said, probably a parts car. Though it could be fun to hoon a bit until something falls off or breaks…
I agree, the 1973 front end never worked well with the fastback roofline. 1972 was much nicer looking.
Wasn’t the 1972 Gran Torino front end a one-year endeavor? If so, sure seems like a lot of specialized tooling for just one model year.
But, yeah, it’s the last good-looking Torino.
the new for 73 bumper mandate had a lot to do with the 73’s ugly mug.
Yes, it was a one year only front end and was changed to meet the new bumper requirements. All the sheet metal from the fire wall forward is 1972 only. The frame ends were also altered for the new bumpers. I never understood why Ford didn’t at least try to reuse the hood and fenders. On top of that the 1972 front ends are made up of quite a few parts that made assembly and sheet metal alignment difficult,
Also note in 1973 there were new brackets for the rear bumper which spaced it out further from the body and a rubber pad was added to meet the 2.5 mph standards.
Yes, it was a one year only front end and was changed to meet the new bumper requirements. All the sheet metal from the fire wall forward is 1972 only.
And then the front was changed again in 74 to get the more upright “formal” grill.
Also note in 1973 there were new brackets for the rear bumper which spaced it out further from the body and a rubber pad was added to meet the 2.5 mph standards.
The uniform bumper height standard did not go into effect until 74. The 72-73 rear bumper was several inches higher than the front bumper, so it was just right for caving in grills. My mom had a 72 Torino and was hit in the rear by a girl driving a Mustang while applying makeup. The Stang’s hood slid up mom’s trunk lid several inches, while her grill was caved in as the Stang’s bumper hung uselessly below the Torino’s. All the Torino got out of it was a few scratches where the hood slid up the trunk lid.
Here’s a later model with the lowered bumper
I had the same misfortune when, as a teenager, I rear ended a 70-71 Skylark with my 67 Galaxie. Add in brake dive, and I got a badly mangled hood and grille out of it. The Skylark got a nickle-sized dimple in its bumper.
I rear ended a 70-71 Skylark
Yup. I hit the back end of a GM intermediate of that same vintage. The GM’s rear bumper hit about 4-5 inches above my bumper. Not a scratch on his car. My 70 Cougar came off second best. The ends of my front fenders were cast metal, one was dented. The bottom of the nose on the hood was, lucky for me, a bolt on cast metal piece as it and the grill piece in the hood were both broken, A gob of filler in the dent on the fender cap and a spritz of paint solved that. A new bottom piece and grill for the hood center and another spritz of paint and I was done.
I purchased new a white one , 1972, formal roof. Loved the car , but 30 months into a 3 year loan the vinyl roof started bubbling and rust began eating through the trunk lid and door sills, then the front seat back broke. I still miss the car , but it was not a great car by any measure. Killed me on Fords. Never shopped a Ford since.
The 72 would be #1 for me, but I’d not turn down a 73… I’d just never look at it head on!
Altho I like Gran Torino Sportsroofs I prefer their Mercury sister:
Ah, yes, the 1973 (Gran) Torino interior. I remember it well–my parents had a stripper ’73 Torino wagon, with vinyl seats that would adhere to your legs in the summer. Not a great car, sort of a POS actually, but we had it for about eight years IIRC.
The lack of power windows and maybe A/C also perhaps contributed to the survivorship of this “keeping it simple” car. I do like the crown and 3 kitty cat emblem on the grill. Is that Torino specific?
The LTD’s also used the three lions on its crest. That Gran Torino Sport emblem was not used in 1972, only 1973-1975.
This car has AC, and the grills in the doors indicate that it once had factory FM Stereo.
Would you believe I saw a burnt orange Gran Torino WAGON in Rockford on Saturday? I would’ve stopped, but I was on my way to the LCOC show and was running late. Also, it was parked at the police station, and I thought a guy taking pictures in that context might not be wise. It looked like The Dude’s wife’s car–if he had been married!
Looks like how 72-74 Gran Torinos appeared in early 80’s Chicago climate. Rusting away, but still puttering around town.
Too far gone for me and not a patch on a 68/69 Torino.As a Ford fan they made some ugly brutes in the 70s but so did the rest of the US car makers.
Keith or Aaron could easily make a show winner from this in their lunch break!
While in the Navy in the 70s, a co-worker had one of these…a 72 in gold but with a parchment/off white vinyl roof. It actually looked pretty good for that time. His also had manual windows but being in Florida it must have had A/C. He added bigger wheels/tires to the rear axle to give it a bit of a raked look.
Another friend had an Elite. That was painted in the metallic brown/root beer with a pumpkin colored vinyl half roof that most first year Elites were painted and was a notable car (to me) for having a factory “radio delete” panel where the radio SHOULD have been.
Two cars that were basically so similar but were aimed at different demo groups.
For some reason, the well of my dislike for Torino’s has not had the bottom discovered. The fifth picture down looks like an 8/5 Pinto with a swollen ass. This is coming from somebody JPC called a “Ford Homer”.
This poor thing needs to be put out of its misery.
my same thoughts.
I’ll take a 72 Torino, but thats the only year I like of these cars.
We had a neighbor that had a 72 GT sedan and even it was pretty mediocre compared to our 76 Malibu Classic sedan. The Chevy seemed more modern and airy compared to the coke-bottle Ford and its nasty habit of overheating.
My parents had a base model ’73 Torino. Mechanically it was bulletproof, although it slurped fuel to the tune of 12 mpg regardless of how it was driven. They put 123,000 miles on that puppy by 1981. The upside is that the car was a nasty brown so the rust it accumulated was the same color as the rest of the car.
Jerry claimed the Torino got 11mpg no matter if it was driven at 30mph or 130mph. The 351 would overheat in the summer if the A/C was on for more than 10 minutes at a stop, I think it only had 90,000 miles on it when they got rid of it in 1987. He traded it for a 1988 F-150.
It was a rust brown/gold color as well, with fender skirts! it was quiet and smooth riding, but even under his careful watch, it was a mess.
While the 1973 Torino isn’t the best styled car, this example and the photos certainly don’t do it any favours. Compared to most of what Ford pumped out in the 1970’s, it could be a lot worse.
Here is a better example, follow the link for more shots:
http://barnfineclassics.com/storedev/inventory/1973-ford-gran-torino-sport-barn-find
One thing I think was an improvement over the 72s was that horizontal rubber strip added to the rear bumper between the taillights. The rear always looked weak on the 72s to me, the 73s with that somehow made it look more complete, even if it was a mandate. Too bad the front treatment was so clunky.
Can’t see any reason to save a 73 Torino. The Torino did not benefit from the 5mph. bumper look. The 72’s looked far better IMO. These Torino’s were rust buckets to the extreme…only Chevy’s Vega seemed to rot faster than most any ford from the 70’s. Same for the trim and interior………not much to love. Some how Ford managed to cook up a recipe that gave us a clean , sharp , nice riding car, but only for about 30 months. Then , everything went south .
When I was a kid I remember one of our elderly neighbors drove a Model A. It had a patina similar to this Torino, and while it was unusual to see Model A daily-drivers in the sixties, it wasn’t really exotic. At the time, that A must have been about the same age as this Torino is now. So ask yourself, is there really no reason to save this car? One decade’s clunker is another decades classic …
A lot of the blame needs to be aimed at the government. The 5mph bumper BS was a fiasco from the get go. They added weight, destroyed looks and really didn’t help at all.
This looks like your teenage daughter’s dirtbag boyfriend’s car circa 1984. (no offense to anyone whose first car was one).
THIS is the condition in which I imagined Christine to be when I read the Stephen King book before the movie came out. Like what she looked like before Arnie Cunningham came by.
These cars had serious issues with rear wheelwell rust it seems, my would-be first car was a 76 Cougar and it had a very similar overall appearance to the feature car, not just in being platform siblings, but color, condition, stance, even the missing trim. Perfect first car, I still occasionally regret going the “practical route” with a 90s car, these 70s Fords just have a unapologetic “don’t f*ck with me” look to them.
As long as the frame is intact, one can do wonders with a cutoff wheel and tig welder 🙂 .
While I may prefer the 1972 front end I’m just glad they’ve used the same rear end as the 1972 model, I did not like the 1974-76 taillights at all, I always liked the 1972-73 Ford immediate’s more than the earlier Ford immediate’s.
I used to think the fastback styling lasted into 1974 because I seem to remember seeing a fastback model with the 1974 taillights
It’s a shame it’s a 2-door; that 4-door would be a perfect prop for a Lebowski Fest, as the Dude’s car was also a ’73 Torino. Its rough condition, inside and out, make it perfectly Dude-like.