1972 Ford Torino 351 Windsor

Summary:

Crude, but simple, rugged, and effective

Faults:

Head gasket blown twice.

Engine rebuilt once.

Heater core replaced once.

Stock radiator was a joke, way too small.

Brakes replaced many, many times.

Replaced card twice, rebuilt car twice.

U-joint broke once.

Parking brake cable broke at about 310,000 miles.

Rear springs sagged after 20 years, replaced.

Really almost everything replaced at least once except the transmission.

General Comments:

First the good.

The automatic transmission is amazing. One fluid and filter change in 32 years of service with 320,000 miles! That's it!

Car is strong. It's been hit hard by many other idiots in modern cars. It has totaled two cars and damaged at least three others with much less damage to itself.

The 351 Ford V-8 is a great engine except for gas mileage. Good power at all RPM. Parts easy to come by even today. Easy to work on due to simplicity and huge engine bay.

No smog checks required.

The Bad.

Terrible bad weather car. Side and rear vision is zero due to fogging. Rear/side vision is always terrible due to huge side pillars. A small car can be invisible in that huge blind spot.

Rear end fishtails like mad in wet weather.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th November, 2004

7th Sep 2006, 05:48

I think the 1972 Ford Torino is a beautiful car and my aim is to purchase one. The 1972 seems much better looking than its predecessors or the models which came afterwards.

I think what makes the car beautiful is the fish-mouth grille because it makes the car look unique. Secondly, the sleek fuselage styling which was the ubiquitous design for cars of that era is made the car good-looking. Fuselage being characterized by a long bonnet and short deck.

The 1972 Torino with close scrutinization, does resemble the Jaguar E-type due to its long bonnet, low body and short deck.

Sadly, there are not many 1972 Torinos left today since most have been sent to the crusher. The reason is because the 1972 Torino is not a collectors car like the Camaro or Mustang due it being a bread and butter mid-size car.

However, with sufficient luck, I will find one, my price range is up to $15,000 and for that money, I am sure I can find one in excellent condition.

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1976 Ford Torino Station Wagon 351M

Summary:

This car was a good friend and it is not dead it is being restored by someone who will love it

Faults:

The car was underpowered for its engine size.

The interior was small for the size of the car.

The car developed rust even though I oiled and waxed it to death.

General Comments:

This car is the best I have owed it went on and on.

It went on many long vacations and never let us down.

In the end it cost me approx. $35 a month to drive it for 8 years.

There is no recommendation of purchase here, and if you drive a 1970s North American car you will be very aware how good modern cars are.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th August, 2004

10th Jun 2005, 00:09

I own a 1975 Gran Torino wagon. I recently purchased this car, which is exactly like my very first car. It looks, and runs very well, considering it is an all original 30 year old car, with 120,000 miles on it. I am looking forward too many years of driving pleasure from this 70's tank. All of the comments you made about this vehicle, are right on the money.

1971 Ford Torino 500 Wagon 351 2 bbl

Summary:

The Family Trekster

Faults:

Nothing aside from the basic tuneup and typical replacements ever needed to be done to this car. It started easily in the coldest of winters and the air conditioning would readily freeze out the occupants on the hottest summer days.

Rust did eventually claim the lower body panels, but such holes were handily fixed in fine student fashion with duct tape and spray paint.

Years of vacations with kids never wore the carpeting out or marred the thick vinyl seats, and the hood still shined like new the day it lost out to a skidding dump truck.

General Comments:

This was a large family station wagon built before strict speed limits and unleaded gas, and before a full tank became a valued commodity.

The stout V-8 engine sucked gas at a steady 12 mpg, rising to 15 on the freeway with favorable tailwinds.

The rear seat would fold down to engulf stacks of lumber, cases of beer or a small deer from the side of the road. Nothing was too much for it to handle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2004

4th Feb 2008, 16:54

My grandfather owned a 1971 Torino 500 2dr with a 302-2v. That car was reliable and went 160,000 miles untill grandad could not drive anymore. It was in need of paint, body work, and an exhaust system and sold to a young guy who was handy with cars. I would not be surprised if the thing was still running today.