What the Hell Does Everyone Want With My Gran Torino?

Walt Kowalski was a Korean War veteran who was a retired worker at the Ford plant in Detroit. He owned a 1976 Ford Torino and was proud of it. If you aren't familiar with the movie Gran Torino you should check it out. If you aren't familiar with the car, read on.

Ford initially created the Torino as an upscale trim for the mid-sized Fairlane. In 1968 the turned it into its own make and essentially used it to replace the Fairlane. While the car is basically the same as a Mercury Montego, it was marketing to a slightly different audience.

When introduced, the Torino was available in five different styles. There were two door hard tops, fastbacks and convertibles. Buyers could also choose a four door sedan or station wagon. The standard engine was a 200 horse power inline six cylinder but there were five other options as well ranging from the 289 Windsor V 8 all the way up to the muscular 428 cube FE V 8. The engine could be mated to a three speed or four speed manual as well as a three speed automatic.

The first generation of the Torino ran for only two years seeing just minor cosmetic changes in 1969. In 1970 Ford introduced the second generation of the Torino and brought with it some significant styling changes.  The base engine, which changed in 1969, was a 250 cubic inch inline six. Four other options were available ranging from a 302 Windsor V 8 up to the 429 cube 385 Series V 8. One of the three optional transmissions was also still available.

The last year of the second generation was 1971 and saw very few changes. Our beautiful Grabber Blue feature car is a 1971 two door fastback GT model that was built in Atlanta. This is also the NASCAR inspired King Cobra edition. It sports the 351 cubic inch Cleveland V 8 that was capable of cranking out 300 horse power. It also has the three speed automatic transmission.

In 1972 Ford introduced the third generation of the Torino and with it came the Gran Torino and the Gran Torino Sport . Though the various options changed little, there were significant styling changes for the third generation. The biggest change was moving from the unit body construction of the first two generations to body on frame construction. Also, in 1973 Ford added a 460 cubic inch V 8 engine option.

A 1975 Gran Torino became a sensation as the co-star in the hit TV series Starsky and Hutch. Special editions were turned out and bought up. But even with this, Ford saw the need for change and 1976 was the Torinos last year.

The Torino became a used car and then something of a collector car. But then in 2008 Clint Eastwood would bring it to life in his film. So now you know what the hell everyone wants with this car.