1970 Torino GT – The Great White

My dad has always been a big fan of Mustangs, though he owned some fantastic GM cars in the past. His collection included a 1959 Chevy Impala, a 1964 Pontiac Acadian, a 1969 Chevelle Convertible, and a 1972 Buick Skylark. By the time I grew old enough to understand what made a car truly cool, these vehicles were part of family history. However, by 1978, my dad shared his lifelong dream of owning a 1965-66 Mustang. In the early ’80s, he finally made it happen with a ’66 Mustang. Then, in 1986, he bought a brand-new Mustang GT, a car he still treasures to this day. Growing up, it was clear to me that Mustangs were something special.

On June 24, 2004, the previous owner of the Torino gave me a call. He told me he was finally ready to sell the car and suggested I act quickly before he changed his mind. The next day, I arrived with a certified check in hand, ready to make my dream a reality. It had been 12 years since I first laid eyes on this rare piece of American muscle, and now it was mine. The excitement was overwhelming, but the car needed a lot of work after years of poor storage. The gas tank, fuel lines, carburetor, and engine were clogged and in bad shape. After two years of driving, the engine had to be completely rebuilt.

Today, the freshly rebuilt and balanced 429 SCJ is almost stock in appearance but has received some upgrades. It now features S.V.T. roller rockers, Speed Pro pistons, a hotter 570 lift, a 236 duration @ .05 comp cam, a flame-thrower ignition system, and an 800 cfm double-pumper Holley carburetor. The original high-performance Super Cobra Jet intake manifold and heads are still intact. The exhaust system includes 2½-inch pipes, Hooker Super Comp headers, and DynoMAX Super Turbo mufflers. The sound from this big-block Ford is a thunderous treat.

In 1970, the new Torino earned the Motor Trend Car of the Year award. That year, Ford produced 56,819 Torino GT Fastbacks. According to Marti’s Auto Works, only 241 of them were equipped with the Drag Pack option. At Ford, the Drag Pack was the ultimate performance package, featuring a four-bolt main 429 Super Cobra Jet engine block, forged aluminum pistons with an 11.3 compression ratio, a 780 Holley carburetor, an oversized oil cooler, solid lifters, a 3/8 fuel line, a four-speed Top Loader or optional tight-shifting C6 automatic transmission, and two rear axle options: the 3.91 “Track Lok” or 4.30 “Detroit Locker” 31-spline, 9-inch nodular steel rear ends. My Torino also has the optional hide-away headlights, original Magnum 500 rims, rear window louvers, a “J” code shaker hood scoop, a factory tachometer, and an AM radio.

Through my research, I discovered the car’s unique history. It was purchased brand new in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, by a 50-year-old Chinese man who was new to the country. He needed transportation and went to Donway Ford Sales, where he bought the Torino GT without fully understanding its capabilities. After driving it home, he called the dealer to complain about its poor gas mileage. The salesman explained he had purchased a high-performance muscle car, which wasn’t designed for fuel economy. The man, who could barely see over the dashboard, was frustrated but decided to keep the car. During winter, he called the dealer again to complain about its handling in snowy conditions, saying, “I’m always slipping and sliding, and I can’t even get up my driveway.” By then, it was too late to return the car, and he reluctantly kept it. For years, he used it sparingly for errands and eventually started taking the bus while the Torino sat mostly unused in his garage. In the early ’80s, he was transferred to the Ottawa area and brought the car with him. Despite his dissatisfaction, he kept the Torino until selling it to a young enthusiast.

The next owner enjoyed street racing it for a few summers before losing control at an intersection. After that scare, he decided to sell it in 1984, opting for a car with less power and better handling.

The third owner sent the car to Riverside Restoration, a well-known facility specializing in Ford vehicles. It was repainted in Wimbledon White, replacing the original medium blue metallic. He enjoyed the restored car for 12 years before storing it for another eight. When I bought it, the odometer read 58,800 original miles, and much of it was still in original condition, including the air pollution pump and exhaust manifolds.

Today, with 64,000 miles on the clock, this legendary street machine gets used on sunny days, Saturday night cruises, car shows, and occasionally at the stoplight drag strip. I’ve kept all the original engine parts in case I want to return it to a stock appearance, but for now, I’m enjoying the ride. As the fourth owner of the Great White, I’m thrilled to have this incredible piece of automotive history.

Robert J. Cuillerier’s story