Vehicle Description
Originality is important and collectors are finally realizing that
every car doesn't need to be a trailer queen. Instead, cars like
this 1968 Ford Torino hardtop are finding new homes and greater
appreciation from guys who love seeing the way the factory did it
and appreciate the feeling of a car that hasn't been torn down and
rebuilt. For that reason, this Torino remains a special car.
After an inspection by the American Fairlane Association, we can
report that the paint on this Torino is all original (san the
passenger rear quarter that had some touch-up years back), and as a
result you get a correct car that still looks great but you aren't
afraid to drive anywhere. Despite the years it still presents like
a higher driver-quality car, and it looks suitably vintage, which
contributes to this car's very appealing no-nonsense look - and
that's what survivor cars are all about. Survival rates on 4-door
Torinos must be incredibly low, and once you take a closer look at
the paperwork you'd see how rare this car really is, but there's no
denying that it's a handsome piece. Compared to the fastbacks and
convertibles, it has a somewhat formal look accentuated by a
refined use of chrome and the slick black roof. And there's just
nothing like the sound of those doors closing on an original car,
which also offers good gaps on all the panels, a tight feeling
going down the road, and excellent factory chrome and brightwork
that's been lovingly polished from day one by just four owners.
There's no question that the interior is entirely original, and
while there's some wear in a few places, there's even more evidence
that this car has been loved. Red upholstery works quite well with
the black-on-red exterior paint, eliminating the problems with many
late-60s color combinations. The front bench offers lots of space
for road trips and you'd be shocked at how much more room a 4-door
car really has out back, but that's the beauty of full-sized
comfort. The four round instrument pods give it an aggressive look,
even if the dials inside are only monitoring the basics, and it's
worth noting that everything works, and that even the original AM
radio is still in place. Options are rather sparse otherwise, but
you do get factory A/C that's remarkably still blowing cold! The
woodgraining on the dash and steering wheel still looks pretty
good, the dash pad hasn't been completely destroyed by the sun, and
while you can probably get reproduction upholstery, nothing quite
measures up to OEM. Heck, even the driver's door panel doesn't even
show much of a depression where the driver's elbow might have been
resting over the past 52 years, although as we mentioned prior, the
patina is certainly visible inside. There's also a massive trunk
out back, and it's outfitted with an ancient bias-ply spare and
jack set.
The 289 cubic inch V8 provides effortless performance and is
unquestionably the car's original powerplant, although that's just
an opinion because Ford didn't stamp VINs on their block. And the
fact that this 4-door even carries a 289 V8, let alone the 3-speed
it's married to, is incredibly rare and the result of a Ford strike
from that era. Still wearing it's original Ford Blue engine enamel,
it has a smooth confidence that makes this car a pleasure to drive
at any speed and once again, there's an intangible feeling in a
well-maintained original car that you can't restore into a project.
Routine maintenance pieces have been conscientiously replaced over
the years, keeping the car mechanically sharp, but it has never
needed internal engine surgery and drives superbly as a result. The
3-speed manual is unobtrusive in operation, letting the 289's
torque do most of the work, and with 2.79 gears in the 9-inch rear,
this is the car you want on your next road trip. The underside is
unquestionably original, but it's all incredibly solid, showing
only surface scale and road grime - not cause for alarm. Wired
hubcaps add an elegant look and carry 205/75/14 white-wall radials
that finish off the look.
Extensively documented with a Marti Report, window sticker,
original build sheet, a dealer's invoice, and lots of other
original provenance, this awesome Torino survivor makes a great
impression. Call today!