The 1960s were all about the youth market. Plenty of models that looked sporty but didn’t quite have the performance to match—witness the Mustang 2+2, AMC Marlin, Dodge Charger, and many others that looked fast but were quite the opposite in standard configuration. Our Pick of the Day is one of those vehicles that had broad appeal for the masses, though its story is a bit different. This 1970 Ford Torino SportsRoof is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Sherman, Texas.
When Ford introduced its redesigned Fairlane series for 1968, there were many changes in the lineup. Gone was the bucket-seat XL and GT models, now replaced by the Torino and Torino GT; unlike for 1966-67, only the Torino GT came with bucket seats standard, with the Torino featuring a fancy bench seat instead. For the GT, there were now three body styles available, as a fastback was added to the roster.
This fastback was also available as a Fairlane 500, Ford’s mid-size bread-and-butter model. It was among five ways to go, which included a two-door hardtop and convertible, four-door sedan, and wagon. The Fairlane 500 fastback was available with all engines, six and V8, including both the 390 and (starting in April) 428 Cobra Jet, though those engine were rarely ordered. And though Ford offered the Fairlane 500 fastback as a cheaper, more pedestrian alternative to the Torino GT, it was the Torino GT fastback that was the biggest seller among the whole Fairlane series by a large margin.
Ford’s marketing department decided to brand all fastbacks “SportsRoof” for 1969. In addition to the Torino GT and Fairlane 500 SportsRoof offerings, Ford introduced a new performance model—Cobra—which was available as a SportsRoof, making three fastbacks within the mid-size series.
For 1970, Ford redesigned its mid-size series. Gone was the Fairlane, with the series now buttressed by the Fairlane 500 (and, come mid-year, the Falcon) and topped by the all-new Torino Brougham. The Fairlane 500 was now only available as three body styles: two-door hardtop, four-door sedan, and station wagon—no more convertible or SportsRoof. The Torino (knocked down one rung in the hierarchy) now played the bread-and-butter role among Ford’s mid-size series and offered four body styles: two-door hardtop, four-door hardtop, four-door sedan, and station wagon. There was no SportsRoof to succeed the 1969 Fairlane 500 SportsRoof when the 1970 model year debuted.
But on December 16, 1969, Ford announced the Torino SportsRoof in a Car Merchandising News Flash bulletin. “The exceptional sportsroof [sic] styling of the 1970 Torino GT and the Torino Cobra will now be available in the standard Torino series.” In another dealer item, Ford claimed “adding Torino SportsRoof to the economy segment brings this sales-marketing feature within reach of an enormous cross-section of car buyers,” touting a price $164 cheaper than a Torino GT—“a sporty alternative to offer the GT enthusiast who can’t quite afford the higher series unit.” The Torino SportsRoof had appeal to Torino GT shoppers who need a car for less money, or any sporty compact buyer (like a Mustang) who wants to move up in vehicle size but still get a sporty-looking car in the same price range.
Not many people selected the Torino SportsRoof and opted for four-barrel engines with any semblance to horsepower, but this Medium Red 1970 Torino SportsRoof was ordered with the 300-horsepower “M-code” 351-4V. This engine was on the cusp between regular consumers seeking a bit more horsepower and the first step for enthusiasts who wanted to go fast. In fact, only 631 folks opted for this 351 paired with the FMX Select-Shift Cruise-O-Matic. In addition to the engine, this Torino features the optional 3.25 axle ratio, F70x14 belted whitewall tires, power front disc brakes, AM radio, tinted glass all-around, and argent Styled Steel wheels (one of 109 so equipped, according to Marti Auto Works). Note the lack of power steering! Seller claims 99,467 miles on this unusual Blue Oval. Judging by the pictures, the interior has been changed from the Black cloth and vinyl bench seat to all-vinyl, and the wheels are now Magnum 500s. Other observations include the addition of an FM tuner and 8-track tape player.
If you’re a regular guy or gal who tends to fall under the bell curve of life but whose automotive whims fall under the fringes, then this $28,500 Ford checks all the boxes.
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