1972 ford gran torino sport

External linksEdit

Overview Edit

The Ford Gran Torino Sport was a muscle car by Ford. The original Torino was introduced in 1968 and was an upscale version of the Ford Fairlane, a conventional 4-door car. At that time, the Fairlane was at the basic level; then the Fairlane 500, followed by the Torino, with the highest trim being the Torino Squire and Torino GT, the latter being a predecessor to the Gran Torino Sport. The Torino has smaller engine choices than the Fairlane; albeit more powerful, starting with a small block V8 which can be upgraded to a big block.

The Torino lineup was revised in 1970, being significantly more angular than both its predecessor and its successor. The Torino now became a full nameplate, and the Fairlane became a cheaper sub-model. The cheapest sub-model of the Torino was the Falcon, previously a compact rivaling the Chevrolet Nova. New muscle models were introduced; alongside the traditional Torino GT, a new high-performance model called the Torino Cobra was introduced. Only a thousand of these were sold.

The Gran Torino model line was introduced in 1972. At this point, the Torino overshadowed the Falcon(in the USA) and the Fairlane into history. The new Torino used a new chassis which made the ride more isolated, as well as a new iconic front end which improved energy absorption. The car became shorter and chubbier. Front disk brakes were necessary for performance and luxury models.

More modifications were made in Torinos in later years, mainly related to aerodynamics and federal safety regulations; in 1973, the Torino’s front end was modified, and the rear end was modified a year later. The Torino was discontinued after 1976. The chassis of the Torino was later used for upscale Fords including the Ford Thunderbird, Ford LTD II, and Ford Ranchero.

The Gran Torino Sport is relatively collectable, not only because it was well known; it was great at Ford’s NASCAR activities which involved this car, but also because of its rarity; poor construction of the Torino made it easily rust out with road moisture, salt, and even more.

1972-1976Edit

1972 brought another major redesign, and a move to body on frame construction. The already somewhat aggressive look was exaggerated with a large ‘fishmouth’ grille. The convertible was discontinued, but all other body styles remained. «Torino» remained the base series, but the «Torino 500» was renamed «Gran Torino», the «Torino Brougham» became «Gran Torino Brougham», and Torino GT became the Gran Torino Sport with a fake hood scoop.

The «Cobra» model was discontinued, and the Torino line was refocused toward luxury rather than performance. In addition to the base engines (250 in³ 6-cylinder in all except wagons and Sport models and a 302 in³ small-block V8 in wagons and Sport models) available engines included one 385-series engine (the 429 4-barrel), and several 335-series engine options (351 Cleveland, 351 Cleveland «Cobra Jet», 351 , and the 400) . Emissions and fuel economy requirements, however, had begun to take their toll — these engines produced significantly less power than their predecessors, and thus, performance was mediocre at best. The «Cobra Jet» was the only engine equipped with dual exhaust, optional ‘Ram Air’ induction that made the hood scoop functional or an available four-speed transmission; 400s and 429s were automatic only. Window glass remained frameless on this generation, but four-doors now had a center pillar, making them «pillared hardtops». For this year, vent windows vanished from four-door models.

The 1973 model saw front fascia changes that eliminated the «fishmouth» grille to meet with new federal regulations; larger safety bumpers replaced the almost body-fitting chrome bumpers previously used. 1973 maintained the rear bumper of the 72. 1974 saw the discontinuation of the SportsRoof model along with another redesign of the grille and front fascia, and new taillights with large safety bumpers on the rear. Although the Gran Torino Sport coupe was still offered, and the 429 was replaced with a dual-exhaust equipped 460 (still automatic only), the tide had definitely turned against performance cars and the performance options that did remain were being eliminated year by year; 1974 was the last year for the 351 «Cobra Jet» and the four-speed transmission. This year also saw the spawn of a Torino-based personal-luxury coupe, called the Gran Torino Elite (later simply «Elite»), which was a twin to the Mercury Cougar XR-7.

1975 and 1976 saw few changes except for the cancelling of the Sport series before the 1976 model year. 1975 and 1976 Gran Torinos were used in the popular TV series Starsky and Hutch. This series inspired Ford to build 1,000 replicas of the «Starsky and Hutch» car in the spring of 1976. After 1976, Ford discontinued the Torino.

The Torino chassis actually lived on for three more years, under the LTD II and the downsized 1977 Thunderbird.

1968-1971Edit

In 1968 Ford Motor Company released an entirely new body style and platform for the Ford Fairlane. From this change came a new model. Called «Torino», the car’s name is the Italian name of the city of Turin and was a name originally proposed for the Mustang while in development. These were produced as hardtops, convertibles and fastbacks and became the new basis for its truck variant, the Ranchero. This body style was carried over to 1969 with minor changes to the grille while the rear mirrored the full-size Fords with a full-width trim below squarish taillights.

The fastback Fords (and similar Mercury Montego Cyclones) proved to be very aerodynamic for NASCAR stock car racing. The Talledega version added a rounded-off nose for even less drag. Chrysler’s fastback Charger proved to be a disappointment, but the dominance of Ford would bring Chrysler to design the radical «winged warrior» Dodge Charger Daytona and later Plymouth Superbird. While the 1970 restyle looked less boxy, it would not be as successful in racing.

Ford Torino
Ford
Production	1972-1976
Class	Intermediate
Body Style	2-Door Hardtop2-Door Fastback4-Door Hardtop5-Door Wagon
Length	5422 mm (213.6″) (coupe)5530 mm (217.6″) (sedan)5654 mm (222.6″) (wagon)
Width	2014 mm (79.3″)
Height	53.2″
Wheelbase	2895 mm (114″)(coupe)2998 mm (118″) (sedan, wagon)
Weight	1630-1860 kg (3600-4100 lbs)
Transmission	4-Speed Manual, RWD3-Speed Automatic, RWD
Engine	4.1L (250 cid) I6 (1972-1973)5.0L (302 cid) V8 (1972-1976)5.8L (351 cid) V8 (1972-1976)6.6L (400 cid) V8 (1974-1976)7.0L (429 cid) V8 (1972-1973)7.5L (460 cid) V8 (1974-1976
Power	140-375 hp
Similar	Mercury Montego

Upgrade Map Edit

Insert upgrade values at $106856. — means that that value doesn’t exist.

Restore Edit

Tires & Rims Edit

Gearbox Edit

Engine Edit

Carburetor Edit

Exhaust Edit

Nitrous Edit

CSR Classics Edit

The Ford Gran Torino Sport is a very heavy muscle car in CSR Classics, appearing in Tier 2. Being a very heavy car it starts out at 3898 pounds, making this one of the heaviest cars in the game and compromises acceleration. The car, however, has a good top speed which makes up for this. The heavy weight is not properly supplemented with its power, which is, despite its weight, starts at 248hp, much weaker than its rivals, the Dodge Dart Swinger and the Chevrolet Camaro SS. Like the other two aformentioned muscle cars, grip of this car is mediocre, although the Gran Torino has an edge here due to its low power and heavy weight. Gearbox speed is normal. It is capable of shifting instantly to second gear after a perfect start, despite its slow gearbox, which makes this car somewhat more powerful than its stats may indicate. However, the cost of purchase and upgrade of this car makes this car an unattractive choice.