The new guy

How’s it going everyone.
     I recently purchased a 1973 Gran Torino sport. I had been driving passed it, sitting in a field, for two years but never stopped and asked about it. I really didn’t even know what make or model it was. All I knew was I loved the lines of the rear window and deck lid.
    I jumped out to attempt and identify the model and was caught by the owner. A 60 year old woman. She told me it was a torino her husband purchased just before he passed away in 2010. He had plans to restore it after seeing Clint Eastwood film.
     I passed buy the house the next day and saw something ripped up her trash. So decided to clean it up, not wanting her to have to deal with it, but I was caught again. This time by her son in-law that lived down the street. Long story short, he told me she had tried giving the car everyone in the family but didn’t get any takers. He advised me to come talk to her about it.
    I ended up going back and speaking to her about it and trailering it home later that month. I have never owned or worked on a american muscle car but have always wanted one. My experience has been with Japanese cars but have always loved the choppie ideal of cammed V8. Now the work begins. It was missing quite a few things, like the engine and transmission, but is mostly rust free. Now the hunting and researching begins
    
Sorry for the lengthy intro

Kerry

Welcome! Don't worry about the long post, it was a great story and we love those around here. Post some pictures of the car, we love those too!

Here are some instructions if you need help;

http://forum.grantorinosport.org/how-to-post-a-picture-updated_topic16433&FID=18&PR=3.html

Cool story. I hope one day you can take her for a ride. Welcome aboard.

Will do on the pictures. Just have to figure out why they are flipping up side down. On the price, no, she didn’t give it to me but pretty much. She first said $1000, which I was good with. I stayed there talking to her and I guess she took a shining to me because she kept lowering the price. By the end of our conversation she let me have it for $600. She told me that she still had the re-chromed bumpers in the shed. Also found the transmission in the chicken coop, that I still have to pick up, along with the center console.

I'd pick up those extra parts asap before they change their mind. Time has a way of doing that to people.

Great deal. And as others have said, get the extras asap.

Yeah I’m afraid to bead blast it until I learn to MIG. The floors have the normal rust holes and the trunk matches nicely. And yes I do need to get the extra bits ASAP. I’m not planning on a full restoration at the moment. More of a rolling restoration, after watching shows like roadkill showed me its more about enjoying the car than anything else. It let me see that even a green horn like myself can make something interesting and enjoyable.

The car looks fairly solid from the pics.  How's the frame?  Any ideas one what you are going to run for and engine and transmission?

Edited by 72FordGTS - 14-February-2019 at 12:52AM

Frame looks pretty good too. Unfortunately the wheels are 14’s so they probably won’t stay. I’m pretty sure I’m going to stay with the magnum 500 look but will probably go up to 17 simply due to the inability to find affordable tires. I would love to keep it traditional with white letter tires but it only going to get harder to find them.

I have never been a fan of raised white lettering on my vehicles. Still debating in my mind what I will do when I get new wheels.

Wow... 6k would have been a no go for me (wife would have skinned me). I was thinking the same on the finish. New engine and wiring but with the much earned patina. As far as the engine goes. I thought I had my hands on a big block 429 in a 71 LTD sedan but it sold to fast. I was considering a coyote swap but will depend on the price of the engine. Have been looking for a 5.0 from a F150 to save a little bit. Would have great power and drivability and, I could pull a boat if I wanted, just kidding. Car was originally a 351 with a 2 barrel (so 160 hp and at best 250 torque if you believe Wikipedia). F150 makes around 350hp and 380lb-ft, quite the improvement.

Dave once I get something new to roll it around on I will let you know.

I agree that keeping it old school would be so much easier. I think budget is the biggest hinderince though . I’m going to start going to the swap meets to see what I can find. I would in no way turn my nose up to a 351w. I would love a 72 front end but I was looking at the bumper swap done by hammer. Looks really good with the 74 front end.

keep in mind that the 73 has a slightly "flatter" nose to it but i'm planning on doing hammer's bumper swap to the 76 ranch i sold my step bro

my above comment was for kerry. although i've seen a couple fastbacks with a 74 - 76 front clip on them

californiajohnny wrote: my above comment was for kerry. although i've seen a couple fastbacks with a 74 - 76 front clip on them

HAPPEN to have a pic of one?