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The 1971 Ford Torino line-up is like a car buffet—it’s got everything from the basic two-door hardtop to the luxurious Brougham, which is fancy enough to make you feel like royalty with its optional hidden headlights and plush interior. Power options get a slight diet thanks to emissions laws, but don’t worry, the Torino Cobra still packs a punch with its Windsor 351 cu in engine. Just don’t expect record sales; it seems muscle cars had hit the gym a bit too hard this year!
The 1972 Ford Torino strutted in with exaggerated coke bottle curves and an egg crate grille that could make a waffle jealous. This model ditched its vent windows and strutted sleek, frameless glass. While it wasn’t about raw power anymore (RIP Cobra), it offered luxury touches like a posh Grand Torino and a sporty Gran Torino Sport. With a new chassis that could handle speed bumps like a champ, the Torino made riding around feel like a smooth criminal.
The Chevrolet Bel-Air G2 (1955-57), dubbed “The Hot One,” stirred the pot with its slick style and a V8 that guzzled oil like a thirsty cowboy. While Motor Trend praised its handling, the horn ring’s speedometer peekaboo was a conundrum. The 265 V8 was a first for Chevy since 1917, evolving into a 283 beast by ’57. With chrome galore, optional A/C, and “idiot lights,” it was a head-turner. Who knew evaluating gauges was so 1954? Enthusiasts still drool over these TriFives, the crowning jewel being the ’57 model.
Buick’s 1987 Grand National is the final hurrah, a sleek, black vision on the Regal platform. Among the 27,590 Turbo Regals, the lighter WE4 (Turbo T) stands out with its aluminum components. Even rarer is the GNX, with only 547 units boasting special interiors and performance tweaks straight from McLaren Performance Technologies. This “Darth Vader car” sports a turbocharged V6, achieving 0-60 in 4.3 seconds, proving V6s can rule the road, even when V8s were all the rage!
