About fifty years ago, Ford took its third-generation Torino and elevated it to a higher level of luxury than any Torino had achieved before. The Gran Torino Elite was born, but its lifespan was short.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1976 Ford Elite listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Clinton, New York. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Surely this is one of the finest cars I’ve ever owned,” the listing begins. “Rarely do you ever see an Elite to begin with, and when you do, it’s assuredly either rusting out or sitting in a field somewhere.”
The Elite was classified as a personal luxury car and was only sold for three model years: 1974, 1975, and 1976. The first model year, it was referred to as the Gran Torino Elite. The following years, the Gran Torino prefix was eliminated as the Elite became a standalone model. The personal luxury car market had grown in competition and popularity with vehicles like the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Chrysler Cordoba. The Elite’s design originated with Mercury Cougar XR-7, and it was easy to see the connection between the Mercury and the Ford – especially with the interior style and appointments.
Power for the Elite was available from a variety of V8 engines, the smallest of which had 351cid in displacement. Today’s feature car has the optional two-barrel-carbureted 400cid V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. The odometer shows just 62,415 miles, and the seller asserts that this is a true reading: “It starts and runs normally, smoothly, and quickly, and sounds exactly the way it is supposed to and the way you would expect.”
Originality is the name of the game with this car, and included in the 50-photo gallery with the listing is a shot of the data plate showing a color code of 6PNY. The “6” translates to gold, and I imagine the “PNY” translates to Pony, which in Mustang terms referred to upgraded upholstery and steering wheel. Perhaps the nomenclature carried through to the Gran Torino & Elite lineup because this car is appointed with leather upholstery as well as generous woodgrain trim throughout the cabin.
The listing provides a nearly 10-minute walkaround video showcasing the garage-kept condition both inside and out. “I’ve got quite a few gorgeous cars in my garage that I show off almost daily, and it is amazing how many people comment on how pretty the Elite is!” the seller says.
The asking price is $24,500 for this Elite.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
…in 1975, my parents ordered a Torino Elite from their long time Ford Dealer – Bob Ford in Dearborn, MI. Long story short – Ford screwed up the order twice – couldn’t seem to get the options list right on either car! The Torino Elite would have been a “smaller” car for my parents – they’d always owned full-sized Fords. All said – my parents wound up with a well-optioned 1975 Ford LTD coupe – Bob Ford gave them a deal on it, as they were embarrassed about the factory build screw-ups for their long time customers. So – somewhere out there – are / were two 1975 Torino Elites (almost) built for my Mom & Dad!
If i had the money and the room I would definitely buy it and add it right to my collection of Antique, Classic and Vintage Rides in my garage and would Cruise and Drive it around in very warm weather.
Luxury? Yes, raised white letter tires scream luxury when parked next to the 2 door Lincoln Town Car or a Cadillac Eldorado.
Always been a staunch GM guy, but I would be tempted because of the uniqueness of it and the color combinations and options. Pretty car.
I had this car,same color, same everything except wire wheel covers. A sweetheart to drive.
I remember the Gran Torino’s well, always had a very credible reputation, well liked by their owners, I knew people who either owned, leased, or were furnished them as ‘Company cars’, and never a complaint. I’m a GM guy, but their are certain Ford products that have my praise and respect, and this Elite is definitely on that list…a very nice looking ride, that is only the larger V-8, bucket seats, and a console from being a better looking rand sportier ride than the Thunderbird of that era…I’d love to have this in my stable.
I had one. Jade green. Loved it.
I also had this very same 76 vehicle color/trim . Identical except I had the 351W/FMX 3 Speed. Unfortunately a ford dealership mechanic owned it, and the last thing one wants to do after a shift is work on your own vehicle? One would think the opposite? the carburator was cobble hogged, and after i replaced/tuned it this vehicle would smoke/bark a tire for a good 25-30 feet. And those were big ass tires to break grip, 235/70/15. I don’t believe the engine was original? Though electronic, it had the smaller distributor. Being in rough shape rust wise, as much as it pained me i ended up scraping it. I did save the engine/trans/rear end & misc parts.
Oh my Gosh we had a 1976 Elite with the same dash ours was white with the same Landau top completely over the whole roof. I loved that car. Miss it too
Love it my sister’s first car I wish their were cars like that now