351 V8 Survivor: 1972 Ford Gran Torino
The Torino (named after the Italian city Turin) joined the Ford line-up in 1968 as an upscale mid-size Fairlane. Over time, it would replace the nameplate which had been in the Ford portfolio since the 1950s. In 1972, you could choose from a Torino, Gran Torino, or a Gran Torino Sport, depending on the level of trim you desired. This ’72 Gran Torino, which may be a Torino Sport because of its fastback roof, is available here on eBay and can be found in Daniels, West Virginia for the Buy It Now price of $12,500. The Make Offer feature has been activated. Another cool tip from Barn Finder Larry D!
Ford got a lot of mileage out of the Gran Torino on TV and in the movies. They used several 1974-76 Gran Torino’s in Starsky & Hutch, a late 1970s police show. And an acclaimed 2008 Clint Eastwood movie, Gran Torino, was named after the star’s pet 1972 Gran Torino Sport. Ford would sell nearly 537,000 Torino’s in ’72, on par with Chevy’s Chevelle/Malibu. And the Ford was in its first year of a new design while the Chevy was in Year # 5. More than 60,000 Gran Torino Sport fastbacks were built, and that number should include the seller’s car as no production numbers are noted for a plain Gran Torino fastback.
The seller’s auto looks faster than you might expect. Under the hood is a 351 cubic-inch “Cleveland” V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor. A respectable performer, but not a muscle car. It’s paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission. We’re told the car runs great and no mention is made as to whether it needs any mechanical work. The seller has listed the car on behalf of his father.
This is a solid machine, with no rust noted beyond the surface variety in the trunk. The light blue paint is faded, and some wax and elbow grease might take care of that, although a few little parking lot scrapes will remain. The interior looks quite nice for a car that is 50 years old and has 107,000 miles on the odometer. The top dollar online for a ’72 Gran Torino Sport is $17,000 which suggests a car in Excellent condition.
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Comments
Not a fan if the color but this body style is timeless. If this car is indeed original, worth the price.
Never knew they came with a removal console. Always liked this body style. Not a fan of the half a$$ in front of the tire exhaust, and that trunk is soon going to be a problem. Original grill is gone I’d look it over REAL GOOD For that kind of money.
Bucket seats could be ordered without center console
I always liked the 1972 Torino. Chunky proportions, but the styling still managed to come across as flowing and attractive. The aggressive fish-mouth grille coupled with the almost dainty rear bumper somehow worked too. Make mine a Sportsroof with laser stripes, Magnum 500 wheels, and the full instrumentation, please.
This one isn’t bad but is a bit rough around the edges for the price. Light Blue, another color not seen today.
Does Clint Eastwood come with the car? Anemic motor and carburetor, it’s ok but nothing to get excited about. Don’t like the exhaust either, it doesn’t fit the car.Too much green for what you are getting, poor engine photo and it looks not attended to. Ok car, I do love this year.
There’s a guy a little South of Rocky mount,VA who seems
to be cornering the market on this era of Ford /Mercurys.
Pardon my ignorance but can anyone fill me in on that wagon?? That thing is SICK!!
Those are at Little Mountain Motors,
3713 Virgil H Good Highway
Rocky Mount,VA.
It’s a Mercury Montego.
Looks like a 1973-74 Mercury wagon. The grill is interesting as the cross means it could have been a preacher’s ride?
My favorite body style torino. Does seems pricy
My brother had the same car in Burgundy with white vinyl roof. Was way stronger running than one would expect. After adding headers and 4bbl it was quite impressive.
My uncle N.D.Copley drove one as his race car for several years on the ARCA circuit, and many dirt tracks with a 427 side oiler, also was in the movie Greased Lightning.
I don’t understand the waivering in the drivetrain. My brother had a ’73. The 351C was amazing. As with any Ford of the era the exhaust had to be opened up. The 4bbl police interceptor intake might have been the difference. B
ut it was not enemic in any way. The C3 had 1st gear lockout and it would still bark the tires on takeoff. That said, I’m car-poor enough.🙄
It ought to make some little zipperhead happy.
“which may be a Torino Sport because of its fastback roof” … maybe the name Gran Torino Sport on the front fender gives it away ????
Way overpriced.
Saw one for sale (believe it was a 74-76) about 2 to 3 years ago for around 5K, maybe less, a driver that looked good. Price is steep on this one.
I personally love the ligjt blue color and it brings back memories of 1972. The automatic transmission and bucket seats check 2 more boxes for me. No mention is made in the classified advertisement of air conditioning, power steering and power brakes. The unverified mileage is low for the year but still has passed the 100k mark meaning repairs are to be expected. There is some rust. The seller has only owned the car so is bSically flipping it without knowing how it was maintained in 49 model years. Only a qualified mechanic or body shop worker should gamble on this handsome survivor.
When I was 15 I purchased a yellow one of these for $200 bucks it was hit hard in the back so it was considered totaled. Yes I was only 15 so I wasn’t old enough to legally drive or own a car. I drove it two miles and sold it for $1000 bucks. And this was kinda my start into flipping cars for profit.
Years ago I owned a 1972 Gran Torino station wagon with same engine. It was green with the wood trim
No A/C compressor present, so A/C will have to be added for the ones requiring A/C.There seems to be a lot of “rusty” residue on the inner fenders from a cooling system incident. (Plugged radiator?) So we know that the engine has overheated at least once. Always liked the body style, but these cars are at least 500 pounds heavier than the1971s which were unit body cars. (These are body on frame.) Good reliable solid cars with some style.
I far prefer these to the later ones ,and for that reason ,would buy one to do Starsky Hutch look .I’ve been watching the market casually ,and they don’t come up very often .When they do , it’s 10 grand for a basket case.I think the price is right , if you can live with the color.
The replacement front grill is going to be 4 figures in good condition. Non q-code, lack of options, condition, and color will hold this car back. Otherwise, prime examples have fetched high 20’s in the past. Worth saving for sure.
Too bad Ford didn’t try harder to integrate the 5mph bumpers on later years. 72 is the only year of this body style not ruined by guardrail bumpers.
Just worked on a rare ‘72 Rancheri with Q code 351 C Cobra Jet / factory 4 speed. I love these cars!
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