| Ford Torino | |
|---|---|
 1970 Ford Torino Cobra SportsRoof | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Also called | Ford Fairlane (Venezuela) |
| Production | 1968–1976 |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size car, muscle car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Mercury Montego |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Fairlane (1962-1970) |
| Successor | Ford LTD II |
The Ford Torino is an automobile that was produced by Ford for the North American market between 1968 and 1976. It was a competitor in the intermediate market segment and essentially a twin to the Mercury Montego line.
Just as the Ford LTD had been the upscale version of the Ford Galaxie, the Torino was initially an upscale variation of the intermediate-sized Ford Fairlane. In the 1968 and 1969 model years, the intermediate Ford line consisted of lower-trim Fairlanes and its subseries, the upper-trim Torino models. In 1970, Torino became the primary name for Ford's intermediate, and the Fairlane was now a subseries of the Torino. In 1971, the Fairlane name was dropped altogether, and all Ford intermediates were called Torino.
Most Torinos were conventional cars, and generally the most popular models were the four-door sedans and two-door hardtops. However, Ford produced some high-performance "muscle car" versions of the Torino by fitting them with large powerful engines, such as the 428 cu in (7.0 L) and 429 cu in (7.0 L) "Cobra-Jet" engines. Ford also chose the Torino as the base for its NASCAR entrants, and it has a successful racing heritage.