New owner of 72 Gran Torino Sport

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   I've wanted a Gran Torino pretty much since the 3rd grade. One of my snot nosed classmates bragged that he didn't have to ride the bus because his mom just bought a "Grand" Torino. My 3rd grade brain heard it that way even though I know now that it's Gran. I remember being insanely jealous when I saw the car parked in front of the school.
My love of these cars got rekindled in the 90's when I was doing open track days with the NorCal Shelby club. I got to share the track with #41 Holman Moody car. Watching that 429 leave me in the dust every straight was too much fun.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/16162-1972-nascar-torino

Anyway, I've been looking for one for about 6 months and just picked a '72 Gran Torino Sport with a 400/C6 from south Florida. The seller didn't know much of the history beyond that it was a Georgia car. The interior is trashed. The engine runs, but just barely. I'm currently using a boat gas tank because I don't trust the rusty gas tank. It was originally gold but currently flat black. It had a vinyl top that has been removed and spray painted primer over. One of my first tasks is going to be to sand that and epoxy seal over that to prevent it from rusting. 

The odometer shows 69K miles. I assume that's 169K but there's some chance that's original. It still has the original hose clamps on it which seems odd for a higher mileage car. 

In the short run, I need to dispose of at least one other project car. I still have the '86 Mustang that I used to open track and a 1930 Model A that needs a new owner installed. I've promised my wife that one of those cars will find a new home before digging into the Gran Torino too much. We'll see...

That's my story. I've already found a lot of useful info on this forum. Hopefully, I'll contribute here and there along with gaining more knowledge. 

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kbrandt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 13-December-2025 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote kbrandt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: New owner of 72 Gran Torino Sport Posted: 24-December-2025 at 12:55AM
	I've wanted a Gran Torino pretty much since the 3rd grade. One of my snot nosed classmates bragged that he didn't have to ride the bus because his mom just bought a "Grand" Torino. My 3rd grade brain heard it that way even though I know now that it's Gran. I remember being insanely jealous when I saw the car parked in front of the school. My love of these cars got rekindled in the 90's when I was doing open track days with the NorCal Shelby club. I got to share the track with #41 Holman Moody car. Watching that 429 leave me in the dust every straight was too much fun. https://www.motortrend.com/features/16162-1972-nascar-torino Anyway, I've been looking for one for about 6 months and just picked a '72 Gran Torino Sport with a 400/C6 from south Florida. The seller didn't know much of the history beyond that it was a Georgia car. The interior is trashed. The engine runs, but just barely. I'm currently using a boat gas tank because I don't trust the rusty gas tank. It was originally gold but currently flat black. It had a vinyl top that has been removed and spray painted primer over. One of my first tasks is going to be to sand that and epoxy seal over that to prevent it from rusting. The odometer shows 69K miles. I assume that's 169K but there's some chance that's original. It still has the original hose clamps on it which seems odd for a higher mileage car. In the short run, I need to dispose of at least one other project car. I still have the '86 Mustang that I used to open track and a 1930 Model A that needs a new owner installed. I've promised my wife that one of those cars will find a new home before digging into the Gran Torino too much. We'll see... That's my story. I've already found a lot of useful info on this forum. Hopefully, I'll contribute here and there along with gaining more knowledge.

72FordGTS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 6780	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72FordGTS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2025 at 1:09AM
	Welcome Karl! I have upgraded you to a new member so you have full forum privileges. That is quite the story about how you came to own the Torino. And that is my pet peeve, when people call these cars "Grand" Torinos - it's an Italian name and Gran is Italian! Your Torino sounds like it should be a great project. We'd love to see some pics when you get a chance and feel free to start a project thread if you wish so we can follow along your build. Check out the forum, we have tons of great info, including the Technical Articles and Reference Information section. I too have a 400 powered '72 GTS. Much like the '72 GTS (or at least until recent times), the 400 doesn't get much love. But these engines can easily be built to make strong power and lots of torque for moving this heavy cars. Check out Tim Meyer for some pistions that will make the engine perform. https://www.tmeyerinc.com/ ;
	Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin

spriegel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 28-September-2021 Location: Fairview, PA Status: Online Points: 992	Post Options Post Reply Quote spriegel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2025 at 5:14AM
	Welcome to the forum, and great story. Looking forward to your build.
	Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino

peter.jenerette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-February-2023 Location: Nevada, TX Status: Offline Points: 1054	Post Options Post Reply Quote peter.jenerette Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2025 at 5:21AM
	Welcome! I look forward to see and hearing more about your project!
	Pete Jenerette 1972 Gran Torino (H-Code - 4R70W) 2022 F250 XLT 7.3 2003 Thunderbird

72 RS 351 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 3443	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72 RS 351 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2025 at 8:45AM
	Welcome Karl.
	*Don* 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W

CobraJoe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20-August-2024 Location: MA Status: Offline Points: 501	Post Options Post Reply Quote CobraJoe Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2025 at 11:10AM
	Welcome aboard Karl!
	1968 Torino GT F Code '96 Bronco, '39 Ford Coupe, '57 Fairlane, SOLD 2025 F150 SuperCrew, 2025 Edge Platinum

Wixbullitt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 23-October-2023 Location: Dallas Ga. Status: Offline Points: 131	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wixbullitt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27-December-2025 at 1:57AM
	Welcome

Steve M. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-June-2019 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 2034	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve M. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27-December-2025 at 9:58AM
	Welcome to the forum.
	Steve M.

kbrandt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 13-December-2025 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote kbrandt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28-December-2025 at 9:34PM
	I appreciate the warm welcome. I'll start a project thread at some point. It'll be at least a month before I can do much as I've got a lot of other stuff going on. Here's a few pictures just to get a hint.

72 RS 351 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 3443	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72 RS 351 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29-December-2025 at 12:24AM
	Very good, it looks like a great starting point. I hope it's very solid and it doesn't take much to get it safe to drive. FYI tip, spray the hood hinges ASAP with some penetrant, and white lithium grease. The hinges will be much stiffer to open the hood without lubrication, and that will damage the hood just ahead of the hinge mounts. Simply lube them well now, and then it won't take much to keep them working well ongoing.
	*Don* 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W

peter.jenerette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08-February-2023 Location: Nevada, TX Status: Offline Points: 1054	Post Options Post Reply Quote peter.jenerette Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29-December-2025 at 2:07AM
	Nice! You've definitely got a pretty complete one to start with. This will be a fun project to follow.
	Pete Jenerette 1972 Gran Torino (H-Code - 4R70W) 2022 F250 XLT 7.3 2003 Thunderbird

dan0R30 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30-June-2020 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 687	Post Options Post Reply Quote dan0R30 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29-December-2025 at 2:14AM
	That looks like a fun one!
	Dan 1970 Ford Torino hardtop - 351C 4V - FMX - 9" 3.89 TrueTrac

72FordGTS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 6780	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72FordGTS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29-December-2025 at 3:07AM
	It looks like a great project car. Have you decoded the door tag yet or done a Marti report? It appears to have been a yellow car originally.
	Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin

vacadoug Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Probationary Member Joined: 28-January-2026 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote vacadoug Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28-January-2026 at 12:05PM
	I actually owned and vintage raced the Pepsi Torino. I bought it from the 3rd owner and was fortunate enough to drive that beast. It was a blast and a real handful. Bobby Unser remembered the car and racing it. The car was 100% original. I now own a 72 GTS sport 351CJ with a 4 speed. The car is a one of one car and is also unrestored. What a time machine. I got my drivers license the year they came out and was bitten. Good running car and one of my favorite cars Ford built. Ill be at the Woodward cruise in Detroit this year. It is amazing how people love these cars, whether Ford people or not,

shanefolsom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 28-April-2006 Location: New Hampshire Status: Offline Points: 646	Post Options Post Reply Quote shanefolsom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-February-2026 at 8:48AM
	Welcome! Looks like a good car to start with.
	1976 Gran Torino Limited #1 1976 Gran Torino Limited #2 1973 Gran Torino Sport 1969 Roadrunner

Eliteman76 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 20-March-2006 Location: Nebraska, USA Status: Offline Points: 5450	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eliteman76 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12-February-2026 at 4:05PM
	Welcome to the site! As far as that Model A...they make perfect bodies to drop on a Polaris RTR side by side...Just sayin' man...lol You will find the site pretty useful...and always nice to see another 72 GTS being resurrected.
	Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod Pondering: #99Problems