Vehicle Description
You can be forgiven for doing a double-take on this 1971 Ford
Torino GT convertible because they're so rare (only 1613 were
built) that very few people even know they exist. Fortunately, this
one does exist and looks great with its trademark "laser stripe"
down its flanks, and with a strong-running 351 cubic inch V8 under
the hood, it's got enough power to match its racy look.
The Torino can probably be considered Ford's answer to the
Chevelle, but sadly it was a distant second in the popularity
contest vs. Chevy's erstwhile A-body. However, if more people had
seen a car like this Torino GT convertible, perhaps the numbers
would have changed. Ford didn't advertise it very much, giving it
one lonely photo in their 1971 brochure where it was easy to
overlook. This one is finished in handsome code V Light Pewter
Metallic, which is the car's original color and looks pretty classy
on the big ragtop. It was repainted a few years ago and the paint
is holding up quite well, with a great shine and panel alignment
that suggests this was always a clean, straight car. There are
plenty of performance styling cues, most notably the hood scoop and
the aforementioned laser stripe along its flanks, and the hidden
headlights work rather well on the redesigned Torino, although
these are a little finicky. The 1970 redesign also added a
full-width taillight, a design element that would sweep through the
entire FoMoCo lineup in the early '70s, but scarcely does it look
better than on the Torino.
The handsome white interior offers cloth inserts on the seats that
add an upscale look and plenty of comfort to the big ragtop. Black
carpets work with a dark dash to keep it from being too bright
inside, and the arrow-style design on the door panels mirrors the
overall look of the car's profile. The big, wide instrument panel
puts all the controls right in front of the driver, including the
factory A/C, which remains fully functional today. The carpets are
in excellent condition, and while the seats show some light wear,
they remain comfortable enough for all-day cruises. The original AM
radio still lives in the center of the dash, and the lack of a
console makes it feel positively huge inside. And speaking of huge,
the trunk is quite spacious and uses a typical Ford plaid mat and
includes a full jack assembly as well. Overhead, there's a black
power convertible top with glass rear window and a new white
boot.
Power comes from a 351 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor, a
specification necessitated by the era but still able to deliver
torquey performance that's a lot of fun. The engine bay is quite
stock, with Ford Blue in all the right places, a stock air cleaner,
and that big A/C compressor which has been converted to R134a
refrigerant. It starts almost instantly and idles so smoothly that
you'd swear it's a Lincoln, not a Ford, and all that torque makes
it feel lively on the street. The 3-speed automatic transmission
shifts smoothly and there are 3.00 gears in back to make it a
fantastic highway cruiser that just eats up pavement. There's a
fresh Flowmaster exhaust system underneath that just sounds awesome
and the underside is pretty original yet in very good condition
overall. The low-key look is enhanced by the plain-Jane hubcaps and
sporty 225/70/15 white-letter radials.
Documented as one of four by the Marti Report, this is a rare Ford
convertible that delivers V8 power and a great look that will have
onlookers asking you questions every time you stop. Call today!