1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport V8 LHD
Photos provided by the seller
Highlights
- Rare car with movie and pop history
- Just 1 UK owner since 2011
- Similar to the Gran Torino and Fast & Furious movie cars
The Appeal
Be under no illusion, this Gran Torino is a rare sight even in the USA. Here in the UK this is likely to be the best you could hope to find. Good enough to be used as a movie car, and in magazine photoshoots, it is a real head turner. The owner tells us that on a trip to Brighton it was spotted by boxer and car nut Chris Eubank, who pleaded to have a drive round the town!
Almost identical to the Gran Torino in Clint Eastwood’s 2008 movie of the same name, and also the 2009 Fast & Furious 4 movie it is a car that is instantly recognisable. The seller has enjoyed its popularity, but feels he hasn’t got the time to give it the attention it deserves so he has decided to sell. A great opportunity for one lucky bidder!
Almost identical to the Gran Torino in Clint Eastwood’s 2008 movie of the same name, and also the 2009 Fast & Furious 4 movie it is a car that is instantly recognisable. The seller has enjoyed its popularity, but feels he hasn’t got the time to give it the attention it deserves so he has decided to sell. A great opportunity for one lucky bidder!
History and Paperwork
• Built in Atlanta in 1972
• 1,179th of 31,239 produced in 1972
• Two US owners, the last from 1991 to 2011
• Purchased and Imported into the UK in 2011
• V5c in Owner’s name
• Invoices for £3,300 of work
• Some older remedial welding to rear floorplans.
• Old MoTs
• Has been used for long journeys, including to the south of France for the Cannes Film Festival.
• Last MoT expired August 2019, now MoT exempt
• Original Ford brochures
• Repair Manual
• Magazine featuring Busted photoshoot with car
• Adventure Boyz movie poster featuring car
• DVDs of Adventure Boyz
• 1/64 model of Gran Torino
The Interior
• Attractive matching green interior
• Original radio with concealed Bluetooth
• Interior mostly original and in good condition
On the inside the Torino is mostly original, with green vinyl bench seats front and rear. The carpets are also green and in great condition; clean and showing only minor wear. The dash area has no sun damage and the instruments are clear and bright.
The Torino was built with air conditioning although it is currently disconnected. The instrument binnacle is the standard arrangement for the Torino with 5 large, round pods featuring fuel gauge and warning lights, speedometer, temperature gauge with warning lights, and on the right, the optional clock. The left hand pod contains the air vent. One thing to note is the fuel gauge seems to not go up even after adding fuel so it's possible this has got stuck somehow.
The Torino was built with air conditioning although it is currently disconnected. The instrument binnacle is the standard arrangement for the Torino with 5 large, round pods featuring fuel gauge and warning lights, speedometer, temperature gauge with warning lights, and on the right, the optional clock. The left hand pod contains the air vent. One thing to note is the fuel gauge seems to not go up even after adding fuel so it's possible this has got stuck somehow.
The steering wheel is original, and shows some wear with cracks to the rim. The “three on the tree” transmission shifter is column mounted with the usual selector position marker ahead of the driver.
The seats are all in good order, with a slight difference in colour between the seat and backrest in the front. The rear seat also has a couple of small tears to the backrest vinyl, only visible when looking through the rear window.
The original radio is present, but sounds come from a concealed unit via Bluetooth that the owner tells us works nicely. There is an amplifier unit mounted in the trunk. The trunk area is clean, with the spare wheel, and jack and brace present.
The Exterior
• Re-chromed rear bumper
• 15 inch Modular chromed steel wheels
• Attractive Metallic Green paint with black vinyl roof
When purchased from the second owner in the USA the seller was pleased to hear the Torino had spent much of the previous 20 years in a garage, only being used occasionally. The rear bumper had some damage caused by the owner’s wife who had inadvertently reversed into the garage wall. When it arrived in the UK the seller decided to have the damage repaired, and the whole bumper re-chromed at great expense. The rest of the exterior appears to be largely original with a good shine to the green paintwork.
There are a few light scratches and chips here and there as you might expect for a car of this age. There are a couple of notable chips to the paint at the rear and a scratch that has been touched in on one side, all in the photographs. Also photographed is some bubbling at the rear of the passenger side door sill. There is some bubbling under the roof vinyl at the top of the windscreen which could mean some corrosion lurks beneath.
There are a few light scratches and chips here and there as you might expect for a car of this age. There are a couple of notable chips to the paint at the rear and a scratch that has been touched in on one side, all in the photographs. Also photographed is some bubbling at the rear of the passenger side door sill. There is some bubbling under the roof vinyl at the top of the windscreen which could mean some corrosion lurks beneath.
The chrome is all good especially the front and rear bumpers that are excellent (and big!)
The wheels are later chromed Modular 15 inch steels with Eldorado Legend GT tyres that are partly worn but usable. The wheels are in good overall condition with some light pitting to the rims, but no curb damage. Originally the Torino would have had 14 inch wheels so these are definitely a nice upgrade.
All in all the exterior of Gran Torino is very presentable and it is an attractive car that gets plenty of attention, not least for its movie connections.
The Mechanics
• Original engine and transmission
• Transmission and torque converter rebuilt
• Rebuilt brakes with new master cylinder
Mechanically the Torino is reported to be in good health. The 302 cubic inch, 2-valve V8 starts easily and has a good, meaty rumble. Under the hood everything appears to be stock, with some evidence of new parts. The engine bay is tidy and dry with no signs of drips or leaks, although an oil leak was noted at its last MoT in 2018. The engine is the correct Ford blue, with what must be the original air cleaner with 302ci 2 valve sticker in place.
The FMX 3 speed transmission was rebuilt in July 2017, along with the torque converter at a cost of £2,600, and is reported to work perfectly. In September that year the brakes also received attention, with a new master cylinder, rear cylinders and brake shoes at a further cost of £712 with invoices on file. The front brakes are discs, which were standard on the Gran Torino. The car also has power steering fitted from new, that works well and takes the strain out of driving.
The FMX 3 speed transmission was rebuilt in July 2017, along with the torque converter at a cost of £2,600, and is reported to work perfectly. In September that year the brakes also received attention, with a new master cylinder, rear cylinders and brake shoes at a further cost of £712 with invoices on file. The front brakes are discs, which were standard on the Gran Torino. The car also has power steering fitted from new, that works well and takes the strain out of driving.
In the past 11 years of ownership the Torino has been driven about 7,000 miles, including one epic trip to the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 which it completed without a murmur. Reliable enough to have been loaned for various TV and film roles this looks to be a nicely original and useable example of a rare car. On driving the car this week the vendor noticed the fuel gauge didn’t appear to be working. This could be that the float has stuck and it may remedy itself with a good run, but the vendor asked us to mention.
Summary
An interesting alternative to the usual General Lee or Starsky & Hutch movie cars, the Gran Torino has real presence. Instantly recognisable by all generations as a movie icon, this car is seriously cool. To quote Mr Eastwood, (admittedly in a different movie!):
“Go on punk, do you feel lucky?” If so, then bid!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1972
- Make Ford
- Model Gran Torino
- Colour Green
- Odometer 78,243 Miles
- Engine size 4892
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Sussex
- Country United Kingdom
28
bids
- Ho•••• £15,250 09/05/22
- du•••• £15,000 09/05/22
- du•••• £14,750 09/05/22
- Ho•••• £14,500 09/05/22
- du•••• £14,250 09/05/22
- Ho•••• £14,000 09/05/22
- du•••• £13,750 09/05/22
- Ho•••• £13,500 09/05/22
- du•••• £13,250 09/05/22
- Ho•••• £13,000 09/05/22
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