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 Dan Vaughan

Gran Torino Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: 6G30H200857

Aaron Spelling's highly popular 'Starsky and Hutch' TV series was on ABC from April 1975 through May 1979. Paul-Michael Glaser and David Soul portrayed the show's streetwise title characters, who helped keep Bay City clean with the help of informant Huggy Bear played by Antonio Fargas. Perhaps the biggest star of the show was Starsky's ride, a mid-1970s Ford Gran Torino two-door hardtop with a distinctive white stripe running across the roof and down each flank, and riding on slotted mag wheels.

The Gran Torino was a 1970s pop-culture icon with legions of fans to this day. While the mid-size Torino model line-up was slated to be phased out by Ford Motor Company soon after the show's debut, the popularity of the on-screen Starsky and Hutch cars 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. They were all built at Ford Motor Company's Chicago Assembly Plant in early spring 1976, and bear the DSO (District Sales Office) numbers 0022. Currently it is believed that fewer than 100 of the original 1,000 cars remain in existence today.

This Ford-built 1976 Starsky and Hutch Limited Edition Gran Torino is one of the 1,000 examples built. It is finished in Red and White stripes and has a black interior. It has a 409 cubic-inch crate engine with Edelbrock fuel injection, Aluminum radiator, and an automatic transmission. The battery has been relocated to the trunk. The brakes have been upgraded to 4-wheel cross-drilled discs. The suspension has also been upgraded. The original wheels remain at all four corners. There are aftermarket gauges and many other unique touches.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe

No every NASCAR team gets the headlines. 'Junie' Donlavey fielded stock cars at the series' highest level most years from 1950 to 2004. Follmer, Grant, Lorenzen, Yarbrough, Isaac, and Glotzbach were just a few of the 67 drivers to pilot his race cars. Donlavey found success with driver Dick Brooks. They placed in the top ten in Winston Cup points in 1976, 1977, and 1978.

Forgotten for more than thirty years, this Torino was found in a Davidson lean to. Its owner was pleased and surprised to find Brooks' red, white and blue livery when he scraped off multiple layers of paint.

Gran Torino Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: 6H30H224122

This 1976 Ford Gran Torino 2-Door Hardtop was born with a 351-2V Cleveland V8 engine. It was finished in silver metallic paint (Ford #5299-A) with a black Levant half vinyl roof, a black vinyl bench seat, and an FMX automatic transmission. It had the Appearance Protection Group, tinted glass, dual remote control racing mirrors, and an AM radio. It rides on HR78 x 14 White Sidewall Radial tires. It is one of 2,769 examples with this paint code, 14,264 with these engine and transmission codes, and 8,014 with opera windows.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1968 Ford introduced the mid-sized vehicle, the Torino, which stayed in production until 1976. The Torino replaced the Fairlane, although the name persisted on the base level models but was given different trim than the Torino versions. The Torino was available as a two-door fastback or convertible, four-door sedan or station wagon, hardtop, and as a pickup, similar to the El Camino.

The Torino was actively raced in the NASCAR circuit. In 1969, Ford introduced the Torino Talladega. This limited-edition vehicle was given an aerodynamic body style which they then used on the NASCAR circuit.

In 1970 Ford introduced the Torino Cobra complete with a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet engine. Power was transferred to the rear wheels courtesy of a four-speed manual gearbox. The suspension was upgraded and a dual-exhaust unit was added. Bucket seats continued the performance montage in the interior. A Traction-Lok limited-slip differential was optional. A 'shaker' hood scoop could be ordered as optional equipment which helped the engine breathe at high speeds. The Torino Brougham version offered luxurious amenities which offered a sporty appearance and creature comforts.

During the early 1970's, the Torino was updated giving it an aggressive look and modern appeal. For 1971, the look was all-new and good enough to capture Motor Trend's coveted 'Car of the Year' award. The GT version had hidden headlights, the only Torino to have such a design. For 1972, the grille was enlarged; vent windows were removed from four-door models and the convertible option was no longer offered. The abbreviation 'GT' was now labeled as Gran Torino.

Not only was 1971 through 1972 a big year for redesigns, the engine options saw drastic changes. In 1971 the Torino could be purchased with a wide range of engines that included a 351 Cleveland small-block and a Ford 429 cubic-inch engine. The performance could be further increased with the adoption of a Thunder Jet, Cobra Jet or Super Cobra Jet package. As government regulations and emissions standards were becoming stricter, the muscle car era was coming to an end. For 1972, only the 31 Cleveland eight-cylinder engine was available, however, still available in Cobra Jet configuration.

In 1973, to comply with government and safety regulations, the front end was given a larger bumper. This trend continued in 1974 when the front was modified to make the vehicle safer. The performance era had come to an end and consumers were expecting a new breed of vehicles that kept manufacturers struggling to meet these demands. The trend was shifting from larger, performance machines to fuel-efficient, safe, economical, and luxurious vehicles. This was true with the Torino which saw the performance options fade away from year-to-year, and more luxury offerings being presented.

The TV series 'Starsky and Hutch' drove a 1975 Gran Torino adorned in bright red colors and white body stripes.

In 1976 the production of the Torino ceased and was replaced by the LTD.

by Dan Vaughan