1976 Ford Torino

The intermediate-sized Ford Torino was produced from 1968 through 1976. The second generation of the Torino was introduced in 1970 and the third generation in 1972 and lasting until 1976. The final year of the Torino included the base, Gran Torino, and Brougham trim levels. The base Torino was offered as a hardtop coupe, hardtop sedan, and station wagon. The Gran Torino had a 2- and 4-door hardtop, a station wagon, and a squire wagon. The Brougham was strictly a hardtop coupe and hardtop sedan. The 'Elite' trim level on the Torino of 1975 became its own model for 1976, sharing a similar size but different styling to its Torino sibling.

The two-door body styles had a 114-inch wheelbase while the four-doors rested on a 118-inch platform.

The exterior styling of the 1976 Ford Torino was similar to the 1976 model year, gaining five new body colors and several new options including a bucket seat console on the Grand Torino two-door body styles, opera windows for the base Torino two-door, engine immersion heater, and a space-saver spare tire. The front styling had side-by-side quad round headlamps on either side of a one-piece plastic grille with a tiny crosshatch pattern, divided into six sections by vertical bars. There were clear vertical parking/signal lamps, 'Ford' block letters above the grille, and ventless curved side glass.

The base engine was the 351 cubic-inch, overhead-valve V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, and 154 horsepower at 3400 RPM. An optional 400 CID V8 brought horsepower to 180 bhp, and the 460 CID V8 produced 202 horsepower. A SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic was standard, as were the power front disc brakes and rear drums. Power steering and HR78x14 steel-belted radial tries were also part of the standard amenities.

Mechanically, fuel economy improved due to recalibration of the engine spark and back-pressure EGR, and lowering the rear axle ratio to 2.75:1.

The Broughams had a vinyl roof, opera windows, and wheel covers. Wagons received a three-way tailgate and locking storage compartment. Squire wagons had a power tailgate window, woodgrain paneling with side rails, and full wheel covers.

The total Ford Torino production for 1976 was 193,096 units, a slight decrease than the 1975 production figures.

Although the Torino was discontinued after 1976, the chassis continued to live on under the Ford LTD II, Ford Ranchero, Ford Thunderbird, and Mercury Cougar through the 1977 to 1979 model years.

Starsky and Hutch

ABC began airing Aaron Spelling's highly popular 'Starsky and Hutch' TV series on April of 1975 through May of 1979. It was a highly engaging and gritty police drama starring Paul-Michael Glaser and David Soul who portrayed the show's streetwise title characters, who helped keep Bay City clean with the help of informant Huggy Bear played by Antonio Fargas. Also playing a starring role was Starsky and Hutch's vehicle, a red mid-1970s Ford Gran Torino two-door hardtop with a white stripe running across the roof and down each flank, and slotted mag wheels. Every time 'Zebra 3' answered the dispatcher's call, the tire-squealing Torino was sent chasing down the back guys.

The show and the car became 1970s pop-culture icons with legions of fans to this day. Although the Forino was son phased out by Ford Motor Company soon after the show's debut, the popularity of the on-screen Torino spurred the release of Ford's own 'Starsky and Hutch' Limited Edition Gran Torino for 1976 in a special run of 1,000 units available at Ford dealer's showroom. All were built at Ford Motor Company's Chicago Assembly Plant in early spring 1976, and bear the DSO (District Sales Office) numbers 0022. It is estimated that fewer than 100 examples of the original 1,000 cars remain in existence today.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020