1970 Ford Torino GT Convertible

The re-designed Ford Torino wore in-house, aircraft-inspired styling by Bill Shenk. It had a long, well-proportioned hood with a short deck stylistic theme and complimented by aggressive front treatment. In comparison to the 1968-69 models, the 1970 Torino was lower, longer, and wider.

Buyers had the option of selecting several body styles, trim levels, engine options, and mechanical configurations. The base option was the Torino Cobra, available only as a 2-door hardtop, and the Torino GT, which included a 2-door hardtop and convertible configuration. Engine choices included the 300-hp 351 V-8 and 360-hp 429 Cobra Jet, all the way up to the 429 Super Cobra Jet with 375 rated horsepower. Transmissions included a three-speed automatic and four-speed manual; a heavy-duty Traction-Lok or Detroit Locker helped send the power produced from the engine to the rear wheels.

Ford produced just 3,939 examples of the Torino GT Convertible. Combined sales of the Torino Cobra and Torino GT accounted for 68,433 units, making the convertibles a rare sight in modern times.

This particular example is a 429 Cobra Jet-powered 1970 Torino GT convertible that is a factory-original example fitted with Ram Air and retains its original top and original carpets. The car was built at Ford's Lorain, Ohio assembly plant on March 26, 1970, five days ahead of schedule. It was released on March 31st and sold to its first owner on April 30, 1970, via Litaker Ford Inc. of Catonsville, Maryland.

The car has the 429 Cobra Jet V-8 with Ram Air induction and a C-6 automatic transmission with a 3.00:1 Traction-Lok rear axle. It left the factory in white with Body Side Tape Stripes, Dark Red Turin Knit/Vinyl Bucket seats, an electric clock, Visibility Light Group, a console, power windows, power front disc brakes, power steering, a power top with glass backlight, Selectaire A/C, AM/FM stereo radio, hideaway headlamps, full tinted glass, and Argent styled steel wheels.

The car has been awarded AACA Historical Preservation of Features (HPOF) status at the 2006 Eastern Region Fall Meet at Hershey, Pennsylvania.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2015