1973 Ford Torino

The midsize Ford Torino and its Mercury Montego stablemate were given a major redesign for 1972 along with body-on-frame construction while retaining the popular long-hood, short-deck styling. Trim ranges included the basic Torino, the Gran Torino, and the performance-oriented Gran Torino Sport which succeeded the former Torino GT. The updated Torino line proved popular with buyers as it outsold archrival Chevrolet's Chevelle for the first time in 1972 and then continued virtually unchanged as America's best-selling midsize car for 1973. Although luxury and practicality had become paramount during the 1970s, the Gran Torino Sport proved that performance was still relevant.

The previous generation of the Torino, produced in 1970 and 1971, rested on a 117-inch wheelbase (114-inches for the wagon) and had an overall length of 206.2-inches (209 inches for the wagon). The styling introduced in 1972, continuing through 1976, relied on a 114-inch wheelbase for its two-door body styles, and a 118-inch platform for its four doors and wagons. Many of the popular design cues from the previous generation were carried over, including the coke bottle styling, complemented by a full-width argent egg-crate grille that surrounded the headlights on the 'base' Torinos. They had unique front bumpers and a hood that was different from the Gran Torino models. The windshield had a 60-degree rake angle, the A-pillars and roof were thinner, and the front fenders were flared around the wheel openings. In the back was a full-width rear bumper with inset rectangular tail lights with pointed ends. The 1973 Torinos were devoid of vent windows due to the standard 'DirectAire' ventilation system.

Federal safety regulations prompted Ford designers to bestow a new front fascia on the 1973 Torino as a new regulation mandated that all cars manufactured after September 1, 1972, must be able to take a 5 mph hit to the front without damaging safety-related components. The rear bumpers had to meet a 2.5 mph requirement for 1973 only, and since the Torino satisfied this requirement, no change was needed from the 1972 model. They did, however, have an impact strip, bumper guards, and new brackets that increased the space between the body and the bumper. A large square 5 mph energy-absorbing bumper replaced the previous chrome bumper of the 1972 Torino, adding approximately an inch to the vehicle's overall length plus at least 100 pounds. The grille opening was more rectangular than the 1972 version and rested above the full-width wrap-around bumper and was flanked by the quad-round headlights. the Torino and Gran Torinos models continued to have separate grille designs, with the Gran Torino's having a more rectangular shape with the parking lamps horizontally positioned in the grille, and the quad headlights had a chrome bezel surround. The Torino, Gran Torino, and the Gran Torino Brougham all shared the same hood, which now had a squared-off leading edge that followed the fascia's lines.

The 250 cubic-inch inline-six-cylinder engine was standard on all Torinos except the Sport and the station wagons which used the 2-barrel 302 CID V8. The inline-6 had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, a Motorcraft single-barrel carburetor, seven main bearings, 8.0:1 compression, and produced 88 (net) horsepower at 3,200 RPM. The 302 CID V8 had overhead valves, five main bearings, a Motorcraft two-barrel carburetor, and 135 (net) horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The 351 CID V8 'Windsor' produced 156 (net) horsepower with two-barrel carburetion and the 351 CID 'Cleveland' V8 produced 154 (net) hp at 4,000 RPM. The 400 CID '335 Series' V8 produced 163 (net) hp, the 429 CID '385 Series' V8 had 201 (net) hp, and the 460 CID '385 Series' V8 (Police Package only) produced 219 (net) hp. All of the engines had overhead valves and decreased 8.0:1 compression which lowered the output from the previous year.

Transmission options included a three- and four-speed manual, and a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic. The optional four-speed was priced at $200 and the Cruise-O-Matic at $211. The 351 CID 'Cleveland' V8 was a $44 option, the 400 CID 'Cleveland' V8 added $127 to the base price, and the 429 CID V8 was an additional $99. The addition of the 302 CID V8, instead of the standard inline-6, added approximately $95 to the base price.

The 'base' Torino was offered as a four-door sedan priced at $2,700, a two-door hardtop coupe at $2,730, and a station wagon at $3,200. The sedan was the most popular with 37,524 units sold, followed by 28,005 of the hardtop coupe and 23,982 of the station wagon. Standard equipment included chrome windshield, rear window and rain gutter moldings, all-vinyl seat and door trim, floor mats, the 250 CID inline-6 paired with a three-speed manual transmission, hubcaps, and high-back bench seats. The station wagon came standard with a three-way tailgate and power front disc brakes.

The Gran Torino was the top trim level for the 1973 Torino and was offered as a four-door sedan priced at $2,890, a hardtop coupe at $2,920, a station wagon at $3,345, and a squire station wagon at $3,560. The two-door hardtop coupe was the most popular with 138,962 examples built, followed by 98,404 of the sedan, 60,738 of the station wagon, and 40,023 of the squire station wagon. The Gran Torino came standard with carpeting, cloth and vinyl trim on seats and interior door panels, chrome trim on the foot pedals, a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel, and dual note horns. Additional styling elements included moldings on the deck lid, wheel well, and lower bodyside. They also had manual front disc brakes. The Gran Torino station wagons added Deluxe pleated vinyl interior trim, the 302 CID V8, wheel covers, and woodgrain appliques on the tailgate, instrument panel, and bodysides. The Squire station wagon was trimmed similarly to the Brougham.

The Gran Torino Sport included a fastback coupe and hardtop coupe priced at approximately $3,155. A total of 51,853 examples were fastback coupes and 17,090 were the hardtop coupe. Standard equipment included the 302 CID V8, a unique grille, color-keyed dual racing mirrors, and pleated, all-vinyl trim. A unique emblem was displayed in the grille and on the trunk lock cover. The laser stripe ran higher along the body side and had a slightly different shape.

The Gran Torino Brougham was offered as a sedan priced at $3,050 and a two-door hardtop coupe at $3,070 and their production totals were included in the Gran Torino's production. These well-equipped and luxurious models had nylon cloth fabrics and vinyl similar to leather. Standard amenities included an electric clock, deluxe steering wheel, bright pedal pad trim, a dual-note horn, a front bench seat with a fold-down armrest, and wood-grained trim on the instrument panel.

Ford had introduced the Torino in 1968 and it would remain in production for a decade, ending in 1976.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2022