Vehicle Description
1976 Ford Elite
Styled to keep you out of the crowd, priced so you can enjoy it
now. Some cars create their own distinction. The Ford Elite is one
of them. And you don't have to wait a lifetime to have this kind of
distinction. From a marketing brochure circa 1976.
Our consignor self describes this car as having the experience of
"driving down the road on your sofa" which is a good thing! Bought
from the original owner who special ordered it from Altoona Ford,
and since then a mere 43,018 consigner stated miles have been put
on. Our consignor has put a new AC system in, and a current PA
inspection is on the car having passed with flying colors. Let's
explore this luxurious car and see if we can find some spare change
in the cushions!
Exterior
Factory Polar White bathes the big steel slabs on this car and they
have no rust in my sights. A red side trim is on the midpoint and a
red Odense half vinyl roof is seen framing the rear passenger
compartment's roofline. All this textured vinyl is nearly perfect
with no fading. Dual "italicized" vertical windows are set into
each B pillar within this top. Where it meets the paint it is
perfect with no rust. A nice hexagonal curved outward grille with
panels of egg crate chrome is flanked by a single round headlight
on either side and the turn signals are on each corner of the front
quarters and are just a bit forward of the center of the grille. A
large bumper is below and presenting in very good condition as are
the covers between the body and the chrome. A long hood sweeps
rearward to the front glass, and all gaps along the way are well
minded. Chrome mirrors on either side are also nearly showroom. In
back just under the 3 bedroom sized trunk lid are horizontal tail
lights that wrap slightly around the rear quarters. More shiny
chrome for the rear bumper and the covers are perfect body matching
and no cracking. 15-inch jet engine turbine style wheels are
wrapped with thin white walls all around.
Interior
Inside I'm literally seeing red and in this case, it starts on the
doors with a center panel of tuck and roll padded vinyl. This panel
is within a burl wood frame with thin chromed edges. The armrest,
actuator and window crank as well as the side view mirror toggle is
here. Below is red carpeting and above the frame continues in red
vinyl. Inside the red keeps on keepin' on with a front and rear
bench covered in red broadcloth for the seats and backs and red
vinyl for the bolsters. The broadcloth has a subtle small square
pattern within it and sports white stitching between the seams.
Upfront more wood burl for the cluster which is a lineup of
circular inset gauges and eyeball A/C vents. Below is a black panel
for the climate sliders light pull and radio. Above is padded red
vinyl and there are no cracks or blemishes. Clean thick pile red
carpeting is flooding the floors, and above is a tight red smooth
shiny vinyl headliner. Just like sitting on the couch at home sans
the TV, BUT now you have the world going by, what could be more
entertaining?
Drivetrain
A lift of the long hood, and what to my wandering eye appears but a
highly detailed clean and shiny engine bay with a blue block, air
cleaner cover and valve covering 351ci Windsor V8. This has the
factory 2-barrel carb on top and a C4 3-speed automatic
transmission on back. A Ford 9-inch 2.75 gas saving rear axle is
taking power from the 3-speed auto.
Undercarriage
Some patina and slight surface rust but it's very scarce under
here. Floor pans, toe kicks, and rockers are solid as is the dual
exit at the engine to 1 pipe exhaust. Independent coil spring
suspension is upfront and on back a 3 link with coil springs. Power
disc braking is on the front and power drums on the rear. Looking
all original and all good.
Drive-Ability
I hopped in this square and rectangle mid 70's yacht and off to the
test track I went. My partner in crime drove so I could watch the
world go by and maybe even fall asleep. He reported smooth
acceleration, good easy automatic shifts to whisk us down the test
track. All functions were working save for that pesky clock which
is rarely working on any classic.
This affordable luxury liner, all original and only 2 owners has me
smitten with its design and look right out of 1976. Come on in and
have a sit, and like me you'll be looking for the footrest lever.
I've already dug out all the change!
VIN DECODE
6G21H251070
6-1976
G-Chicago, IL Assy Plant
21-Gran Torino Elite 2 Door Hardtop
H-351ci V8 2bbl 152hp
251070-Sequential Unit Number
DOOR STICKER
BODY 65H-Elite 2 Door Hardtop
COLOR 9D-Polar White
ND-Red Odense Vinyl Roof
TRIM AD-Red Cloth/Vinyl Bench
TRANS W-C4 3 Speed Automatic
AXLE 2-Ford 9" 2.75 Conventional
DSO 14-Pittsburgh
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
