1971 Ford Torino

500 Spring Promotional Model Coupe

302

Automatic

Clear

Gasoline

This auction is for my 1971 Ford Torino 500. This is one of the rarer configurations, this particular car being a halo-roofed car in anti-establish mint (green) color. It is a numbers matching car, with the original drive train relatively unaltered. A bit of history of the car: I bought this car during the fall of 2008 from a gentleman who was given power of attorney of the cars owner. It had 33,000 original miles and was garage kept, and the owner had purchased that car new. It has never seen snow and retained the original belts, hoses, and fluids. I drove it home and it was obvious that the car did need to have some of those aged original components replaced to make it run and drive up to it's potential. It was a very untouched survivor. I proceeded to completely overhaul the car where attention was due over the next four years, fixing it in the off season and driving it regularly during the spring and summer. The car has racked up nearly 30,000 miles of trouble-free driving including several trips to car events in Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia. I also gave it a regular 30 mile a day commute to work and home and the car has been a total blast not to mention a hit with daily commuters who seems to be a little envious at times. Exterior The car received a complete base/clear repaint in January 2012. It was stripped of trim and minor dents were repaired. The inside of the door jambs and trunk jambs were repainted as well. The vinyl top was removed and the roof was painted a satin green for a more up-to date look. All the trim was repainted or polished before reinstalled. The car was very solid so rust repairs were limited to a hole the size of a end of a pencil eraser. The car was cut and buffed and looks great, a very nice driver quality repaint, maybe an 8.5 out of 10. At the same time, the door and trunk seals were replaced and the back glass pulled out and resealed. Engine The car retains its original 302 2V engine. The cooling system has been redone with an aluminum radiator, all new hoses and thermostat and water pump. The engine as new valve cover gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, reman 2 bbl carburetor, HEI type distributor, Ford Motorsport wires, new oil sender, temp sensor and open element air cleaner. I had plans for a wicked 351W stroker motor but the 302 runs like a top and doesn't use a drop of oil. It has never been apart other than a few gaskets. It has a lot of life left so why mess with what works so well? It has an Optima red top battery and new cables too. Transmission The car has a C-4 automatic transmission. I installed a B&M shift improver kit and changed the type F fluid and filter. It shifts great, no problems there. Exhaust I had a new 2 1/4 exhaust bent and installed in December. It has Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers and is ran and exits in the stock locations. I had the best exhaust shop in the area do it and you couldn't ask for a better job. Suspension/Brakes/Wheels These cars drove and handled poorly by modern car standards, so I made the most of it with replacement parts. A complete PST suspension kit was installed with poly-graphite bushings, KYB gas-adjust shocks, huge Addco sway bars front and rear, new front spring perches, all ball joints and tie rod ends, idler arm, etc.The car was upgraded from front drum brakes to Mach I power disc brakes with performance brake pads and rotors, new wheel bearings and races. I also converted the car to power brakes with a new brake booster and master cylinder. The wheels and tires are ARE Magnum 500s 17x8 and 17x9.5 and Nittos. The tires are very wide and are the dimensions are the same as the 1970 Fairlane Popular Hot Rod project car as I used them as a reference. The car handles as well as my Porsche 928S did. I do have the original 14x7 wheels with hub caps and trim rings too. Interior The interior is original except for a new headliner and a color matched dash cap. It does have a summit gauge pod to monitor the the vitals, and a hidden stereo that will play an iPod or similar device. It's in great shape. This car has been meticulously maintained and every repair and upgrade was done with care and skill. This car would be a great car to drive and enjoy or would be a great basis to that wicked engine/transmission/rear end combo since everything else is ready to go. I hate to sell the car but am ready for something different since I no longer drive the car on a regular basis. I may consider a trade for a pre-1960 American car, but am not looking for anything else. Please contact me for questions.