1973 Ford Gran Torino Sport

Fitted with the 5.8-litre/351 ‘Windsor’ V8 engine, ‘MCY 442L’ is a Ford Gran Torino Sport two-door hardtop that was bought new by its first owner in New Jersey in 1973 – and it stayed in his hands for the next 46 years. (Shades of you-know-who, eh?).  

In 2017 whilst still in the care of the first owner the original engine had a complete re-build (copy invoice is shown in the gallery).

It came to the UK direct from him in 2019 and the second keeper, who was the chap who actually imported it, kept it until November 2023, at which point it moved into the seller’s care.

Now featuring some well-judged mechanical upgrades that include electronic ignition, a new fuel pump, an Edelbrock carburettor, Hedman Hedders, and a dual ‘Cherrybomb’ exhaust system, it is now better equipped to deal with 21st century roads while retaining all of its classic looks.

And noise, because no one converts money into sound more effectively than the Yanks, and this one upholds that fine tradition in no small way. It also “starts on the turn of the key” according to the seller, all of which make it a great choice for your entry to the American classic car scene.

The two-door hardtop coachwork looks great, doesn’t it? With straight panels, good shutlines, no ripples, and an impressive heft to the chromework, it’s every bit the 1970’s American muscle car you’ve been dreaming of since you were a kid.

The metallic ‘Ivy Glow’ coachwork, which was an extra-cost option at the time, is in fine fettle too, boasting a great shine and no obvious damage – and if you think you’d prefer a more obvious colour than green can we point you in the direction of Lieutenant Frank Bullitt of the San Francisco Police Department?

The tan-coloured vinyl roof, which was fitted in 2019, perfectly complements the coachwork’s colour and is in a good condition being free of rips, scuffs, and other damage.

The front tyres are 205/75R14 Nexen N’Priz NH5s that were fitted to mark its arrival here on Old Blighty. The rear tyres, which are slightly wider at 225/70R14 and B.F. Goodrich Radials, were replaced by the seller during his tenure.

The badges are very good too, with the only patination being to the red ones on the front grille and boot lid.

And it’s much the same story with the lamp lenses, all of which are clean and bright and free of chips and cracks.

The chromework is good too, with only light pitting. The impact-resistant ‘Federal’ bumpers, which first made an appearance the year this example was built, are simple and, to our eyes at least, an improvement on the ones that went before.

If we’re being picky then the rear numberplate is wonky, the inner nearside headlamp lenses doesn’t match the other three General Electric ones, there are some scuffs to the nearside corner of the rear bumper, and a few small areas of paintwork have been touched up.

Trivial stuff, in other words.

If the exterior is wonderfully subtle, Ford gave its designers free rein inside, something they clearly revelled in as they produced a cabin that’s very of-the-period.

In a good way, we hasten to add because we love the vinyl front bench seat, whose presence demonstrates that drivers in the 1970s were more interested in lovin’ than in high-G cornering.

It’s in good shape across its entire width too, still being plump and comfortable. The rear seats are in an even better condition and the combination of the tan colour, red stripes, and multiple buttons mean you couldn’t mistake it for a seat of any other period – but then if you’re going to drive an American classic muscle car you might as well go all in, eh?

There’s barely any visible wear to any of the seats either, bar a hole on the outside edge of the driver’s seat.

If you do fancy indulging in some high-speed cornering, the combination of hefty armrests in the doors and a wide central one *might* keep you in place.

But better we think to take advantage of the “featherlight” power-steering and SelectAire air-conditioning to ooze your way around your ‘hood, letting the mighty V8 rumble its way up and down the three-speed automatic gearbox.

Maybe play some music through the Sony CD player that’s fitted under the dashboard too – and if that’s a bit tame for you then you’ll be pleased to hear we’ve been told that wiring for a subwoofer has been fitted. (An aftermarket rev counter has also been fitted.)

If you want to go Old School then the original radio-cassette player is in the dashboard, albeit not working at the moment. There are folk out there who could probably restore it but if they struggle then period 8-track players are widely available. #justsaying

The headlining was replaced after it was imported in 2019, so that’s taut, clean, and free of damage.

Carpets are, like the seats, very of the moment being mid-brown and fluffy. So brown and fluffy in fact that it looks like someone’s used Teddy Bear pelts, which probably isn’t something you should point out to your younger passengers.

Point them instead to its condition, which is good. And its ultra-shaggy pile, which has almost Rolls-Royce depth.

The rest of the interior is also darned good. Sure, the driver’s armrest shows its age, but the seller left it that way as he felt it is an important part of the car’s 46-year history with the first owner.

Everything else is in a very respectable condition, including the fake wood, a material that’s so much a part of the American car vibe we’d be suspicious if there wasn’t any.

As for the electrical system, we are told that everything works, including the air-conditioning and heating, which isn’t something we thought would be the case.

The boot looks solid and contains a spare wheel. It is clean but needs trimming as it is just painted metal currently.

Oh, and we’re told that the steering wheel cover was fitted only for the aesthetics and that the one that’s hidden underneath is “excellent”. Besides, the Torino comes with a spare one anyway.

We are told a new petrol tank was fitted just before it was imported, and the car’s second owner made the (probably wise) decision to upgrade it here in the UK with some well-chosen parts including electronic ignition with new coil and HT leads, a new fuel pump, an Edelbrock carburettor, Hedman headers, and a dual ‘Cherrybomb’ exhaust system to complement the factory-fitted 5.7-litre V8 engine, Select Shift three-speed automatic transmission, 2.75 rear axle, and front disc brakes.

As you can see it starts and idles beautifully – and as you can hear it revs well, too!

It is said to have been treated with Lanoguard underneath.

The Torino also comes with: “Three large storage boxes of spares new and used, includes engine oil, filters, hoses, wheel trims, and a steering wheel. Too much to individually list really, and this includes two heavy-duty soft inner waterproof covers.”

The Gran Torino doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being imported.

The Torino comes with two sets of keys, some old receipts, a brochure, a selection of workshop manuals, a Deluxe Marti report, and the original factory build sheet from its first owner.

Still showing just 53,000 miles on the odometer and with only two previous owners, this Gran Torino Sport is a charming old thing, not least because the first owner, who’s in his eighties now, kept hold of it for almost half a century.

And romance aside, it’s a real crowd-puller and could even provide a source of income as the owner has done a couple of summer proms with it after placing a speculative advert in Facebook. It would make a great promotional vehicle too, or even a wedding car for a couple who want to buck tradition while still making an entrance.

All of which should add up to a far greater price tag than the £12,000 to £15,000 estimate we’ve placed on this.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Southport, Merseyside. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.