Currently, there is great interest in 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 series 1962-1970. "Ford Torino", created on the basis of the Ford Falcon, refers to mid-size cars. In the model range of the manufacturer, Fairlane occupied a position between the model that became the base for him, that is, the Falcon, and the larger Galaxie and Custom.
Story
Ford Fairlane, a modification of which was Torino, was produced earlier. However, the generation of 1955-1961 was full-sized, and from 1962 it was reduced to medium-sized. In 1968, the manufacturer changed the design of this model, giving it more sportiness.
Ford Torino appeared in the same year as an older modification of the Fairlane family.
In 1970, the model underwent changes, like the whole family. Now the cars that make it up have changed roles. That is, Ford Torino took the place of the main model, and Fairlane was converted into its modification. The design was again changed.
In 1971, Ford eliminated the name Fairlane. Now the whole family was represented exclusively by the Torino model.
The following year, this car was subjected to significant restyling.
The manufacturer also made small changes every next year until 1976, when this family was slightly transformed, and then its production was completed.
Body
Initially, Ford Torino was produced in five bodies: sedan, station wagon, fastback, hardtop and convertible. The first two types were 4-door, the rest were 2-door. When restyling the 1970 Ford Torino, two more types were added, namely a 4-door hardtop and a 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 no longer produced. In this form, the body scale was preserved until the end of the production of the model.
The most common bodies on the market were 4-door hardtops and sedans.
Engines
For Ford Torino offered a fairly extensive range of engines.
At the beginning of production, the base was 3.0 liter 6-cylinder. In addition to him, several more units were offered. They are all 8-cylinder: 2V 4.9 L, 2V 4.7 L, 4V FE 6.4 L, 2V FE 6.4 L, 4V FE 7.0 L. The latter engine was very rare on both the Ford Torino and the Fairlane, and shortly after the start of production, the models stopped installing it. Then, instead, 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 Ford Torino Cobra. There were also more modest modifications, designated GT, which equipped 6.4 liters with engines.
In 1969, the base engine was replaced with a 6-cylinder 4.1 liter. In addition to it, 4V Windsor 6.4 l 2V and Windsor 5.8 l began to be offered as new ones. Of the old engines, the base for the GT version of 4.9 liter V8 and Cobra-Jet remained. However, the latter has ceased to be the most powerful in the gamut of the model, since it appeared modified for drag racing version 428-4V Super Cobra Jet.
After the restyling of 1970, the base engine of 250 CID was preserved, as well as 351W-2V and 302-2V. There are several new options. So, the motors for the powerful GT and Cobra modifications were replaced. The GT began to be installed as a base 302-2V, which was also standard on the Bourgham. Cobra equipped with a 429-4V motor in three versions: the base 429 Thunder Jet, 429 SCJ, 429 CJ. Also for this modification, 351 Cleveland was additionally proposed. He had two modifications in accordance with the number of carburetor chambers: 351C-2V and 351W-2V.
At the 1972 Ford Torino, a new 355 engine of the 400 2-V family appeared. The most powerful instead of 429-4V was the 351 CJ. The rest of the range of motors remained the same.
In 1973, they reduced the compression ratio of power units and equipped them with batteries of lower power.
The only new motor in the range of the model was 460-4V, but only police modifications were equipped with it.
Since 1974, Ford Torino became exclusively 8-cylinder, since by that time the mass had grown so much that the base 6-cylinder engine was not enough, so 250 CIDs were excluded from the range. His place was taken by 302-2V. Also in the range was included 460-4V instead of 429-4V.
In 1975, due to the introduction of new environmental standards, the manufacturer equipped all cars with catalytic converters, and also increased the pressure on the outlet, as a result of which the engine performance, except for 460, decreased significantly. The 351-4V motor was excluded from the gamut of the model, but 351W and 351-2V were left, and a modified 351M was added. In addition, 460-4V and 400-2V remained.
In 1976, while maintaining the gamut of engines, changes were made aimed at efficiency.
Transmissions
For Ford Torino, from the first years of production, they offered three gearboxes: the standard was a 3-speed manual, and the options were set to 4-speed and 3-speed automatic. Since 1969, Cobra was equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission as standard, and since 1972 it was combined with only 351 CJ, which in 1974 remained the only engine equipped with this gearbox. Such a gamut, consisting of three gearboxes, persisted until 1975, when mechanical options were no longer installed. Therefore, the latest Torino equipped with only three-speed automatic transmission.
Modifications
Ford Torino was produced in many modifications. Initially, there were 14, the next year the number increased to 16 and decreased 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 4.9 liter engines, 2V FE and 4V FE. It was distinguished by the presence of anti-roll bars in the suspension and was offered in bodies: 2-door hardtop, convertible and SportsRoof.
In 1970, the first body was expelled. The 302-2V motor became the base. Also available was 429 CJ. The GT standard was equipped with mirrors on both sides, emblems, reflector lights, black appliqués, and special wheel caps. 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 has become the base. The version was distinguished by cast door panels, painted mirrors, 14-inch tires, moldings on the arches.
In 1973, the Ram Air was expelled, as was the elongated hood.
In 1976, the release of the modification was stopped.
Torino cobra
This name was borne by the most powerful versions of Torino until 1972. The modification also appeared from the beginning of the release, but was very rare. It was equipped with 7.0 L 4V CJ and 2-door SportsRoof and hardtop. Outwardly, such a car was distinguished by the presence of the emblem "428" under the parking lights.
Starting next year, the Ram Air Induction package was offered for the 4V CJ. In addition to him, 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 radiator grille, and other tires appeared on the front wings. 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, they left only the SportsRoof body. The base motor was replaced with 351-4V, and 428-4V with 429-4V. An optional Drag Pack has become available, including a different axis, a carburetor, forged pistons, an oil cooling system. The option was 15-inch wheels.
In 1972, Cobra ceased to produce.
Torino bourham
This option appeared in 1970 in hardtop bodies with 2 and 4 doors and a 4-door station wagon. It was distinguished by improved finish and sound insulation, as well as modified headlights and wheel caps. It was equipped with a 302-2V engine in the base.
In 1972, the modification was reduced to Gran Torino.
The following year she was returned as a top-end hardtop with 2 doors and a 4-door sedan.
Torino SportsRoof appeared in 1970 as a simplified alternative to the GT.
Torino 500
Initially, this modification was called Fairlane 500 and was the second in the range after Fairlane. It was presented in bodies: convertible, hardtop with 2 doors, station wagon, 4-door sedan and SportsRoof.
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 name Fairlane was excluded, so the version received the name Torino 500 and again became the second in the range with the original list of bodies. As an option, they offered hidden lights.
In 1972, the modification was renamed Ford Gran Torino and left a hardtop with 2 doors and a 4-door sedan.
Gran torino elite
In 1974, the Sportsroof Gran Torino Sport body was replaced with this modification in the body of a 2-door hardtop with a 351-2V engine.
Starting next year, the modification was singled out as a separate Ford Elite model.
Reviews
The performance of the model and the ratings of critics and consumers can be judged by automobile magazines such as Car Life, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, etc. Automobile publications praised the handling and especially the dynamics of early cars, as well as the first versions of Cobra. Cars also received good reviews after restyling in 1972, despite a change in priorities.
The popularity of the model can be judged by sales. The car was very popular. In 1968, more than 170,000 cars were sold, and, with Fairlane, more than 370,000. With some fluctuations, sales reached a peak of almost 500,000 by 1972-1973. Then, popularity began to drop to just over 190,000 in the last year.
In terms of performance, consumers considered the Cobra versions of 1970 to be the best. Later on, in tests of magazines, they showed worse results, and in 1972 they were excluded from production. Moreover, as noted by consumers, the latest Torino got too big and heavy, and the engines lost productivity 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 mass production. Another prototype Ford Torino GT was released in 2015. It was assumed that it will be put into production next year. However, now they still do not release this Ford Torino. Photos of him caused an ambiguous reaction. Also, various sources contain controversial information about this car: some believe that it will go into production in the coming years, while others doubt the possibility of its serial production.