The 1971 Torino was part of the short-lived second generation, which remained in production for just two years.
Ford released only minor revisions for the 1971 model year, with the GT remaining an intriguing configuration for people looking for more adrenaline behind the wheel. The Brougham still served as the more luxurious sibling, so overall, the Torino lineup had a little something for everybody.
Production for this model year surpassed 326,000 units, with the GT convertible becoming one of the rarest configurations. It accounted for only 1,600 units.
The Torino GT in these photos doesn’t come with a removable top, boasting the SportRoof body style (the GT was available in 1972 only as a convertible and 2-door SportRoof).
You can easily tell the car is far from a perfect 10, though it’s also far from a rust bucket condition. It has likely been sitting for several years, though eBay seller classicmuscleparts doesn’t share specifics. The occasional rust problems suggest this is the case, and the fresh air under the hood could be a sign that the Torino previously served as a donor for another project.
The 1971 Torino GT came standard with a 302 2-barrel unit, but the owner says this example rolled off the assembly lines with a 351 Cleveland V8. It’s no longer in the car, so the next buyer will decide if the Torino returns to the correct engine or receives a hefty upgrade to become a true “GT.”
Otherwise, the car comes with great news. I can spot the typical rust suspects, but I must admit I’m impressed with the interior. It exhibits the usual problems on the seats, but everything appears to be there in shape, allowing for an easy restoration.
The Marti report confirms it’s a rare Torino. According to these numbers, the car is one of just 2,431 models that rolled off the assembly lines with the Grabber Blue paint and one of 1,195 units with this paint and trim combo.
The Marti report also confirms the car left the factory with laser stripes, Belted White sidewall tires, bumper guards, power steering, AM Radio, and sports wheel covers. The vehicle also comes with the hood scoop (which was installed by Ford specifically for the looks, as it wasn’t functional), though it’s unclear if it was a factory-fitted part or installed by a previous owner as an aftermarket upgrade.
The selling expectations couldn’t be too high, considering the missing engine and the lack of a transmission. The seller knows this, so they ask $3K for the car, though they also enabled the Make Offer button in case someone wants this Torino GT but has another deal in mind. Interested buyers can find it in Galway, New York.