Ford Torino

Ford Torino Cobra Sportsroof (1970 )

The Ford Torino was for the North American market from 1968 to 1976 produced in three series midsize car of the U.S. car manufacturer Ford The high-order versions contributed time, the name Ford Gran Torino. In some model years, Ford offered sporty versions like the Torino Cobra, who scored successes in motor sport events. Special recognition reached the Torino the third series by its use in a U.S. television series.

Model history

Based on the American standards of Torino was positioned in the middle class. He was initially a derivative of the middle class model Ford Fairlane, but was an independent model in the 1970s. The model name " Torino " takes on the Italian city of Turin reference, the Henry Ford II for the "Detroit of Italy" held. This name was one of several originally proposed for the Mustang name, while it was in development.

First series (1968-1969)

In model year 1968 Ford presented a new generation of middle-class models. They had been marketed since 1961 under the name Fairlane. Ford retained the name when introduced in 1968 for the generation, limited him now but on the weak -equipped versions. The high-quality versions received the designation in 1968 Fairlane Torino.

Technically and stylistically the Fairlane and the Torino were largely identical. They were each, two-door hatchback coupe and five-door station wagon offered as a four-door sedan.

Second series (1970-1971)

The Torino was an independent model. In 1970 he was given a new body, the technique has remained largely unchanged.

Third Series (1972-1976)

The third series of Torino has been completely redeveloped. Unlike earlier in the years, the Torino had no self-supporting body more, but used a separate chassis. The Torinos the third series were large, heavy vehicles whose dimensions approximate the full-size models reached, but not in the interior had more space than modern compact car. They were heavily criticized for their lavish manner of construction in the press and had hard to find it in the time of the oil crisis buyer.

Derivations

  • The to the Ford company belonging Mercury Division offered its own version of the Torino under the name of Montego; a derivative of luxury coupe was offered in model years 1974 to 1976 under the name Mercury Cougar.
  • A special version of the Ford Torino is the Gran Torino Elite, a 1974 to 1976 offered luxury coupe that with the Mercury Cougar model years 1974 to 1976 was almost identical and the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Chrysler Cordoba should compete.
  • Ford Pick-Up series Ranchero was based from 1968 to 1976 on the respective Torino models.
  • Successor of the Torino was the Ford LTD II Both models were technically completely identical; the LTD II only received a redesigned bodywork.

Popularity

Although muscle cars today enjoy a very high popularity, the Ford Torino has only very late achieved the status of many other cars of that era. For example, had a Chevrolet Chevelle or a Plymouth Road Runner, compared with a similarly equipped Torino, long a much higher popularity and a significantly higher value. Even among fans of the Ford Motor Company of Torino was often the 'forgotten' model. Attention is even now rather put on the Mustang. Admits became the vehicle through the television series Starsky & Hutch. In the movie Gran Torino (2008) directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, a 1972 Gran Torino plays a central role as a coveted symbol of lost American values ​​. But even with Big Lebowski is a Ford Torino important part of the film plot.

1974 Ford Gran Torino from the series Starsky & Hutch

1973 Ford Torino of Jeff " The Dude" Lebowski

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