This 1968 Ford Torino GT is a clean example that is powered by its factory 428 Cobra Jet V8 paired to a Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic transmission. The original owner traded in his 1961 Chevy convertible for this car on June 19, 1968 at Fred Ford Auto Sales in Blountville, Tennessee and kept the fastback for 48 years until it was purchased by the selling dealer two months ago. The car is well-preserved after being consistently garaged since new and was recently serviced by the dealer after twenty years of storage. Work included a new gas tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, brakes, brake lines, master cylinder and booster, radiator core, water pump, and a rebuild of the 4-barrel carburetor. The car is now said to be running strong and is sold with its original window sticker, owner’s manuals, registration documents, receipts from purchase, period literature, and a clean Tennessee title.

The Raven Black paint is accented with factory-applied gold stripes and is largely original aside from a few small areas of touch ups. The finish has held up well over time, though the seller notes that the paint is a little thin in some places and some wear can be seen behind each wheel well. Several minor dents and dings are also said to exist, including three small dents on the driver-side of the roof.

The windshield was recently replaced by the seller, and all of the remaining original glass is clean and clear. The chrome trim looks bright with no pitting or oxidation, though a few dents are present on the front edge trim on the hood. The grille-mounted GT emblem and the 428 badging was borrowed from full-sized Fords, and the lights and indicators are said to be functional.

The car is optioned with power disc brakes and wide oval tires. Recent service included a refresh of the brake system with new pads, shoes, lines, master cylinder, and booster. The original 14″ steel wheels are in nice shape and wear Goodyear Eagle ST tires. The original spare wheel and tire are still present in the trunk.

The interior is in stock configuration and was ordered with a factory bench seat in front. The black vinyl upholstery in in good condition for its age, with some normal wear and a tear on the driver-side of the front bench being the only visible faults. The dash is smooth with no cracks, and the original carpeting is slightly faded but appears clean and taut.

The original owner ordered the car without power steering or air conditioning, but opted for the tachometer. All of the gauges and lights are operating as they should, and the original AM/FM radio delivers sound through the factory speakers. The odometer shows just over 62k miles and is believed accurate.

Introduced in April 1968, the 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet V8 was a rare option and was said to be under-rated at 335 horsepower when new. The motor sits in a tidy engine compartment with clean surfaces, new hoses, and orderly wiring. Power is distributed through the 3-speed Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic transmission that evolved from the previous Ford-O-Matic unit designed by Borg Warner.

The seller recently performed some mechanical work to repair the effects of longterm storage. The repairs include a new gas tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, radiator core (reused the top tank), all hoses, belts, ignition parts, plugs, wires, and rebuild of the 735 CFM Holley 4-barrel carburetor. The engine is said to hold compression within the factory specs and consistently between all eight cylinders. The transmission is reported to shift smoothly, and there are no unusual driveline noises or vibrations. The seller has kept most of the old original parts and will include them in the sale.

Several photos of the undercarriage show a solid frame and chassis with no significant corrosion apparent, though surface rust is evident on many of the engine and suspension components.

The original owner retained most of the paperwork from the purchase in 1968. Documents include the original window sticker, hand-written ordering specs and price quote, sales receipt, title, registration and loan paperwork, owner’s manuals, and period literature.