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1972 TORINO OVERVIEW‑ The 1972 Torino was one of two models completely restyled. The 'Coke bottle' shape was even more pronounced for 1972, than in previous years. There were rounded front fender profiles, and a roar fender line which swept up toward the root 'C' pillar, then tapered toward the rear of the car. Behind the car was a massive rear bumper, which housed rectangular taillights at each end. The grille was slightly reminiscent of the Cobra, being a large oval between the quad headlights. Automotive writer Tom Mccahill observed that he thought the 1972 Torinos looked like, "land‑locked Tunas sucking air." The top profile of the four‑door sedans was rounder than in previous years, and the two‑door fastback �SportsRoof� featured an extremely low roofline.

TORINO SERIES ‑ (ALL ENGINES) ‑ Two basic lines of intermediate‑sized Ford Torinos remained. Both the base Torino models and the top‑line Gran Torinos were restyled from end-to‑end. The Torino models featured chrome windshield, rear window and rain gutter moldings; high back bench seats; all‑vinyl seat and door trim; floor mats; hubcaps with trim rings: 250 cid six‑cylinder engine; and three‑speed manual transmission. The Torino station wagon also included power front disc brakes and three‑way tailgate. The Gran Torino was the top trim level for 1972 and included all the Torino trim, plus manual front disc brakes cloth and vinyl trim on seats and interior door panels: carpeting, lower body side, wheel well and deck lid moldings; dual‑note horn; trunk mat; Deluxe steering wheel; and chrome trim on the foot pedals. The Gran Torino Squire wagon also included the 140 hp, 302 cid V‑8 engine; Deluxe pleated vinyl interior trim; wheel covers; and wood grain appliqu�s on the body sides, tailgate and instrument panel. The Gran Torino Sport was the sports version of the Gran Torino line and included all the Gran Torino features, plus the 140 hp, 302 cid V‑8 engine; pleated, all vinyl trim; hood scoops; color‑keyed dual racing mirrors; and a unique grille.

TORINO AND GRAN TORINO SERIES I.D. NUMBERS: Torino and Gran Torino models began with the number '2,' followed by the assembly plant code, body type code, engine designation code and, finally, the unit's production number, according to the final assembly location. Each plant began at 100001 and went up.

PRODUCTION NOTE: Total series output was 496,645 units. The price and weight to the left of the slash are for six-cylinder equipped models and the price and weight to the right of the slash are for V-8 powered models.  

The 1972 Torino is the most changed car in the intermediate market according to information now available. It sports new styling, new ride and handling, new engineering and new options. Its LTD‑like quiet ride and tough new four link  "Stabul" rear suspension system place Torino in a class by itself by giving it big car ride and comfort at intermediate car prices.

For the first time, Torino will be of body/frame construction with two wheelbase sizes. All Torino two‑door hardtops will be built on a shorter 114" wheelbase for a more sporty appearance, greater maneuverability and easier handling. All four‑door pillared hardtops and wagons will be on a longer 118" wheelbase for greater interior roominess and a bigger, more comfortable ride.

The intermediate segment can be divided into three general markets ‑the two‑door hardtops, the sedans and the station wagons. In 1972, Torino is designed to compete effectively in all of these market segments.

HARDTOPS ‑ The intermediate market is dominated by hardtop buyers. For the total industry, over 70% of all intermediate sales are in the two‑door hardtop body type. Major competition sells almost 7510 of its mix in two‑door hardtops while Torino's mix is slightly over 55%. The 1972 Torino series has four 2‑door hardtop models ‑ the standard Torino, Gran Torino, Gran Torino Sport‑Formal and Gran Torino‑SportsRoof ‑ to compete in this hot selling 2‑door hardtop intermediate market. Almost every purchase motivation, whether it be price, utility, luxury or performance. can be satisfied with one of these four vehicles. And all of them have Torino's outstanding styling and handling pluses. SEDANS‑In 1972, all Torino sedans will be constructed for the first time in the popular and stylish 4‑door pillared hardtop models, first introduced on the full sized Ford in 1971. These models, which are equipped with frameless, vent less window glass, appeal to those buyers who want the sporty styling of a hardtop but also prefer the sturdy strength of a sedan. There are no comparable models offered by any other manufacturer in the intermediate segment to our knowledge.

Traditionally, Torino 4‑door sedans have done well in the market. These well‑constructed cars have always had great appeal to older owners who are primarily interested in good value and who need or want the extra room and convenience a four‑door model offers. 1972 models, which are offered in both the standard Torino and the Gran Torino series, will continue this established practice. Ford salesmen outsold all competitive intermediate 4‑door models last year and since Torino will be all‑new in 1972, and competing against probably unchanged competition, this sales advantage should be maintained and expanded.

STATION WAGONS ‑ The third major market of the intermediate segment is the station wagon market. In 1972, the segment leading Torino wagons will come in three models ‑ the standard Torino, the Gran Torino and the beautiful Gran Torino Squire. All of the features which have made Ford the "Wagonmaster" of the industry have been incorporated into the big new 1972 Torino wagons. The rear load space has been expanded to handle a full 4 x 8 foot sheet of paneling, lying flat with the tailgate open and the 3‑way magic door gate has been installed on all wagons. In addition, your customers, who purchase these wagons because of the price and utility, will experience the stopping power of standard power front disc brakes on Squire models with manual disc brakes standard on all Torino and Gran Torino models. Any way you look at it, Torino wagons, more than ever, are the wagons in the intermediate market.

The longer, lower, wider 1972 Torino models, which will have high back bench seats, steel guard rail side impact protection and manual front disc brakes as standard, can also be personalized with a long list of comfort and convenience, performance and appearance options. Six‑way power seats, two new special paints, high back bucket seats, numerous engine‑transmission combinations and many trim options are just a few of the options which can be utilized to tailor the car to fit the customer. Finally, should your customer want the utmost in interior appointments and luxury styling, the new Brougham option package is available on all Gran Torino series hardtops and sedans. With this option, it is obvious what the term "LTD‑like" means. Torino 1972 the mid‑size car that got the message!  

NEW CAR LINE FROM THE GROUND UP

For 1972, Torino introduces an outstanding departure from former designs. It starts with a rugged, all‑new "big‑car" body/ frame construction which extends throughout Torino's striking lineup of cars and wagons for '72. The new frame has "torque‑box" design, which virtually isolates passengers from road shocks, and includes an "S"‑shaped energy absorbing front configuration for extra safety.

Mounted on the frames are Torino's all new, rugged bodies which are built to last longer and are better insulated than ever before. A new front suspension along with a new four link "Stabul" rear suspension which has coil springs and shock absorbers that are computer‑selected in tune with the new body/frame construction. This new over‑all design provides an exceptionally smooth, quiet, stable ride.

From the outside, Torino's "big‑car" look features new, contemporary styling with a rakish, 60 degree windshield slant. Two door models have a shorter 114" wheelbase and wider treads for a sporty "road‑hugger" appearance. Four door models have a longer 118" wheelbase and wider treads for "big‑car" look, roominess and ride.

The attractive new grille on the Torino series is of dark argent, one‑piece corrosion resistant ABS plastic with egg crate motif and dual horizontal headlights.

All other models in the series are distinguished by a high series grille which has a light argent flattened oval design with bright leading edges. Bright headlamp doors and a distinctive hatch‑type hood design further enhance the appearance of Gran Torino models.

The contemporary styling is further highlighted by frameless, vent less curved‑side glass, recessed door handles and a host of other new exterior features.

Inside, new sculptured high back front bench seats are standard. The Torino series features attractive, durable all‑vinyl seat trim and door panels . . . plush, deep‑pleated vinyl seat trim, wall‑to‑wall color‑keyed carpeting and other luxury features on higher models. The new performance oriented instrument panel has modern, easy reading instruments and improved controls. Ford's famous DirectAire ventilation is now standard on 4‑door as well as 2‑door models. The lockable, energy‑absorbing steering column has a new space‑saving "mini" design plus a special coupling which helps insulate the steering wheel against road shocks. Manual front disc brakes of an improved design are also standard on all sedans and hardtops for greater safety.

ALL NEW STATION WAGONS

In addition to the outstanding features of the new Torino car line, the all new Torino Station Wagons feature: More usable load space‑48.2 inches between wheelhouses (5.6 inches wider than previous design), a new three‑way Magic Door gate which drops down as a tailgate or opens out like a door with the glass up or down, and standard power front disc brakes. New color‑match simulated wood grain paneling on the Squire model permits a hint of the body color to show through for added color harmony.

IMPORTANT NEW OPTIONS

The all new Torino is further complemented by a wide array of new or improved options for '72. New integral‑type power steering provides more instant response to wheel movement. A new six‑way power bench seat offers better, more convenient seat adjustment than former four‑way option and an improved rear window electric defrost reduces the time required to clear the window of troublesome ice and snow. The new Brougham Interior Trim Group adds a new level of luxury to Gran Torino models. Knitted vinyl and sporty cloth trim also available on certain models. Convenient map lights have been added to Torino's Visibility Group for better interior lighting.

The new Rallye Equipment Group, which includes popular performance equipment, and the Instrumentation Group will appeal to driving and performance enthusiasts. A new 351 CID 4V V‑8 and 400 CID 2V V‑8 along with other power team advancements mean new and better performance for '72. The optional Select Shift Cruise‑O‑Matic has a larger capacity oil cooler for added protection under heavy loads.

Both AM and AM/FM radios have been miniaturized and improved in reliability and power. Two optional Color Glow metallic paints‑Ivy Glow and Gold Glow‑have been added and a new Laser Tape Stripe is available on Gran Torino Sport and Gran Torino 2‑door models. Two new optional trailer towing packages include equipment for medium duty (up to 3500 lbs.) and heavy duty (up to 6000 lbs.) trailer hauls. See options pages for additional information.  

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This page was last edited on 26 July 2007.