The Ford Torino: The Mid-Size That Outsold the Mustang and Faded Away

The Ford Mustang is often seen as the face of American performance, but it wasn't always Ford's top seller. Before electric and gas pony car debates took over, the Torino quietly surpassed Mustang sales and won over buyers looking for more versatility. The Torino, available as a hardtop, fastback, and convertible, offered a mix of style, performance, and practicality.

Ford ended its production in 1970, but the model's impact on the Blue Oval lineup remains worth remembering.

Starting in 1970, the Torino outsold the Mustang. In 1971. Ford's midsize lineup, including sedans, hardtops, fastbacks, Broughams, GTs, Cobras, and wagons, beat the pony car by more than 2 to 1. By 1972, the gap widened to nearly four times the Mustang's sales. Production numbers show the Torino hitting 496,645 units in 1972 versus the Mustang's 125,813.

The Torino debuted in 1968 as a premium Fairlane variant, and it was so well received that it replaced the Fairlane nameplate after 1970.

The Torino also took on the Chevrolet Chevelle. While the Chevelle saw massive sales growth through the 1960s. Ford's redesigned Torino outsold it in 1972-496,645 units to 450,842. The Torino's engine lineup ranged from a 145-horsepower inline-six to a 375-horsepower V8. The 1970 model year was the peak, with a base 429-cubic-inch V8 producing 480 lb-ft of torque and the Super Cobra Jet 429 rated at 370 horsepower, though it was likely underrated from the factory.

In a 1970 road test, Motor Trend gave the Torino its Car of the Year award. 99-second quarter-mile. Ford also built the Talladega, an aero-focused special edition designed for NASCAR. It featured an elongated nose and unique body panels, winning 11 races in a row before a 1970 ban ended its racing career.

Ford built about 754 Talladegas to homologate the model, and they now fetch over six figures at auction.

Ford also experimented with a King Cobra prototype, fitting a 1970 Torino Sportsroof with a large nose cone. Three prototypes were built with different 429 engines, but handling issues and NASCAR's increased homologation requirements killed the project. Today, Torino GTs are relatively affordable.

Values from Hagerty show a 1968 fastback with a 302 in good condition at $13,800, while a 1970 Sportsroof with a 351 is around $26,100. Cobra Jet-equipped GTs are worth more, with a 1970 example in good condition estimated at $45,800. Auction results on Bring a Trailer have occasionally come in below those estimates, making the Torino a solid insider pick for buyers.