1972 Ford Gran Torino History Revisited

Clint Eastwood’s movie Gran Torino is actually named after its “star car”–a Ford Gran Torino. In general, Gran Torino plays out as a fairly conventional Hollywood melodrama with overt Oscar aspirations where Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a freshly widowed Korean war veteran and retired Ford assembly-plant worker. That’s the plot synopsis, but back to the Ford Gran Torino history. It’s telling that Walt’s prized possession is a 1972 Ford Gran Torino.

Why a Ford Gran Torino, and not a more obvious classic muscle car, like a GTO “Judge,” a Chevelle SS 396, or an earlier Ford Torino Cobra? No, the 1972 Ford Gran Torino is especially rare, exotic, or valuable. In both image and actual performance, the Ford Gran Torino was an automotive also-ran that never quite ascended to icon status.

And in the universe of vintage collector cars, any Gran Torino (they were produced from 1972 to ’76) is a “C-list” car at best. Furthermore, the car model year heralded the sad end of the muscle-car era, and of Detroit’s unquestioned dominance of the automotive market.

For 1972, the 1972 Ford Gran Torino specifications was redesigned using many characteristics carried over from the previous generation. The number of Ford Torino models was reduced from 14 models in 1971 to 9 in 1972, the convertible was discontinued, and the 4-door hardtops and sedans were replaced with 4-door “pillared hardtops.”

All other body styles remained, including the 72 Torino Fastback, which Ford continued to dub “SportsRoof”. “Torino” remained the base series, but the mid-level Torino 500 was renamed the Ford Gran Torino. The Torino Brougham was reduced to an option package for the Ford Gran Torino, and Torino GT became the car Sport.

The 1972 Torino and Ford Gran Torino were available as a 2-door hardtop and a 4-door sedan; the car Sport was available as a 2-door hardtop and SportsRoof. The station wagon line-up consisted of three models: the base Torino, 1972 Ford Gran Torino and Gran Torino Squire.

The most radical change in the car parts was a large egg crate grille in an oval opening on the Gran Torino where it had chrome bezels surrounding the headlamps, while base Torino’s had a full width argent egg crate grille that surrounded the headlights.

The 1972 Ford Gran Torino front fenders were aggressively flared, the rear fender line swept up towards the roof, and the windshield had a 60-degree rake. The car incorporated new safety features, including new flush mount door handles and side door guard rails.

Review 1972 Ford Gran Torino

The 1972 Ford Gran Torino Today

Today, the Ford Gran Torino swoopy fastback styling, funky graduated “laser stripes,” faux hood scoop, Magnum 500 wheels, and white letter tires give it an undeniable nostalgic allure. But Ford Gran Torino is not going to win many stoplight races, or sell for big money.

Indeed, Walt’s text-messaging, belly-ring-wearing granddaughter lobbies him to pass the Ford Gran Torino on to her, but she has no genuine affection or respect for it.She sees the Ford Gran Torino history only as an ironic, disposable fashion accessory.

Clearly, the makers of Gran Torino didn’t just happen upon this car; they chose it very carefully for its symbolic value.Both Walt and his car are products of another time–they don’t make them like that anymore. A Ford Gran Torino represents the last gasp of the glory days when old-school Detroit reigned supreme.