1976 Ford Elite

The 'Elite' name was first used by Ford for the 1975 model year when it was part of the Gran Torino lineup. For 1976 it became its own model with a hardtop coupe body style and powered by a 351 cubic-inch V8 engine that was shared with the LTD and Torino. Optional 400 CID and 460 CID V8's were available with 180 and 202 horsepower respectively. The standard transmission was a three-speed SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic, and power steering and brakes were also standard. The pillarless two-door hardtop body rested on a 114-inch wheelbase and featured a protruding grille with 16 holes in a crosshatch pattern. There were single round headlamps in square housings with bright bezels, with vertical parking/signal lamps in front fender tip extensions. The bodyside molding that traversed the length of the car was the same color as the vinyl roof. In the back were wraparound tail lamps with bright bezels and integral side marker lights. There were two small side-by-side opera windows and a small quarter window.

Six exterior colors were new for 1976, and a standard gold vinyl roof replaced the former brown color. Both full vinyl and half-vinyl roofs were available.

Standard equipment included front bumper guards, heater/defroster, clock, full wheel covers, DirectAire ventilation, and bright window moldings. New options included a space-saver spare tire, AM/FM stereo search radio, automatic parking brake release, engine immersion heater, electric decklid release, and turbine-spoke cast-aluminum wheels.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020