14th Sep 2006, 13:33
I love mine. I have a 1972 Gran Torino Sport with almost all original parts. Sitting at only 89,000 miles, the body is still in... well only decent shape.
I've put quite a bit of work in it already, didn't have a lot of luck with the carburetor when I first got it (351C 2V), so it's got a new performance intake and 4bbl carb from Edelbrock.
It's in desperate need of an exhaust, since it's not getting too much air in, and not enough OUT. Common mistake I see in a lot of cars nowadays. I did have a "quick fix" and cut the old muffler off, and put a shorter one and a dingy fake Flowmaster can on it, providing SUPER sound, but it's in need to go DUAL and some headers.
The C4 tranny is in decent shape and needed the fluid changed BADLY. It didn't want to stay in gear at first, and has a harsh shift to reverse from park.
Rust is slowly taking the car over, but I'm working on rectifying this.
The dash pad is cracked, and the door panels need some loving.
Handles like a battleship, so the suspension has quite a bit of sag, and the 14 x 6" wheels are a joke, so those are going to be upgraded very soon.
I love the car though; it was given to me by my Grandfather when he passed away in 03, and since I was only 18 years old at the time, I didn't really have a lot of money to just sink into it, so I'm starting to really convert the car into a much better ride. Doing a resto-modification. For those who aren't familiar with this, it's a restoration mixed with some modifications. Small upgrades that hop it up to keep up with nowadays cars. Examples are bigger, better brakes, bigger wheels and wider tires. Upgraded radio, since the simple AM radio just doesn't cut it. I'm not going crazy with it, but the single speaker is making me sick to my stomach, so I wanna throw some SMALL, maybe 6" door speakers in and some 6x9's in the rear panel. BTW, that was replaced.
The tires are dry rotted, and money prevents me from replacing those yet, so it'll just be a full tire and wheel replacement.
RUST, RUST and more RUST under the blown radiator. Only engine problems right now are it has a blown head gasket and valve stem seals need to be replaced. All else is looking spiffy!!!
www.cardomain.com/id/chris72foru if anyone would like to check the actual vehicle out!
25th Sep 2006, 06:51
Hey, I'm the guy who wrote the original review. All I can say is I still have my '72 Torino, and last week when I drove it, three different cars full of people stopped to talk to me about it, and two of them wanted to buy it! Definitely buy or hold onto these cars, because there are not many like it left on the road these days! In fact, Hemmings Motor News had an article about '72-'72 Torino in their March '06 issue.
I agree the '72 model year is the best looking to me, since it doesn't have those huge, ugly, heavy, shock absorbing bumpers. Plus the horsepower gets less, and the weight gets more the "newer" the car is.
Ya, the stock Ford carb isn't the greatest, so I replaced mine with an Edelbrock. My dash cracked, too, but I live in Southern California and it gets hot here in the summers. A lot of Torino, mine included, seem to rust right behind the front and rear wheels. If you can afford it, Edelbrock make some nice aluminum heads for the Windsors.
I had to replace my springs, too. 30 plus years of supporting a heavy, cast iron V-8 is enough to compress any springs. I bought a '73 Thunderbird with a 460 CID engine, which I stripped for parts for my Torino. I swear when I pulled the engine on that monster, the cars bumper rose almost to the level of my nose without all that weight. Try moving a C6 tranny by yourself someday!
You can definitely upgrade the sound system in these cars easy. The sheet metal is already cut for 6"x9's in the rear deck, and 6 1/2" speakers in the door.
Check out my car at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/524422/1972-ford-torino and you can see what my car looks like with all the modifications.
31st Oct 2007, 08:36
Hi, I'm the original poster. No, I've never heard of a stock Ford high stall torque converter in a C6. But, ask the experts here; they are GREAT: http://www.network54.com/Forum/260730/
I've never heard that parking your car over a rubber mat will help prevent rust, but I can't see how it would hurt, either. Since it sounds like you keep it in a garage, that's a darn good start!
I still have my Torino, and it still draws lots of attention when I drive it. I've actually put a bid down on a S&H replica Torino, but I don't know it I'll actually get that car. In my opinion, and this is far from scientific, my '72 Torino is a much better car than the '76 I'm thinking of buying. The '76 is significantly heavier, with the shock absorbing bumpers front and rear, and the power B.S. Also, the 351M engine it had felt totally gutless due to all the extra smog crap - of course it was a totally stock engine with 100,000 miles on it, too. The car handled like crap, but I think that's due to the rear being jacked up so high you can't see out the rear window. It sure looked cool though!
14th Apr 2008, 12:56
I'm one of the original posters about the 1972 Gran Torino Sport. I'm doing some reconstruction on the vehicle just here within the past few months. The 351C motor has been pulled and a new 650 4bbl Edelbrock carb and intake manifold has been installed, new points, plugs, wires, and radiator are being installed in the process. I'm having the hardest time with the radiator support being rusted out. Can't find any others that have it too. So, new battery was put in a we're doing some welding to get it sitting pretty. I have new carpet to install and the seats have been pulled out and the carpet is ready to go in. Looks super! I just need some floor padding to reduce noise and install the new fan for the A/C & Heater.
18th Jun 2008, 14:23
I have a 1972 Ford Gran Torino in excellent condition and I love it so much I bought a 1975 Ford Elite, akin to the Torino. Best the two cars of my 13.
Mary and Sam
Sweetwater, TX.
17th Aug 2008, 20:55
I would have to agree with most of the comments except for the one about being able to purchase two or three show cars for your 15K budget. (I wish it were still true, but, I seriously doubt it.)
I would also like to point out that the handling characteristics of these cars, while crude by today's standards, was very much on par with the technology of the day in 1972. I owned a 1973 Torino with a 352 W, but, I don't think anyone ever referred to it as "gutless" while I owned it. However, it was probably not quite stock, either. Not only are these cars built like battering rams, they have nearly bullet proof drive trains that can be easily modified ("tuned") to suit the needs of the owner. For example, if you are unhappy with your gas mileage, install a slightly higher rear end, and go easy with your right foot. If you are more inclined to want performance, go with the original, or even a lower geared rear end, different cam, intake, carb combination until you are happy with the overall results. As was pointed out in the original review, these cars are easy to work on, even if you don't own/have access to a lift. (No engine computer diagnostic system is required, either.)
Even though the prices are not quite as low as one reviewer implied, you can still find decent examples at reasonable prices. However, as rare as these cars are becoming, I would be reluctant to use one as my daily driver. (Technology has really come a long way since 1972 for a daily driver. I find that I really appreciate the creature comforts that come with more current models, not to mention the general improvements in overall reliability, drivability, and economy. But, most of all, parts and sheet metal are much easier to come by for later model cars than for something that will soon be 40 years old.)
Good luck with your project. I will look forward to seeing you at a car show with your 72 Torino someday.
9th Aug 2009, 12:21
Hello All. I just got my '73 Gran Torino home. My donation to my daughter's automotive schooling. I have never been a real "car guy", but have always loved the Gran Torino.
I have a question: Are all the 351W-2 engines classified as 5.8L?? When I look at ordering parts, they ask and I don't know. It's nowhere in the original paperwork or owner's manual.
Mine is a 4 door, A/C.
Thanks for your help. Xz.
27th Aug 2009, 23:58
I owned a '72 Torino (NOT the Gran Torino, but the Torino model; different front clip). I preferred the front end of this car to the Gran Torino. Rare car. I can't even find pictures of one.
22nd Sep 2009, 13:59
I got a Green 72 Torino as my first car in 1982. The 72 Torino front grill was the uglyest car ever made. I changed it to the Gran Torino front end and added the Gran Torino Sport hood. I still have it... it has sat for over 20 years now.
I plan to have it street ready by the end of the winter. The original 400 will be replaced by 850 HP 460.
29th Mar 2010, 15:39
I've been wondering something... I own a 1972 4dr Torino, and I was wondering if a 72' Gran Torino front clip would fit on a regular Torino?
7th Sep 2006, 14:28
For $15K you could buy 2 or 3 '72 Torinos in excellent condition!