1972 Ford Gran Torino Ford 302ci V8 from North America
Summary:
A very good car for someone who can afford to restore it
Faults:
Everything has started to rust. Most of the rust fortunately is the bolts that hold everything that needs replacing.
The rear shocks are totally gone. Just the center support rod for each one is all that's left.
I can't remove the right rear brake drum to repair and put on new shoes.
The radiator support frame is rusting out from under it.
Battery holder box is gone, (rust).
The AM radio works, but needs a new speaker.
The driver's side wiper is in serious need of replacement.
The heater fan motor doesn't work either.
All the rubber gaskets around the doors are shrinking. Not coming loose, just kind of shrinking. I know it sounds strange. It's like they are loosing their shape, but they aren't.
This is all not manufacturing problems. This is from all the years that the car sat up.
General Comments:
This car was purchased new by a 66 year old man when he retired from work in 1972. I have had several of these cars and each one has been very good. The problems with this are the usual things that come from being 30 years old and not being taken care of. The man only drove it in this town and sometimes in the county, or the state (we live next to the state line). It had never been out of this county until I got it. It was only driven to Church, the doctor, the stores and the post office. Most of its life, it was parked in the weather. Never in a garage or carport.
The car has never seen the 100,000 mile mark yet. I have driven this car with the utmost care for 7 months of the past year I have owned it. I knew it was needing some work. I was doing what I could with what I had. I do plan on trying to get it back into shape. The interior doesn't need more than recovering the driver's side of the front seat. The windshield could stand to be replaced. Mostly just the normal stuff that wears out at 60 to 70,000 miles. And of course, the vinyl roof, and then repaint the body. What little rust is on the body is around the bottom of the doors. Especially the driver's door.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th May, 2002
31st May 2002, 14:34
The man who had originally purchased this car, did do the usual maintainence such as changing the oil, and he did replace all, but one tire. The spare. The people I bought it from one year this month, used it and bought 3 more tires to replace the newest ones he had put on it had dry-rotted. I got the closest jack I could find to the original. It is about 4 inches shorter than the one I should have. I later found out that these people have the original jack. They won't let it go. They use it to jack up there utility trailer to hook it on their truck so they can carry the wrestling ring to the armory. And at least I don't have to paint all of the door and trunk jambs. And inside the trunk lid. They polish up very nicely and look as if they were just painted. I wish I could get the exterior to do the same. I have decided that if someone really wants to restore this car, I'd sell it to them. Otherwise, I'll work on it as long as I am able.