1976 Ford Elite

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

6G21SXXXXXX

Gasoline

INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION You are viewing my 1976 Ford Elite. I bought this car from the original owner in 2000. It has 53,496 original, documented (through maintenance records) miles as of the start of this auction. This Elite has its original 400 cu. in, (6.6L) “Cleveland” V8 engine ("S" code in the VIN) and three-speed automatic transmission, and is equipped with power steering and power (front disc/rear drum) brakes. A bit of history for context. The Elite was introduced in 1974 as a sub-model of the popular Ford Torino line. In 1975, based on good sales figures, it became its own model separate from the Torino lineup. Intended to compete in the mid-size personal luxury car segment (against the Chevy Monte Carlo and Chrysler Cordoba), the Elite was only available in a coupe. Its classic “long hood, short deck” design, standard “opera” windows, and a whole host of available options, the Elite was instantly embraced by buyers in that segment. For the 1977 model year, the Elite was discontinued as Ford downsized its full-sized cars (the "big" Thunderbirds ended after 1976, and for 1977 the T-Bird was built on the same platform that the Elite was on in 1976). For a lot of reasons, the Elite still enjoys a loyal following to this day. My Elite runs and drives excellently, and is completely rust-free. The original owner took meticulous care of this Elite (extensive original maintenance records and invoices, that show mileage and work performed, will come with the car). The original dealer invoice shows the options ordered, with the following worth noting: the 400 cu. in. “Cleveland” small block V8, air conditioning (system intact but no cold air), AM/FM stereo radio, interior décor group (additional gauges, uplevel interior trim, etc.), factory trunk dress, dual remote mirrors, wire wheel covers, and the ultra-rare handling package (higher rated shocks and springs, stabilizer bars, and wider 15x6.5 wheels). The tires are matching 225/75/15 radials with 90%+ tread remaining. This Elite’s interior is also in outstanding, original condition – the carpets, seats (the seats are vinyl, not leather as many people mistake them for), dash, and headliner (small repair about size of a nickel near rear view mirror) are very good to excellent condition. All electrical systems work fine. The vehicle was refinished once in its original factory Black color by the original owner the same year I bought it and remains in excellent condition as the pictures indicate. The vinyl roof is original and also in exceptional condition. All glass and chrome trim parts are in very good shape and consistent with the age of this well-maintained vehicle. Again, there is no rust anywhere on this Elite and no evidence of previous rust-through, repair, or damage. This 1976 Elite is one of the fine remaining examples of the limited-production model and one of the cars Ford sadly discontinued "before its time". A three-year production run of very strong sales, made possible by its classic good looks, attractive price, and available options, the Ford Elite still enjoys a loyal following among a dedicated group of current and former owners. My Elite is almost all original, low documented mileage, and has the rare 400 small block plus the even rarer "handling package" option. I sure hope it finds a new home with an owner that will continue to preserve it for another 35 years. AUCTION SUCCESS CONSIDERATIONS I have established a reasonable reserve for this 1976 Ford Elite which will not be provided while the auction is running. Please consider bidding during the auction to the extent and level you deem appropriate and based on whatever factors are important to you. If reserve is not met, I may provide Second Chance Offers through the Ebay system, but note that this is only possible with people who actually bid during the auction. If you get such an Offer, it will be for a 24-hour duration and of course please feel free to write me for confirmation and I will provide a phone number at which I can be reached. This also means that if you were not a bidder, contact with me through the Ebay system after the auction ends is not likely to result in a successful transaction. Last, please note that I reserve the right to end this auction early at my sole discretion. I am sorry in advance but the frequency of non-paying, unresponsive bidders makes it necessary to require the following: I truly appreciate anyone's legitimate interest in my auction that leads to responsible bidding, that in turn forms the basis for a potentially successful transaction. However, please DO NOT BID AT ALL if you do not have any required financing, insurance, storage, customs and duties information, spouse's permission ... whatever it is you need ... IN PLACE to allow you to honor your winning bid. Further, bidders with less than 5 (five) feedbacks will have their bids immediately canceled, no matter what the amount, unless you contact me in advance of bidding. Bidders outside North America (anywhere other than the US, Canada, or Mexico “mainland”) are welcome to bid, but also must email me before bidding. INSPECTION AND WARRANTY INFORMATION Any and all relevant and appropriate questions you submit will be answered promptly and as thoroughly as possible by email only. Again, given that this obviously is a used vehicle please do not have unreasonable expectations as to its current condition or future condition under your ownership. If you require it, please make all pre-bid inspections (at the sole expense of the bidder) before committing to purchase the car. Inspections can be done by appointment only until 48 hours before the auction’s end. Although I believe I have described this vehicle accurately, please note that this vehicle is sold "as-is, where-is” with no express or implied warranties or guarantees of any kind. With the required legal statements provided, I am a reasonable person and I know potential buyers may not be able to see this car before bidding. If the winning bidder was unable do a pre-bid inspection and then determines that, after submitting a timely deposit but before taking delivery, I did not accurately represent the car in some significant and obvious way, I will try to work it out with you. As reasonable people, if we cannot figure something out, I will immediately refund your entire deposit and we can both move on without any further obligation to each other. Please recognize that this is not an invitation for potential bidders to skip your own pre-bid investigations and is not an opportunity for me and the winning bidder to try later to negotiate away our respective contractual responsibilities. PAYMENT AND STORAGE A $500 deposit is required from the winning bidder, due electronically via PayPal within 24 hours after the auction ends, to hold the vehicle. I will not be accepting trades. Full payment is due within 7 days of auction end via cash or certified bank check (drawn on a major US bank). I can hold the vehicle in indoor storage for 15 days at no charge to the winning bidder after the auction (the charge is $15.00 per day after 15 days). Thank you for viewing my auction. On Oct-01-10 at 10:14:53 PDT, seller added the following information: I am adding this in response to a question on the engine in this car. Please..nobody write me to debate this but I am providing enough information such that anyone concerned can do their own followup. All available information indicates the 351C ("C" for Cleveland Engine Plant) was not available after 1974. It may have been in Elites in 1974 but I do not believe so. It certainly was not available in 1976 per the 1976 Elite spec sheets (showing all available powertrains/options/interiors, etc.,). The 351M ("M" for Modified, or "M" for Michigan Flat Rock Foundry starting in 1975) was called such because it had a "Cleveland" block and heads, and a "Windsor" engine crankshaft and related components - hence it was "modified" to produce more power than the ordinary 351W ("W" for Windsor Canada Engine Plant). Last, technically, one could call the 400 engine a "modified" engine because it was basically a "stroked" 351C with some Windsor componentry (not the crank) in it like the 351M. Long story short, all Ford was trying to do with the 351M and the 400 was keep good fuel economy and maintain better low end torque for the 4,000 lb+ cars than the 351W engines could provide. They accomplished that and a fair bit of confusion as well. A 351W was most common engine in the Elites in any year. In 1976, the other available,optional engines ...the 351M, 400, and 460 big block.. are noticeably more potent in an Elite..and you can tell this by the seat of your pants. This Elite has the optional "400" small block engine as named in the 1976 Elite marketing and technical materials. Again, there's plenty here for anyone to do their own followup to the extent they are interested.