1971 Ford Torino

Description

The Torino was Ford's answer to the Chevelle, GTO, and 442, but it never quite caught on the way the GM A-bodies did. On the other hand, it means you can get a heck of a lot of car, machines just like this 1971 Ford Torino hardtop, for not a lot of cash. You still get V8 power, big car comfort, and a muscle-bound look, it's just thousands cheaper. Sounds pretty good, right?

Bright red is never a mistake on your muscle car, and there's a lot more than the asking price wrapped up in getting this Torino to look this good. The long, lean bodywork is trimmer and less bloated than the later '70s versions and it wears the bright red finish rather well. The massive quarter panels are very straight and gaps are good all around. The paint is certainly a newer re-spray, and a proper buff job will give it a deep shine that makes this Ford stand out in a sea of GM machinery. The blacked-out grille looks sinister approaching in the rear-view mirror and it's framed by a nicely finished chrome bumper that adds just enough sparkle to the front end. Out back it has an almost fastback profile, which made these cars a threat on the super speedways of the era, and a white vinyl top gives it a bright look with no surprises lurking underneath.

The white interior appears to be almost entirely original and it remains in above-average condition. The seats in particular are nicely preserved and show only slight discoloration that's probably inevitable after four and a half decades. Black carpets are a great contrast and work well with the black dashboard, which is pretty much devoid of cracks and UV damage. The instrument panel houses a standard array of gauges, including a cool arched speedometer with auxiliary gauges underneath. You'll note that there's factory A/C tucked in there, although the blower motor isn't working but that's a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. The original radio is gone, but that means it's ready for the high-performance entertainment system of your choice and you won't have to undo someone else's hack work to install it. And for road trips, this Torino is hard to beat, with a spacious back seat and a massive trunk that's in absolutely great condition.

The 302 cubic inch V8 was recently tuned and runs superbly. Remember that this is the legendary "5.0" so it's torquey and a lot of fun to drive. The carburetor was rebuilt, there are new valve cover gaskets, and a fresh voltage regulator was perched on the shock tower. The Ford Blue air cleaner and valve covers leave no mistake about the identity of this car and the original decals are still in place, suggesting a car that's led a very easy life someplace warm. It's paired with a C4 3-speed automatic transmission powering a 9-inch rear end, and judging by the seats of our pants, we're guessing there are 3.08 gears inside because it's very comfortable on the highway. The dual exhaust system sounds great thanks to a pair of glasspack-style mufflers and the floors are further proof of a life lived in a mild climate. Flashy Cragar mags are a period-perfect look and are stuffed inside 225/70/15 blackwall radials for a performance attitude.

Affordable fun doesn't have to be some wheezy smog-choked car from the '80s, you can get genuine muscle in the form of this Torino for not a lot of cash. Call today!