Ford Torino

ford
	Ford Torino Cobra Sportsroof (1970)
Torino
Production period:	1968-1976
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Coupé , cabriolet , sedan , station wagon
Engines:	; Petrol engines : 5.8–7.5 liters ; (113–151 kW)
Length:	5445-5670 mm
Width:	2015 mm
Height:	1335-1395 mm
Wheelbase :	2895-2995 mm
Empty weight :	approx. 1600–1800 kg
Previous model	Ford Fairlane
successor	Ford LTD II

The Ford Torino was a mid-range car produced in three series for the North American market by the US car manufacturer Ford from 1968 to 1976 . The higher-quality versions were sometimes called the Ford Gran Torino . In some model years, Ford offered sporty versions such as the Torino Cobra, which also achieved success at motorsport events. The Torino of the third series achieved particular fame through its use in a US television series.

Model history

In terms of American standards, the Torino was positioned in the middle class. It was initially a derivative of the mid-range model Ford Fairlane , but became an independent model in the 1970s. The model name "Torino" refers to the Italian city of Turin , which Henry Ford II considered the "Detroit of Italy". This name was one of the many names originally proposed for the Mustang while it was under development.

First series (1968–1969)

In the 1968 model year, Ford presented a new generation of its mid-range models. They had been marketed under the Fairlane name since 1961. Ford kept this name for the generation introduced in 1968, but now limited it to the poorly equipped versions. The high-quality versions were given the name Fairlane Torino from 1968.

Technically and stylistically, the Fairlane and the Torino were largely identical. They were offered as two-door coupé (hardtop), two-door coupé with hatchback (fastback), two-door convertible (convertible), as well as four-door sedan (sedan) and five-door station wagon (station wagon).

Second series (1970–1971)

The Torino became an independent model. In 1970 it received a new body, the technology remained largely unchanged.

Third series (1972–1976)

The third series of the Torino has been completely redeveloped. Unlike in previous years, the Torino no longer had a self-supporting body, but used a separate chassis. The Torinos of the third series were large, heavy vehicles, the dimensions of which almost reached the full-size models, but had no more space in the interior than modern compact cars. They were heavily criticized in the press for their lavish construction and had a hard time finding buyers during the oil crisis .

Derivatives

The Mercury Division belonging to the Ford group offered its own version of the Torino under the name Montego ; a luxury coupé derived from it was offered in the model years 1974 to 1976 under the name Mercury Cougar .

A special version of the Ford Torino is the Gran Torino Elite , a luxury coupe offered from 1974 to 1976, which was largely identical to the Mercury Cougar of the 1974 to 1976 model years and was intended to compete with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Chrysler Cordoba .

Ford's pickup truck series Ranchero was based from 1968 to 1976 on the respective Torino models.

The successor to the Torino was the Ford LTD II . Both models were technically completely identical; the LTD II only received a newly designed body.

popularity

Even if muscle cars are very popular these days, the Ford Torino did not achieve the status of many other cars of this era until very late. For example, a Chevrolet Chevelle or a Plymouth Road Runner , compared to a similarly equipped Torino, has long been much more popular and significantly higher in value. Even among fans of the Ford Motor Company, the Torino was often the "forgotten" model. Even today, more attention is paid to the Mustang. The vehicle became famous through the television series Starsky & Hutch . In the film Gran Torino (2008) by and with Clint Eastwood , a 1972 Gran Torino plays a central role as a coveted symbol of lost American values. A Ford Torino is also the protagonist's vehicle in the film comedy The Big Lebowski . Jason Statham also drives a 69 Torino in Wild Card .

Ford Torino Squire (1968)
1974 Ford Gran Torino from the Starsky & Hutch series
1973 Ford Torino owned by Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski

Web links

Commons : Ford Torino - Collection of images, videos and audio files