In 1972, Ford launched the Gran Torino Sport, a gem of a car that’s now a revered icon of the industry.
Ford has always been one of the front-runners in the American auto industry. The Ford Motor Company has given the world some absolute automotive gems like the Mustang, the GT40, and the iconic F-Series. In 1968, Ford launched the Torino, an upscale version of the Fairlane. In its third generation, the Torino spawned off the Gran Torino, which became a greatly beloved car in the American market.
One of the most popular classics from Ford’s history, the Gran Torino never lived a very long life, sadly.
Making its debut in 1972, it disappeared for good alongside the Torino in 1976. With the Gran Torino in 1972 also came the Gran Torino Sport, which revamped the car’s construction for a more comfortable experience.
The 1972 Gran Torino Sport featured plenty of changes, some of which became the reason for it being one of the best cars from the house of Ford. If you’re looking for a great American classic to bring home, here are 10 reasons why you should buy the 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport.
8/8 The 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport’s Timeless Design Holds Up Even Today
The Gran Torino Sport came with a new generation of the Ford Torino. For the new Gran Torino Sport, there were pretty big visual changes, and the biggest one was undoubtedly the large egg-crate grille and its oval opening.
This front fascia gave the ’72 Gran Torino Sport an unmistakable and distinguishable look, and the chrome bezels surrounded the headlights on each side. Furthermore, Ford marketed the Gran Torino and the Sport as upscale cars, and the clean, yet powerful lines of the exterior made heads turn wherever the car went.
7/8 Ford Offered A Bevy Of Engine Options With The ’72 Gran Torino Sport
Ford didn’t hold back when it came to engine options on the 1972 Gran Torino Sport. The car came with a standard 302 4.9-liter Windsor V8, but owners could also equip it with a 351 5.8-liter Windsor.
There was also a 351 5.8-liter Cleveland V8 engine available, and a huge 400 6.6-liter V8 that made 168 horsepower. Power figures across the industry had been low in 1972, as the industry was just on the cusp of the Malaise Era. The biggest engine possible, however, was a 429 cubic-inch 7.0-liter V8 that cranked out 205 horsepower.
6/8 The ’72 Gran Torino Sport’s 429 Cubic-Inch V8 Was A Great Engine
In 1972, horsepower figures for all cars were pretty much down across the board. As such, even the most powerful 351 V8 cranked out 248 horsepower.
Equipped with the 429 V8, the Gran Torino Sport delivered impressive performance that was quite exhilarating when compared to other industry rivals at the time. Plus, the car’s strength also lay in its upscale cabin and composed ride, which provided an overall fantastic
5/8 The 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport Offered A Plush And Upscale Interior
The 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport was the first re-designed intermediate car to emerge from Detroit in a significant amount of years, which made it garner all the more attention on the market. Bench seats were standard on the Gran Torino Sport, but owners could make the experience even more premium with optional ‘ComfortWeave’ upholstery for the seats.
The well-proportioned car naturally allowed for great interior room, offering a roomy cabin for all occupants to enjoy. The seats came in a variety of patterns and colors, and the car also featured High-Back bucket seats and a center console as optional additions.
4/8 The 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport Remains An Affordable Classic
Compared to newer, more expensive vehicles, the 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport can be a more affordable option for those looking for a classic car. Its classic style and performance can be had for a fraction of the cost of a newer car.
Hagerty evaluates a 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport equipped with the top of the line 429 cubic-inch V8 at around $16,600, which is a pretty great deal for anyone looking to bring home some classic muscle that turns heads and could even be used as a daily driver without breaking the bank.
3/8 Ford Offered Plenty Of Features With The ’72 Gran Torino Sport
In 1972, the Gran Torino Sport was the top trim in the lineup, meaning it came with plenty of impressive features and creature comforts. Ford offered the Gran Torino Sport with features like front disc brakes, cloth and vinyl trim on the inside, carpeting, and side moldings as well.
A dual horn was standard on the ’72 Gran Torino Sport as well, along with a ‘DeLuxe’ steering wheel. The instrument cluster featured five pods containing a speedometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge, along with various warning lights. This was also the last year that Ford offered the ‘ComfortWeave’ vinyl inserts on the seating.
2/8 The Competition Suspension Of The Gran Torino Sport Was Extremely Well-Regarded
With the Gran Torino Sport in 1972, Ford attached a new competition suspension that featured coil springs, upper and lower control arms, hydraulic shocks, and an anti-roll bar on the front.
They dubbed the new four-link coil-sprung arrangement as ‘Stabul’, and it found immediate praise for keeping the car composed and planted through corners as well as on the straight line. The heavy-duty competition suspension was part of the Rallye Equipment Package, which came with the high-output 351 engine, the four-speed manual, and a rear anti-roll bar as well.
1/8 The 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport Remains An Extremely Reliable Car To This Day
Ford had correctly assumed that Gran Torino Sport owners wouldn’t want six-cylinders under the hood. Thus, all Gran Torino Sport models came with V8 units, and the standard 302 V8 was an extremely durable workhorse.
In fact, all 1972 Torino engines are renowned today for their durability, and even if a repair is needed, there is a huge market for spare parts. Owners today would find no trouble in maintaining the OE specs of their ’72 Gran Torino Sport as service parts remain plentiful even today, speaking to the popularity of the car.
Sources: Consumer Reports, Hagerty, Mecums
