Clean Survivor, Believed 97k Orig Miles, Well Doc'd, 289 V8, Auto, A/C, Very Pre

1968 Ford Torino Description

Originality is important and collectors are finally realizing that every car doesn't need to be a trailer queen. Instead, cars like this 1968 Ford Torino hardtop are finding new homes and greater appreciation from guys who love seeing the way the factory did it and appreciate the feeling of a car that hasn't been torn down and rebuilt. For that reason, this Torino remains a special car.

After an inspection by the American Fairlane Association, we can report that the paint on this Torino is all original (san the passenger rear quarter that had some touch-up years back), and as a result you get a correct car that still looks great but you aren't afraid to drive anywhere. Despite the years it still presents like a higher driver-quality car, and it looks suitably vintage, which contributes to this car's very appealing no-nonsense look – and that's what survivor cars are all about. Survival rates on 4-door Torinos must be incredibly low, and once you take a closer look at the paperwork you'd see how rare this car really is, but there's no denying that it's a handsome piece. Compared to the fastbacks and convertibles, it has a somewhat formal look accentuated by a refined use of chrome and the slick black roof. And there's just nothing like the sound of those doors closing on an original car, which also offers good gaps on all the panels, a tight feeling going down the road, and excellent factory chrome and brightwork that's been lovingly polished from day one by just four owners.

There's no question that the interior is entirely original, and while there's some wear in a few places, there's even more evidence that this car has been loved. Red upholstery works quite well with the black-on-red exterior paint, eliminating the problems with many late-60s color combinations. The front bench offers lots of space for road trips and you'd be shocked at how much more room a 4-door car really has out back, but that's the beauty of full-sized comfort. The four round instrument pods give it an aggressive look, even if the dials inside are only monitoring the basics, and it's worth noting that everything works, and that even the original AM radio is still in place. Options are rather sparse otherwise, but you do get factory A/C that's remarkably still blowing cold! The woodgraining on the dash and steering wheel still looks pretty good, the dash pad hasn't been completely destroyed by the sun, and while you can probably get reproduction upholstery, nothing quite measures up to OEM. Heck, even the driver's door panel doesn't even show much of a depression where the driver's elbow might have been resting over the past 52 years, although as we mentioned prior, the patina is certainly visible inside. There's also a massive trunk out back, and it's outfitted with an ancient bias-ply spare and jack set.

The 289 cubic inch V8 provides effortless performance and is unquestionably the car's original powerplant, although that's just an opinion because Ford didn't stamp VINs on their block. And the fact that this 4-door even carries a 289 V8, let alone the 3-speed it's married to, is incredibly rare and the result of a Ford strike from that era. Still wearing it's original Ford Blue engine enamel, it has a smooth confidence that makes this car a pleasure to drive at any speed and once again, there's an intangible feeling in a well-maintained original car that you can't restore into a project. Routine maintenance pieces have been conscientiously replaced over the years, keeping the car mechanically sharp, but it has never needed internal engine surgery and drives superbly as a result. The 3-speed manual is unobtrusive in operation, letting the 289's torque do most of the work, and with 2.79 gears in the 9-inch rear, this is the car you want on your next road trip. The underside is unquestionably original, but it's all incredibly solid, showing only surface scale and road grime - not cause for alarm. Wired hubcaps add an elegant look and carry 205/75/14 white-wall radials that finish off the look.

Extensively documented with a Marti Report, window sticker, original build sheet, a dealer's invoice, and lots of other original provenance, this awesome Torino survivor makes a great impression. Call today!