Original Torino GT Marti Report

Chevelles are fine and GTOs get a lot of attention, but if you want to stand out from the typical muscle-car crowd, this 1969 Torino GT is the only alternative. With a strong-running 302 cubic inch V8, it's the Blue Oval's answer to the ubiquitous A-body. Better still, it's a bargain compared to its bowtie-wearing rivals and quite a bit rarer to boot! A bit sleeker and more aggressive compared to its hardtop siblings, this Torino GT... Sports Roof adds a lot of style to the vintage performance game. All the Ford hi-po styling cues are in place here, including the blacked-out hood scoop, C-stripes, GT grille, trunk moldings, rear pillar inserts, and styled GT wheels, so there's no mistaking it on the street. It was painted sometime this decade and it still looks very presentable and fresh, and the code Y Indian Fire paint shines up beautifully under the sun. There's a ton of sheetmetal in those quarter panels but it's all quite straight and crisply rendered and panel gaps are very good all around, a testament to a life lived clean all of these years. You don't see these cars all that often, so you'll find a lot of enjoyment in the little stuff, from the grille and the matching insert in the hood scoop, and the lovely tail panel and tight-fitting bumper. You also get black stripes that are a subtle, off-setting touch on the red Torino that works well on the stock GT wheel wrapped in white-letter radials. This car simply demands attention. Basic black is an elegant look for the interior, which features comfortable bucket seat up front and a rear bench with plenty of room. The seats are in very good condition, and we strongly suspect that everything inside is original to this car, so even though there are signs of use that typically accompany a survivor, it has an all-of-a-piece look that's very appealing. The instrument panel offers a quartet of round gauge pods seeming to grow out of the dash pad and the gauges inside are in good shape, with interesting silver faces that still show up pretty well behind lenses that are only a little cloudy. The original Philco AM radio is still in the dash, but it's not working so an upgrade might be in order, maybe by hiding it in the glove box to maintain originality inside the cabin. The door panels show Ford's intentions with the Torino (Grand Touring), and unlike the Mustang, this Torino is big enough to have a good-sized trunk without needing a fold-down rear seat. And speaking of the trunk, it's fitted with a reproduction plaid mat and has enough room to accommodate any travel plans. OK, the real reason this Torino GT is special can be found under the hood: a dependable and powerful 302 cubic inch V8. It's been fully detailed and probably looks better than new, because it has a bit more flash today. The OEM appearance is augmented by a set of blue Ford valve covers and a chrome, open-element air cleaner assembly, which also wears a reproduction decal proudly proclaiming its small block's prowess. The carburetor appears to be the original 2-barrel stock, so it starts easily and runs exactly as intended, with smooth torque that only vintage V8s seem to deliver. The C4 3-speed automatic transmission shifts well and the beefy 9-inch rear just shrugs it off and offers great high-speed cruising thanks to highway-friendly gears inside. A recent dual exhaust system with Glasspack-style mufflers gives it an awesome Ford small block sound and the underside remains in very good condition overall. Classic styled GT wheels offer an iconic sporting look and they're all wrapped in 215/70/14 white-letter radials that finish the vintage look. Documented with a Marti Report, this '69 Torino GT is a great muscle car for those tired of the same ol' same ol'. Who says Chevy guys get all the breaks? Call today!