Ford Torino car: model review, photos and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Currently, there is great interest in the classic American muscle cars of the second half of the last century. These cars include Ford Torino.

Origin

This car was produced as a luxury modification of the Fairlane model of the 1962-1970 series. The Ford Torino, based on the Ford Falcon, was a mid-size car. In the manufacturer's lineup, Fairlane occupied a position between the model that became the basis for it, that is, the Falcon, and the larger Galaxie and Custom.

History

Ford Fairlane, a modification of which was Torino, was produced before. However, the 1955-1961 generation was full-size, and from 1962 it was downgraded to mid-size. In 1968, the manufacturer changed the design of this model, giving it more sportiness.

Ford Torino appeared in the same year as an older version of the Fairlane family.

In 1970, the model underwent changes, like the whole family. Now the cars that make it up have reversed roles. That is, the Ford Torino took the place of the main model, andFairlane was converted into its modification. The design has been changed again.

In 1971, Ford dropped the Fairlane name. Now the whole family was represented exclusively by the Torino model.

This car received a major facelift the following year.

Also, the manufacturer made small changes every next year until 1976, when this family was slightly transformed, and then its production was completed.

Bodies

Initially, the Ford Torino was produced in five body styles: sedan, station wagon, fastback, hardtop and convertible. The first two types were 4-door, the rest were 2-door. The 1970 Ford Torino facelift added two more types, namely the 4-door hardtop and the 2-door sedan. In 1971, the first of them was removed. In 1972, the range of bodies was reduced to 4 options: 2-door fastback and hardtop, 4-door station wagon and sedan. In 1974, the 2-door fastback was also discontinued. In this form, the body range was preserved until the end of the production of the model.

The most common body styles on the market were 4-door hardtop and sedan.

Engines

For the Ford Torino, a fairly extensive range of engines was offered.

At the start of production, the base was a 3.0L 6-cylinder. In addition to it, several more units were offered. They are all 8-cylinder: 2V 4.9L, 2V 4.7L, 4V FE 6.4L, 2V FE 6.4L, 4V FE 7.0L. The latter engine was very rare on both the Ford Torino and the Fairlane, and shortly after production beganmodels stopped installing it. Then, instead of it, the car was equipped with a 4V engine of the same volume. It was also called 428 Cobra-Jet. It was the most powerful engine for the model in question, and the modification equipped with it was designated the Ford Torino Cobra. There were also more modest modifications, designated GT, which were equipped with 6.4 liter engines.

In 1969, the base engine was changed to a 6-cylinder 4.1 hp. In addition to it, they began to offer 4V Windsor 6.4 l 2V and Windsor 5.8 l as new ones. Of the old engines, the base for the GT 4 version, 9 liter V8 and Cobra-Jet, remained. However, the latter has ceased to be the most powerful in the range of the model, as it has been modified for drag racing version of the 428-4V Super Cobra Jet.

After the restyling in 1970, the base 250 CID engine was preserved, as well as the 351W-2V and 302-2V. There are several new options. So, motors for powerful GT and Cobra modifications were replaced. The GT was fitted with the base 302-2V, which was also standard on Bourgham. Cobra was equipped with a 429-4V engine in three versions: the base 429 Thunder Jet, 429 SCJ, 429 CJ. Also for this modification, an additional 351 Cleveland was offered. It had two modifications in accordance with the number of carburetor chambers: 351C-2V and 351W-2В.

The 1972 Ford Torino had a new 355 engine of the 400 2-V family. The most powerful engine instead of the 429-4V was the 351 CJ. Otherwise, the range of engines remained the same.

In 1973, the compression ratio of the powerunits and equipped them with lower capacity batteries.

The only new motor in the model range was the 460-4V, but only police modifications were equipped with it.

Since 1974, Ford Torinos have become exclusively 8-cylinder, since by that time the mass had increased so much that the base 6-cylinder engine before this was not enough, so the 250 CID was excluded from the range. His place was taken by 302-2V. Also included in the range was 460-4V instead of 429-4V.

In 1975, due to the introduction of new environmental regulations, the manufacturer equipped all cars with catalytic converters, and also increased exhaust pressure, as a result of which the performance of engines, except for 460, significantly decreased. The 351-4V engine was dropped from the model range, but the 351W and 351-2V remained, and a modified 351M was added. In addition, 460-4V and 400-2V remained.

In 1976, while maintaining the range of engines, changes were made aimed at efficiency.

Transmissions

From the first years of production, three transmissions were offered for Ford Torino: a 3-speed manual was standard, and 4-speed and 3-speed automatic were installed as options. From 1969, the Cobra was fitted with a 4-speed manual transmission as standard, and from 1972 it was combined only with the 351 CJ, which in 1974 was the only engine equipped with this gearbox. This range, consisting of three gearboxes, was maintained until 1975, when mechanical options were no longer installed. Therefore, the latest Torino equipped onlythree-speed automatic transmission.

Modifications

Ford Torino was produced in many modifications. Initially there were 14, the number increased to 16 the following year and dropped to 9 at the end of production. They were characterized by special combinations of engines and transmissions, some technical changes and external differences.

Torino GT

This modification was offered from the beginning of the production of the model. This option was equipped with engines of 4.9 liters, 2V FE and 4V FE. It featured anti-roll bars in the suspension and was offered in 2-door hardtop, convertible and SportsRoof body styles.

In 1970, the first body was excluded. The 302-2V motor became the base. 429 CJ was also available. The standard GT was equipped with mirrors on both sides, emblems, lanterns with reflectors, black applications, special wheel covers. Additionally, modified headlights and 15-inch wheels were offered.

In 1972, the name was changed to Gran Torino Sport. The convertible was replaced with a 2-door hardtop. The Ram Air system became the base. The version featured molded door panels, painted mirrors, 14-inch tires, moldings on the arches.

The Ram Air was dropped in 1973, as was the extended hood.

In 1976, the modification was discontinued.

Torino Cobra

This was the name of the most powerful versions of Torino until 1972. The modification also appeared from the beginning of production, but was very rare. It was equipped with 7.0 L 4V CJ and 2-door SportsRoof and hardtop body styles. Externallysuch a car was distinguished by the presence of the emblem "428" under the parking lights.

From next year, the Ram Air Induction package was offered to the 4V CJ. In addition to it, the Cobra began to install the 428-4V Super Cobra Jet, designed for drag, with solid cast iron crankshafts, cast pistons, an oil cooling system. On cars equipped with it, a 230 mm rear axle was installed. On all Cobra variants, emblems, a darkened grille, and other tires appeared on the front fenders. They were equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission and independent suspension. At the same time, they were much more modest in decoration than other versions.

In 1970, only the SportsRoof body remained. The base motor was changed to 351-4V and 428-4V to 429-4V. Optional Drag Pack became available, including another axle, carburetor, forged pistons, oil cooling system. 15-inch wheels are an option.

In 1972 Cobra was discontinued.

Torino Bourham

This variant was introduced in 1970 in 2 and 4 door hardtop and 4 door wagon body styles. It featured improved trim and sound insulation, as well as redesigned headlights and wheel covers. Equipped with a 302-2V engine in the base.

In 1972, the modification was reduced to Gran Torino.

The following year it was brought back as a top-of-the-range 2-door hardtop and 4-door sedan.

Torino SportsRoof was introduced in 1970 as a simplified alternative to the GT.

Torino 500

Initially, this modification was called the Fairlane 500 and was the second in the range after the Fairlane. It was introduced in convertible, 2-door hardtop, station wagon, 4-door sedan and SportsRoof body styles.

Since 1970, the Fairlane 500 has become the base version of the series. A convertible was excluded from the range of bodies and a 4-door hardtop was introduced.

The following year, the Fairlane name was dropped, so the version was named the Torino 500 and again became the second in the range with the original list of bodies. Hidden headlights were offered as an option.

In 1972, the modification was renamed the Ford Gran Torino and left a hardtop body with 2 doors and a 4-door sedan.

Gran Torino Elite

In 1974, the Sportsroof Gran Torino Sport body was replaced by this modification in the body of a 2-door hardtop with a 351-2V engine.

From next year, the modification was separated into a separate Ford Elite model.

Reviews

The model's performance and critical and consumer reviews can be judged by automotive magazines such as Car Life, Car and Driver, Motor Trend and others. Automotive publications praised the handling and especially the dynamics of early cars, as well as the first versions of the Cobra. Also, cars received good reviews after restyling in 1972, despite the change in priorities.

The popularity of the model can be judged by sales. The car turned out to be very popular. In 1968, more than 170,000 cars were sold, and including Fairlane - more than 370,000. With some fluctuationssales peaked at almost 500,000 by 1972-1973. Then the popularity began to fall to just over 190,000 in the last year.

In terms of performance, consumers considered the 1970 Cobra versions to be the best. Later on, they performed worse in magazine tests, and in 1972 they were excluded from production. Moreover, as consumers noted, the latest Torinos became too big and heavy, and the engines lost performance due to the introduction of technologies aimed at environmental friendliness and economy, which significantly affected the dynamics.

Modernity

In 2007, the Ford Torino Cobra Concept was introduced. However, the car did not go into serial production. Another prototype Ford Torino GT was released in 2015. It was supposed to be put into production next year. However, even now they still do not release this Ford Torino. Photos of him caused a mixed reaction. Also, various sources contain controversial information about this car: some believe that it will go into production in the coming years, others doubt the possibility of its mass production.