Here’s why the Torino is Ford’s forgotten muscle car

In this episode I provide the history of the Ford Torino, which initially was the higher trim of the Ford Fairlane in 1968, but by 1970, it has become so popular that Ford demoted the Fairlane name to a cheaper version of the Torino. The Torino's optional fastback roofline, called the "Sports Roof" proved so good for NASCAR that it was banned from the race the following year. By 1972, a new generation introduced the Gran Torino, which would also be the start of decreasing engine output, and larger federally mandated bumpers over the next couple years, and ended its run entirely after 1976, thanks to Ford trying to move away from performance and more towards luxury. Today, the Gran Torino is most well known for its role in the TV cop show Starsky and Hutch, and later in the 2008 Clint Eastwood movie "Gran Torino".

[life_libertyandthepursuit...]

Thank you for covering this car even though it lived and died in the 1970s.

[johndornoff]

One of the 3 surviving cars from Starsky and Hutch was recently auctioned off. The car had been signed by the actors and included one of Starsky's signature sweaters.
I also turned a Grand Torino into a Street Stock racer.

[kevindalton]

Very enjoyable video. I was an 8 year old kid living in Ohio when the '70 Torino came out. I was obsessed with it. We were a FORD family at the time with a brown COUNTRY SQUIRE.

[chrishenderson]

They did it, they finally covered the dudes car! And it really ties the channel together...

[rayknott]

Please do more 70s car videos this was great 👍🏽

[_Papa]

Again, you have outdone yourself!!! Very accurate, downright complete story of how the mid-sized Torino would de-evolve into the full-sized (oops, I mean "trim-sized") LTD II, which along with it's Mercury counterpart, the Cougar (nee Montego) became the largest and heaviest cars in history ever to be sold by any manufacturer, anywhere, that were marketed as "Intermediate-sized!" 🐰

[bugsshmoney]

you have no idea how excited I am for this. just inherited my grandpas '70 torino with the 351c and I'm in love with it. can't wait to share this video with him

[AlbertTimmons]

Loved the 1972 Gran Torino . My first car . Mine was a gold 4 door with a 302 engine . My step dad had the same, but his had the 351 Cleveland engine . Much stronger than mine and I got to drive his occasionally . That thing literally scared me once when I put the gas pedal down a little too far . It would spin the tires on accident . Mine wasn't weak either . I once drove it at 110 m.p.h. down I-17 in Arizona . I could have gone faster too . I wish I still had it actually . Thanks for the video .

[NotQuiteSteele]

The ‘70 and ‘71 Torinos are some of the best looking muscle cars out of the era - I hate they fell so hard by the wayside.

[Cats_Are_Scary]

I like that you covered the Torino. 1970’s cars are interesting and would be cool to see more on your channel!

[Fabulousprofound]

My dad traded in a little Dodge Colt for a 1972 4 door Torino with a 302 V8 before I was born, thinking the Colt was too small for a growing family. I remember the vinyl seats burning me alive in the summer, a column shift since new that would indicate neutral but was actually drive, and lap belts in bench seats that did nothing to hold you down lol. But what was said here is true. Lots of rust (and this was a west coast car), lots of engine problems, such as the carburetor needing to be rebuilt several times (it liked to diesel after the ignition was off), stalling from vapor locking, and then finally a broken piston ring brought it down. He ended up replacing it with a 1982 Chevrolet Celebrity, hoping for more reliability… and we all know how untrue that would be 😢

[milfordcivic]

There were a bazillion of them on the road when I was a kid.

[theconfusingwords]

I think it’s such a great, iconic classic car. Love to see it get a video

[johnnymason]

This was a great episode. One of my aunts once had a yellow 1973 Gran Torino sedan. I will never forget that car. It was an honor to sit in that car.

[padroooo]

Good Ford video Pat. Getting close to that 100, 000 subscribers I see.

[Hobotraveler]

In Middle School, our new neighbor owned s 76 Gran Torino. Bought new out of High School, he drive it and maintained it well. Unfortunately rust overcame it and he bought a used Thunderbird to replace it. 😊
Awesome car, awesome video. 😊

[cybercrusader]

I own a 68 Torino 4-door. Original from Fullerton CA, now in Thuringia Germany. The Torino is a good looking car and also quite convenient. It got everything i except from a late 60s car. Comfortable Bench seats in the front and back, V8 powered and an automatic transmission. 8 Beer Crates fits in the trunk with the spare tire removed. Good American made car indeed. Greetings.

[wapartist]

So true. I rarely see these anymore even at shows!

[rickloera]

I have always been a fan. My first car was a hand me down 1972 Mercury Montego MX 2 door hardtop that my parents gave me. I loved that car. This was beside my Prius the most dependent car I've ever owned. I currently have a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. It has been a really great car for the past 20 years. The red Torino in the commercial has some funky looking non factory black vinyl top. I prefer the semi halo top that most 72 Torinos had. Beautiful car.

[johnrobinson]

The Ranchero should be a tangent to the Torino WAGON... I had a 73 with 351 Cleveland CJ . Business up front, party in back!