In the late 1960s, Ford recognized the need to extend their intermediate sized vehicle line to better serve the public demand and to have a more competitive design for NASCAR...
In the late 1960s, Ford recognized the need to extend their intermediate sized vehicle line to better serve the public demand and to have a more competitive design for NASCAR racing. The decision was made to expand on the Fairlane 500 platform which brought forward the new Torino for the model year 1968. Production of the Torino in took place in five plants in the US as well as one in Canada turning out a total of 172,083 units in the Torino's introductory year. Though the first Torino proved to be a very popular offering, by 1976 government requirements for five mile an hour impact bumpers and engine emissions ultimately brought the Torino line to an end.
The 1971 Torino we have displayed here is also a rare model. In that model year, a spring special offering, the Torino 500 was released which included special trim and a "halo" vinyl roof which framed the roof with body color around its perimeter. 32,900 units were produced with the halo vinyl roof but only 14,471 were released with ginger metallic paint and a dark brown vinyl top as seen on this car. Even fewer of these halo models were offered with a 351ci V8 engine. This Torino has been meticulously cared for through its entire life, showing only 19,415 babied miles on its odometer. Additionally, we have numerous pieces of documentation showing options, care, and maintenance throughout its 50 plus years. The overall appearance and condition of this Halo Torino is remarkable, and all the body panels and chrome are in like-new condition. The addition of the chrome tipped dual exhaust and the magnum 500 chrome mags wrapped with white letter B F Goodrich radial tires put this beauties appearance over the top. Entering the interior, you are treated to a pleasant medium bronze bench seat vinyl interior, upscale door panels, and padded dash that appears to have been kept in a time capsule. Instrumentation is bright and crisp as is the column shift and the factory in-dash am radio. Power steering and the radial tires make maneuverability of this beauty a breeze. The overall condition of the engine compartment, body, interior, trunk and underside of this Halo Torino is definitive proof of the loving care it was given by its prior owners. Stop in and have a look for yourself, we're sure you will agree that this Torino definitely deserves to wear its halo.
This is a 3-owner car with great history and documentation! The most recent owner had it for many years and traded it in for a 1972 Chevelle. This car has been so meticulously maintained that included with it is a binder full of documents kept over many years, and it has even been featured in magazines! Some of the documents include the original build sheet, window sticker, a letter from the ford customer service division, and a customer information guide... all very cool stuff to have with a vehicle of this age! The body is laser straight and this car has all of its original panels which are as solid and as rust-free as can be... the cleanliness is truly impressive... even when looking up close at the gaps, seems, and door jams, it does not disappoint! The originality of the car has been maintained with a factory original look and feel like it just rolled off the showroom floor! I would say the exterior of this car is like new, but it may be even better as the factory paint finish wouldn't be as smooth and glossy as this! A set of chrome magnum 500 wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires finish off the look giving it a nice stance! In chronological order, beginning in 1985 spanning until 1995, exterior improvement that were made include having a new vinyl top installed, the refinishing or replacement of roof rails, bottom rocker moldings, door handles and windowsills, front and rear bumpers, and of course, its top-quality paint job done in 1994, that looks like it could have been done recently! It doesn't stop there... The brown vinyl interior is also as clean as can be, take a close look at the seats, carpet/ matching embroidered floor mats, door panels, headliner, dashboard, and everything else all are like new! The interior is in just about all original condition besides the front seat, carpeting, and some plastics have been re-chromed! Under the hood is the 351ci V8, paired with an automatic transmission, and power steering making it a breeze to drive! The engine bay looks good as new with a factory look with the proper blue engine paint, neatly ran wires, an original style battery, and new parts throughout! Mechanically the car has also been meticulously maintained. Spanning from 1995-2018 handwritten oil change and grease job records have been kept, and of course as the vehicle is over 50 years old, some services that have been performed include a new exhaust system, the starter has been rebuilt, plugs and wires replaced, shocks replaced, complete belt replacement, gaskets, new master cylinder, new heater core, weather stripping, new alternator, new water pump, new brake system, valve job, and trans filter and pan gasket replacement! Everything has been kept up with to keep it in top-notch mechanical condition running and driving like a dream! The trunk has been refinished nicely and features a proper trunk mat, and even still houses the spare tire and equipment! A few extra parts are also in the trunk, such as a set of taillights, the original radio, an interior rear-view mirror, along with plenty of service manuals, books, magazines and more! This car was featured on the front of Fairlane magazine in 2002! This car is an absolute show winner! If this isn't enough to prove how nice this car is then I don't know what is! The odometer states 19,415 miles, which we would have believed to be true if it weren't for the mileage records kept, showing it has rolled over to a total of 119,415 miles... you would never guess!