Vehicle Description
Indy Pace Cars have been popular collector pieces since the first
one rolled off the track and into a dealer's showroom, and this
1968 Ford Torino GT convertible is no exception. It's documented as
one of the legitimate 709 pace car replicas built by Ford in '68
and features a clean look, a nice restoration, and a great-running
302 cubic inch V8 just for fun.
All the Torino pace car replicas were Wimbledon white with a blue
C-stripe, and most carried a full decal package that made them
identical to the cars seen at the Brickyard on Memorial Day, 1968.
Some dealers would opt out of installing the whole package, and
that's how this car was restored and if you want the full package,
replica decals are always available and easy to install.
Fortunately, the paint and bodywork underneath are in excellent
condition, a perfect foundation for that particular upgrade and
looking great just the way it sits. There are a few signs of use
and a few careful touch-ups on the finish, and white cleans up so
nicely that everything has an appealing, consistent look. It also
wears correct GT emblems on the nose and tail, plus '302' badges on
the fenders to advertise the V8 inside. I bet you're pleasantly
surprised by how attractive this Torino is, aren't you? Too
cool.
The only sensible choice for the interior is blue, and that's
exactly what you'll find here. Handsome bucket seats, new dark blue
carpets, and fresh door panels give it a clean, bright look that
will look good for years. The car originally had a bench seat, but
the buckets are a natural fit and look right, so we'll call that a
net gain for the next owner. You also get a great-looking dash pad
with four round pods for the gauges, all of which are operational.
The steering wheel is original and shows the effects of time and
sunlight on plastic, as it's a slightly different color than the
rest of the interior, but it isn't cracked or crumbling which is a
big plus. A pair of auxiliary gauges were tucked under the dash so
discreetly that you almost don't notice them, and there's an
AM/FM/cassette stereo in the center of the dash. A power
convertible top stows itself easily and includes a matching white
boot for a trim look. And the trunk is correctly dressed with a mat
and vintage spare tire assembly.
The 302 cubic inch V8 runs superbly and has been neatly detailed
for a very OEM look. A 2-barrel carburetor means that it's
relatively thrifty but there's ample torque to make this big ragtop
feel quick around town. There's a long list of new parts, including
a radiator, fuel pump, valve cover gaskets, water pump, exhaust
system, and rear wheel cylinders, so it's ready to enjoy right
away. Correct decals, some Ford Blue paint, and a clean look all
mean this is a car you'll be proud to own and show. The recently
rebuilt C4 3-speed automatic transmission shifts nicely and with
3.10 gears out back, it's a nice highway car, too. The dual exhaust
system sounds fantastic and no worries about major issues with the
undercarriage because it's remarkably clean. Handsome styled steel
wheels were standard equipment and carry 14-inch BFGoodrich radials
all around.
Heavily documented with a Marti Report, restoration receipts, and
manuals, this is a rare pace car that not only looks great, but
drives right. Why not stand out from the crowd a little bit? Call
today!
