The Ford Torino was launched in 1968 as part of the Ford Fairlane family. Fairlane sales were falling and Ford decided that putting a new name on the same quality car would help sales. This decision proved to be correct with great sales for the Ford Torino and ultimately it would replace the Ford Fairlane with an updated brand of beauty, power and styling.
The production of the Ford Torino would run from 1968 through to 1976. The initial Torino was a larger vehicle than the Ford Fairlane in the previous year. The roofline for the fastback was a whole new concept for the Fairlane stable as well as the new two door hardtop.
Right from the start the Torino was built with plenty of power and comfort in mind. The V8 engines came as standard starting with the small block 302 up to the big block 390 and 428 Cobra Jet launched in 1969. Initially the 1968 Torino was available in the two door fastback, two or four door hardtop, station wagon and two door convertible.
The Torino GT was the upgraded Torino in 1968 with standard body decal stripe, styled steel wheels, wide oval sports tires and standard equipment v-8 engine. These were available with manual four speed gearbox.
The body styling saw a complete change for 1970 and 1971with a lower, wider and longer body. The Ford Torino in 1970 also saw the introduction of the 351 engines in the Torino as well as the 429 with 360 BHP.
The Ford Torino GT was also now available with a Hurst four speed manual gearbox, rear window sports slats, ribbon style tachometer, three spoke steering wheel, high back bucket seats and 15 inch magnum 500 chrome wheels. In addition the Ford Torino GT also now had the option of hideaway headlights and the side stripes were redesigned in multiple colors but only as an option.
Again in 1972 the Ford Torino was restyled with the front fenders with a more rounded profile. The rear bumper was much bigger and now housed the rear taillight units. The front grille was also redesigned and resembled the Cobra. The two door fastback now had a lower roofline whilst the roofline of the four door hardtop was now much rounder.
In 1975 the Ford Torino saw changes to the standard equipment package. The changes included power steering fitted as standard.
The 1976 model year saw no major changes to the Torino line-up in fact the biggest change was the discontinuation of the Gran Torino Sport. The optional extras included a power trunk release, automatic parking brake release and opera windows and landau roofs were now available as optional extras for all 2-door models.
The Ford Torino is perhaps best known for its appearance on the popular TV series Starsky & Hutch and more recently the Clint Eastwood film Gran Torino.
Author Andrew Whitehead - a self confessed petrol head has owned numerous classic cars from fully restored to basket cases! He now has a website to fuel his passion in all things auto and if you're looking to buy a Ford Torino please visit http://www.americanautobid.com/blog/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Whitehead
