1968 Gran Torino GT

boxhead · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 03:55 AM

I saw this at a swap meet in Alice this morning.

He had it listed at $6800 but also keen on offers,
Had a bit of rust but it was supplied with alot of new rust repair sections.
Advertised as a complete but partially dismantled car.

Aussie Mike · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 04:25 AM

Cool car! I'd have to say I'd rather build one of those than a Mustang. Just a bit different.

Cheers

Merv and Sharon · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 05:06 AM

Is that like the one in the famous movie?

boxhead · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 05:25 AM

I think the Clint Eastwood one was a later model, 1972?

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxhead

I think the Clint Eastwood one was a later model, 1972?

It was and I don't think they made the Grand Torino until 1970 or 1971. That looks more like a regular Torino GT which they made in 1968 and 1969. In fact in 1969 the only Torino that Ford made was the GT. The 69 Cobras were based on the 68 Fairlane body style and reworked and they were know just as Fairlane Cobras or Ford just advertised them as Cobras. My order sheet just says Fairlane Cobra on it.

Ron

Seagull81 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 05:55 AM

I had a '68 Torino GT Fastback with a 390 C.I., 4 barrel engine and C-6 trans. That was one kick a$$ car. I wish I had it back. It would go nicely with the Cobra.

OZCOBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 06:27 AM

Nearly bought this '70 about 18 mths ago......sitting in the St Louis Car Museum.....[IMG]

[/IMG]

mreid · #8 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 07:56 AM

It looks engine-less? I always loved that body style (Never cared for the Starsky and Hutch later versions). All 60's era Fords have rust and usually a lot more than you think. If you are considering it, bring dirty clothes, a magnet, mirror, and a flashlight. Crawl all over it and see if you feel even more excited once you complete your inspection. That's how I know the car is for me. However, I am notorious for buying rust buckets just for the challenge or repairing them, so beware!

BTW, When I worked for RCA, I spent a good bit of time in Alice Springs (early 80's). Do they still have the boat race (Henly Todd?). You Aussie's really know how to party!

Mark

Mark IV · #9 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron61

It was and I don't think they made the Grand Torino until 1970 or 1971. That looks more like a regular Torino GT which they made in 1968 and 1969. In fact in 1969 the only Torino that Ford made was the GT. The 69 Cobras were based on the 68 Fairlane body style and reworked and they were know just as Fairlane Cobras or Ford just advertised them as Cobras. My order sheet just says Fairlane Cobra on it.

Ron

The Gran (no D) Torino was introduced as a 1972 model replacing the Fairlane in North America. It came in three trim levels including the "GT" with the 351 Cleveland 4V as an option. Prior to that, the "Torino" was a trim level on the Fairlane series.

Ron61 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 08:37 AM

Mark,

Thanks for the correction on the Grand Torino. As for 1969 the only Torino offered here was the GT. The Cobra is a completely different animal. In the 69 registry for them it states that they are not Torino Cobras as so many people call them. There was a guy here that had a 69 Torino GT with the 390 and 3 twos on it and he was looking at my Cobra and could see the differences immediately. I think he said he had the engine built up quite a bit but when he saw the driveline on the Cobra he was really surprised. He said it is at least 1/3 larger than the one on his GT was and wanted to know what the little metal things were that was stuck to it all along the length in different spots. They are balance weights. The first car called a Torino Cobra by Ford was the 1970 with the 429 engine.

Ron

boxhead · #11 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 07:08 PM

Yep my error guys, it had 1968 Torino written on the windscreen, I made an assumption it should be Gran Torino (my only knowledge on them is from the movie), I am not a Ford guy

There was alot of rust, including bases of rear arches where the boot hinges are welded on.

At the same swap meet I had a sign out that I was keen on Valiant Chrysler stuff.
Toward the end a guy told me he has a couple and i am welcome to have a look with prospect of buying. So I went out there yesterday arvo, he had a fair bit of gear of all sorts.
A couple of early AP5 and AP6 cars (the 6 I reckon is pretty tidy under the dust), but I was more keen on the VJ Hardtop he had, I am going to see if we can work a price out on it.
These are affectionatly know as "Hippos" amongst the Aussie Val guys.

It has the wrong (later model) front sheet metal fitted, was a factory V8 auto car with power steer and air.
The original color was "True Blue Metalic" very close to guardsman blue and had a white Vinyl roof and white interior.
All fixed up would look like this one.

With white roof.
But I may go with this type of front sheet metal.

It would be one that sits in the back of shed and waits about 5 or so years.

OZCOBRA · #12 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 07:20 PM

QUOTE:....It would be one that sits in the back of shed and waits about 5 or so years!!!

Really do you think you have the room to gather any more projects??...

boxhead · #13 (**permalink**) 07-10-2011, 08:22 PM

If the shed fills up, I will take the horse stable back and start storing them in there again

I am trying to get rid of a few cars/trucks at the moment and want to keep Cobra, VH Goon, Wifes Charger, VG Pacer Hardtop and finaly this Hippo.

Selling FB/EK ute, Bedford truck, Dodge tipper truck, Charger and bits and pieces from other wrecks I have dragged home.
Also have Hillman Hawk that its fate is undecided (I have told the local veteran car club if anyone wants it for a Father/Son type project then it is free to them).

Rog246 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 12:43 AM

[
Also have Hillman Hawk that its fate is undecided (I have told the local veteran car club if anyone wants it for a Father/Son type project then it is free to them).[/quote]

Box just had a quick look on the net & I reckon it would make a great hotrod with trick paint & decent engine & gearbox, chopped roof etc

Would be a real 1 of a kind project

Rog

boxhead · #15 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 12:55 AM

I agree Rog, so much so that I asked a mate to play with Photoshop.
Mine

Roof line from Hirohito Merc.

Ideas coming together.

Pic of side line off the net.

Converted to coupe, and a simple roof chop only chopped C and B pillars, roof line pulled down without cutting A pillars (not changing roof line shape)

Chopped all pillars.

And a combination of Merc coupe and Hawk.

So yes, if it does not find a worthy home, it will be something I attempt, would run a 265 Hemi (Humber is part of Rootes group, bought out by Chrysler)

Just realised I said Hillman Hawk, it is infact Humber Hawk.

Rog246 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 03:30 AM

Okay Dave, when you said it was a Hillman Hawk I thought you meant a Hillman not a Humber which is what's in the photos

I went looking for the Hillman different car altogther. That being said the Humber would come up a treat & certainly very different
Rog

Rob. Smith · #17 (**permalink**) 07-12-2011, 03:46 AM

You gotta channel the body...look at the red model...front guards. much lower than the original....to tell the truth...there hasn't been many pommy cars turned into hot rods because they are all the wrong shape....one exception the Ford Thames (Anglia). One other later model seemed to look pretty good with big tyres etc.....the AC Ace ?