model year 1972

Even more stunning appearance and star of the movie “Gran Torino” with Clint Eastwood. Here are a few sample pictures of the respective models:

>>> Model overview <<<

In 1972, the Torino was redeveloped from scratch. The new Torino emphasized the long bonnet and the cola bottle design more than ever before. The most radical change was a big grille on the Gran Torino. He looks like a great killer whale, says the car journalist Tom McCahill. The Gran Torino has chrome surroundings around the headlights. The front looked more aggressive, the windshield had a 60-degree angle. The A pillar and the roof were thinner. The rear bumper seemed beefier, the thin, rectangular tail lights are edged. The windows were frameless and the small triangular windows were no longer installed. Inside the Torino new door handles were installed, which do not protrude so far.

The model selection has been reduced to 9. The convertible was completely discontinued, the sedan and the sedan without B-pillar was replaced by the sedan with the so-called “pillared hardtop”. Practically the appearance of a sedan without B-pillar, but with built-in B-pillar. The name “pillared hardtop” was a pure marketing story. The models without B-pillar no longer met certain safety requirements. The doors were frameless. The rest remained, including the “SportsRoof”, so the hatchback. “Torino” remained the basic model, the “Torino 500” was replaced by the “Gran Torino”. The Brougham was no longer a model of its own, but a variant of the Gran Torino. The “Torino GT” was also abolished and replaced by the “Gran Torino Sport”. The Torino and Gran Torino were available as coupe and sedan. The Gran Torino Sport was offered as a coupe and coupe with hatchback. The station wagon was available as “Torino”, “Gran Torino” and as “Gran Torino Squire”. The Cobra models were discontinued because the Torino should be more luxury and not performance.

The biggest change in the Torino was the change from the “unit construction” (block system) to the “body on frame construction” (chassis on chassis). This was, among other things, achieved that the car could be better isolated and it is quieter inside. Spiral springs were also used. The track is 2 inches wider than at the ’71 models. For the first time stabilizers were offered at the rear. Disc brakes in front were standard for all Torinos. A brake booster was also offered, this was the 429er and the station wagon series. The power steering has also been redesigned.

Another big change were two different wheelbases for 2- and 4-door. Since 1968, General Motors has begun to use a smaller wheelbase for 2-doors. The Torino uses a 114-inch wheelbase for 2-door cars and a 118-inch wheelbase for the 4-door, the station wagon and the Ranchero (the Torino range PickUp). Not only the size grew, the weight has to suffer as well.

Base engine remained the 250cu six-cylinder. In the Estate and the Gran Torino Sport was the 302-2V Small Block V8 standard. In addition, a 351 Cleveland Cleveland gasifier and 351 Cleveland twin carburetor, the Cleveland Cobra Jet 4-speed carburetor, a 400cu twin carburetor and the 429 carburetor carburetor were on the program. The 400-2V was new in the program and is of the “335er engine family” like the Cleveland. The Cobra Jet engine was no longer a high-performance engine as the days before, but designed more for torque. This was the result of stricter emissions and the requirement for lower fuel consumption.

With the 351 Cobra Jet engine the Torino could not take up the performance of the old 429 Cobra Jet Torino. However, it offered a number of innovations to increase performance that did not exist in the ’70s and ’71s. This was a special intake manifold, a modified camshaft, other valve springs, a 750 CFM Motorcraft carburetor and a 2.5 inch twin exhaust system. It was the only engine with twin exhaust and the only engine, whit an offered 4-speed manual transmission. The Ram Air was still in the program and was offered for the 351 Cobra Jet and the 429er. The 351 Cobra Jet was tested with a 3:50:1 ratio from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.

The interior has been completely redesigned, including a significantly improved instrument panel. There was a lot of ABS plastic used. There are 5 equal sized instrument clusters installed. Speedometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge along with various warning lights, a clock (optional) and a display for “DirectAire” ventilation. For the V8 models, the package “Instrumentation Group” was on offer. It also included an oil pressure gauge, an ammeter and the clock. The seats were also redesigned. The front seat has integrated headrests for the two outer seats. The back seat also offered head protection thanks to the high backrest. The “breathing” vinyl was still in the program.

The Gran Torino Sport was offered as a coupe and coupe with hatchback. All models had the “Hood Scoop” installed on the hood, which was very rarely equipped with the real function “Ram Air”. Two-colored exterior mirrors, sport-shaped door panels and the “laser stripe” on the side were also installed. This was available in 4 colors. New in the program was the so-called “Rally Equipment Group” package. It included the “Instrumentation Group”, harder and tighter suspension, G70-14 tires with white letters and a Hurst shifter for the 4-speed gearbox. The Rallye Equipment Group package was only available for 351 and 429 models. However, the suspension was still more comfortable than in the previous models with comparable suspension.

Torino station wagons were much larger than their predecessors. They were 2 inches longer at the Torino and 6 inches longer at the Gran Torino. The wheelbase was increased by 4 inches, the width by 3 inches. As a result, unfortunately, the weight has increased significantly. However, the load volume was a gigantic 2,364 liters. The still offered third rear seat made the car an 8-seater. The Squire models came as standard with a roof rack and the already known wood imitations on the sides. However, these were so thin that even the paint color came through something. The station wagons were very popular as tow vehicles for trailers. Like all Torino models you could equip the station wagon with a “Towing Package”. This package included a trailer hitch incl. wiring, harder suspension, a larger water cooler and a stronger battery. The axle ratio has been changed to 3.25:1. Equipped with this package, a Torino could pull up to 2,700 kg, assuming the 400 engine upwards. A smaller “Towing Package” allowed up to 1,600 kg. However, the axle ratio remained the same. This package required the 351er dual carburetor as a minimum.

The complete revision was worthwhile. The Torino was a great success and sold 496,645 times. This was the first time Ford had been able to beat the Chevrolet Chevelle since its introduction in 1964. The Torino was quieter and safer than ever before and was equipped with better handling and good brakes. The Torino awarded the “Best Buy 1972”. A ’72 Ford Gran Torino SportsRoof was also the star in the eponymous film with Clint Eastwood.