Ford Gran Torino Popularity

Although muscle cars are very popular today, the Ford Torino has not quite gained the status of many other cars from that era. The 1960s and 1970s Torinos are nowhere near as popular with collectors as its contemporary competitors of the day. Today, a Chevrolet Chevelle or a Plymouth Road Runner commands much greater popularity and value compared to a similarly equipped Torino. Among Ford Motor Company enthusiasts, the Torino is often the forgotten model and emphasis is generally put on the Mustang, Thunderbird and earlier full-size Ford models.

There are some highly collectable and desirable Torinos that are very valuable today. The 1970-71 Torino Cobras, the 1969 Torino Talladega, the 1970 King Cobra, the 1968–1971 Torino GT convertibles, and the 1969 Cobras are all very valuable collectable muscle cars today. Other less-desirable Torinos have made significant gains in value over the past decade due to the general increase in interest for cars from the 1970s. The 1972 body style has received notable recent exposure with the release of the 2008 film Gran Torino (featuring a 1972 Gran Torino Sport and Clint Eastwood) and the 2009 film Fast & Furious. The 1974-76 body style was popularized due to the 1970s television series Starsky and Hutch, and revived with the release of the 2004 film Starsky & Hutch. As a result the value of the 1974-76 Torinos has risen; still they are not the most valuable of the Torino body styles. However, the limited-edition factory replica Torino will likely be a valuable investment due to the series having a longtime cult following.


Ford Gran Torino




Ford Gran Torino




Ford Gran Torino


Ford Gran Torino


Ford Gran Torino

The Torino is still a relatively rare car at classic-car meets and muscle-car conventions. One possible reason for the lack of popularity and the low numbers of Torinos in existence today is likely due to the Torino's durability issues that caused low survivability. Torinos had serious problems with chassis and body corrosion as well as having a less-than-perfect reliability record. In areas where severe winters exposed these cars to road salt, Torinos were reported to have severe rust problems within the first 5 years of ownership. To further worsen the corrosion problems, 1969–1973 Torinos were reported to have severe paint-peeling problems. As a result of the above, Torinos had the lowest resale value of any of the American intermediate cars in the 1970s used-car market.

Ford Gran Torino





Ford Gran Torino


Ford Gran Torino




Ford Gran Torino


Ford Gran Torino


Ford Gran Torino





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2010 Ford Mustang

The Mustang made its first public appearance on a racetrack little more than a month after its April 17 introduction, as pace car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500.


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2010 Ford Mustang online customizer

Want to get a new 2010 Ford Mustang? What about building one by yourself? Ford has released an online configurator that lets buyers customize create a customized 2010 Mustang.

With the online Mustang configurator, one can build his Mustang from a smorgasbord of options, including stripes, colors, hood scoop,wheels, spoilers, decals, rims, tire smoke, and more. Furthermore, the configurator tool is very easy to use. One can build up in just a few minutes.

Check out Ford's Mustang Customizer site and get started on your personalized 2010 Ford Mustang. However, the site is “for inspiration purposes only”, customers who want to turn their creation into a reality have to go to dealership.

Ford Mustang AV-X10 to be auctioned at 2009 EAA Gathering of Eagles

Last year, Ford sold off the one-off Ford Mustang AV8R for $500,000 at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Gathering of Eagles festival. The money went to EAA's Young Eagles charity, a program that gives those under 17 the chance to fly in a general aviation craft.

This year, Ford builds another one-off custom Mustang call ‘AV-X10 Dearborn Doll’ for the event. People who want to bid on the Ford Mustang AV-X10 can do so between July 27 and August 2 at the 2009 EAA Air Venture Oshkosh fly-in convention.

The AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Mustang utilizes the 2010 Mustang GT with Glassroof option as the platform base with performance modifications coming from Ford Racing, including a 550hp (410kW) supercharger kit, a high-flow FR500S exhaust system, a short throw shifter, a new handling package featuring dampers, lowering springs and an anti-roll bar. The car rides one inch lower than a stock Mustang GT, and uses a 550 hp 4.6-liter 24-valve aluminum engine, which is the 10-millionth powerplant built at Ford’s Romeo facility.

As for the exterior, it’s influenced by the World War II-era P-51 Mustang aircraft. The car is painted in Satin Silver, added a yellow nose and rear wing, and changed the wheels to Shelby's 19-inch model meant for the GT500. The wheels were painted in liquid silver with yellow propeller tips. One of the coolest features is that the Glass roof is even treated to an abstract translucent star and bars scheme for added effect.

Continuing with an Air Force look, the engineers added a Bader leather interior with a worn look, diamond-tucked seat and door inserts, and a unique instrument cluster.

"Ford Motor Company has been a committed partner of EAA throughout the years and especially during AirVenture, where Ford's support has brought value to those who make ‘Oshkosh' the pinnacle of their aviation year," said EAA chair Tom Poberezny in a press release. "The generous creation of such specialty vehicles allows EAA to provide support to its valuable programs and dedicated members inspiring young people and building the future of flight."

Saleen Performance Vehicles releases Saleen 435S Mustang

Mere days ago, we have introduced the highly anticipated 2010 SMS 460 Ford Mustang from Steve Saleen and its new company SMS Supercars. Now, another Mustang bearing the Saleen name - the Saleen Performance Vehicles 435S Mustang is here. However, just as we said previously, the 2010 SMS 460 Ford Mustang is the only Mustang officially authorized to bear Steve Saleen's name. Steve Saleen had nothing to do with the Saleen 435S.

In fact, the Saleen Performance Vehicles, owned by Michigan-based MJ Acquisitions, is in a lawsuit filed by Steve Saleen over the use of the Saleen name.

Power comes from the 4.6-liter, 3-valve SOHC V8 engine fitted with a Saleen Series VI supercharger, paired up with a 5-speed manual transmission. The car will be capable to produce a vigorous 435hp (324kW) and 425lb-ft (575Nm) of torque.

Thanks to the Saleen Racecraft suspension kit, the car rides 1.5 inches lower than a Mustang GT. The suspension package includes springs, a stiffer front stabilizer bar, and nitrogen-pressurized shock absorbers tuned exclusively for the 435S.

The exterior of the car has also been fitted with Saleen badging and chevrons, as well as a set of custom 18in, 5-spoke alloy wheels(19- and 20-inch wheels are available).

“All in all, we believe the 435S is the right car at the right time,” said Mike Shields, CEO of Saleen Performance Vehicles. “It’s a terrific performance value that we’re proud to offer. And this is just the first of many great Saleen vehicles we’ll be launching in the future.”

2010 SMS 460 Ford Mustang revealed

Steve Saleen and its new company SMS Supercars have revealed the 2010 SMS 460 Ford Mustang at the “Mustangs Northwest Roundup” in Seattle.

Based on the 2010 460 Ford Mustang, the 2010 SMS 460 Ford Mustang is the only Mustang officially authorized to bear Steve Saleen's name, to use the benefit of the dedication, history, and success he has cultured for over 30 years. Steve Saleen, President and CEO of SMS Supercars: "The SMS 460 Mustang embodies everything I stand for. It reflects my unrivalled tenure in the Mustang business, my passion and love for the Mustang brand."

The lineup has two models: the SMS 460 and SMS 460X. Both are fitted with custom supercharged V8s. The SMS 460 Mustang gets a 4.6 liter V8 engine producing 470 hp and 427 ft-lb of torque, while the SMS 460X Mustang with an enlarged 5.0 liter V8 engine reaches 655 hp and 600 ft-lb.

Transmission options are a 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual on the 460 or a 6-speed SMST manual on the top of the line 460X. Performance for both cars is striking. The 460 Mustang is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in the low 4-second range, while the 460X manages the same in closer to 4.

However, power is useless without control. So the handling, road holding and braking improvements on the 2010 SMS 460 Mustangs will not be missed. Both the cars will feature Steve's signature Watt's linkage suspension with all-new geometry. New SMS 15" six piston front and 13" four piston rear brakes deliver impressive stopping power to match the jaw-dropping acceleration.

The SMS 460 Mustangs also feature a host of external visual and technical modifications, including: the re-worked front and rear fascia treatment, SMS Red Butterfly Air Induction Hood TM, front and side splitters, rear fascia and diffuser with high down-force rear wing. The performance theme continues inside with Alcantara and leather trim on the seats, dash and center console.

Up till now, the SMS 460 Mustang is in final testing stages and the market launch is planned for later this year. According to an ordering guide on the SMS Supercars website, the MSRP for the SMS 460 starts at $64,990, with the SMS 460X starting at $85,961. Convertible versions of both cars are planned, with pricing set at $5000 more.

Shelby reveals the new Super Snake package for 2010 Ford Mustang GT500

Shelby Automobiles, the Mustang’s favorite tuning firm, has decided to take the 2010 GT500 to the next level. Therefore, Shelby revealed its new Super Snake package for the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 this week at the Mid America Ford and Team Shelby Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

With the package, Shelby takes an existing customer car and performs power and handling upgrades. Depending on which supercharger the customer selects, the Super Snake will churn out 630 hp for the base configuration or 725 hp with the optional setup. Further changes under the hood include an upgraded intercooler, cold-air intake system and radiator. A Borla cat-back exhaust hangs out back for 630 hp models, while 725 hp cars use a JBA unit.

Handling improvements come courtesy of a Ford Racing suspension with adjustable dampers, stiffer springs, thicker antiroll bars, a front strut tower brace and custom 20in Super Snake wheels shod with Pirelli P-Zero tires. Helping to tame the additional power are Baer six-piston front calipers with cross-drilled rotors at all four corners.

To ensure the car stands out from the crowd when off the track, Shelby’s engineers have also fitted a new hood with an oversized scoop and vents, racing stripes, rear quarter window scoops, and carbon-fiber splitter and side sills. Inside, the headrests feature embroidered Shelby logos and carbon-fiber faced gauge faces.

Pricing for the Super Snake package begins at $29,495 for the 630-hp model and $33,495 for the 725-hp kit, which includes installation at Shelby Automobiles’ Las Vegas plant or at a Shelby authorized mod shop. Additional options include a six-piston rear brake system, Eibach adjustable coil-over suspension and a two-tone leather interior upgrade. Each car will receive a Shelby consecutively number dash plaque, engine plate and listed in the official Shelby registry.

The first customer cars will be modified this August.

Glass Roof Option added to 2010 Ford Mustang and GT Convertible

Just in time for summer, Ford has added its panoramic glass roof option to its restyled 2010 Mustang Coupe alongside the convertible version of the V8-powered Mustang GT, both of which are now on sale in showrooms across the country.
The glass roof is made of tinted privacy glass and features a built-in manual roller blind. This tint makes the glass roof option ideal for those who love the sun but want to cut back on sunscreen use. Ford also points out that "scientific studies show that increased exposure to sunshine or bright light is therapeutic because it regulates the body's synthesis of melatonin, a mood-regulating hormone that modulates the circadian cycle of sleep and wakefulness."

The glass roof has been specially engineered to filter out 90 percent of the sun's heat-generating infrared (IR) rays and 96 percent of burn-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays. This effectively means the Glass Roof Mustang is the only coupe to be equipped with a sun protection factor (SPF) of approximately 50.

The glass roof's ability to filter the rays also reduces heat load in the cabin so that occupants remain comfortable. Furthermore, the reflective glass also reduces energy used by the vehicle's air conditioner system while protecting the interior fabric from fading and deteriorating. Finally, to help improve acoustics and Mustang’s interior quietness the glass also features a layer of vinyl that reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

Since its introduction in 2008, the glass roof option – which is available as a $1,995 option on both the V6 model and the GT – has accounted for 10% of all Mustang sales. The convertible, on the other hand, accounts for 25% of Mustang sales, and sell most strongly in California, Florida, Texas and Georgia.

Other Blue Oval vehicles that feature the glass roof option include the 2010 Lincoln MKS and 2009 Ford Flex, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX.

To get that amazing different feeling, head to your local Ford dealer and shell out an extra $1,995.

Ford Racing working on new 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet

The FR500CJ Cobra Jet, which was introduced at last year's SEMA show, was the latest Mustang to become part of the Ford Racing range. This 2009 model was a success both with customers and on the track. Ford Racing sold the entire run of 50 copies within two weeks, and it won its first race at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA back in February this year.

Because of its success, Ford Racing intends to follow up with a 2010 version of the Cobra Jet, with production to begin during the fourth quarter with deliveries taking place in early 2010. The base price is expected to be less than $75,000, and once again production will be limited to 50 copies only.

Like the 2009 model, the 2010 Cobra Jet will be modified with all Ford Racing parts. Ford Racing is expecting to put a 425hp 5.4L supercharged V8 straight out of the Ford Racing Parts (FRP) catalog in the standard model, with an optional upgrade to a 475hp aluminum-block engine.

Shifting gears yourself is one of the most rewarding parts of driving a car fast when done properly, but at the drag strip, it just slows you down, so Ford is offering a five-speed Liberty manual in addition to a race-prepped automatic on top of the standard six-speed tranny that was available on the 2008 car.

To keep the car from crumpling when the shiny side fails to stay up, all 2010 Cobra Jets get a 8.50et NHRA certified roll cage, too.