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For 1972 Ford rebuilt the Torino from the frame up, moved it onto a full perimeter chassis, softened the ride, and killed off the Cobra that had defined the car’s performance image. The result was heavier and slower, yet it became the most famous Torino of all, thanks to Hollywood and a decade of television. Read on to find out what changed under the skin, what was left of the muscle, and why this last generation still matters.
A 1972 Ford Torino Sport fastback shares the screen with Clint Eastwood in the film that would later borrow its name for the title — decades after Ford built it as one of six engine options ranging from a modest inline-six to a genuinely quick Cobra Jet 351. Consumer Guide named it a best buy the same year. Read on to find out how one mid-size Ford ended up in a Hollywood movie title.
New federal bumper regulations forced Ford to reshape the 1973 Torino’s front end, adding weight and trimming horsepower across the lineup. Despite the changes, Ford expanded the model range with the new Gran Torino Brougham and went on to outsell the rival Chevrolet Chevelle by more than 168,000 units for the year. Read on to find out how a heavier, slower redesign still managed to win the sales fight.