For most people, saying “Torino police car” evokes memories of a red-and-white mid-1970s Gran Torino wearing slot mags being driven by an actor who actively hated the car. And I’ll admit, I’m one of those people. Between what Hollywood and television taught me, most police cruisers in the early 1970s were the full-size cars, not the intermediates. You can feel free to correct me if I’m wrong with that assumption; being born about ten years after the facts doesn’t help with what I know when it comes to 1970s police cruisers, but if I’m hunting down a 1970 Ford with police pedigree, I’m looking at an LTD or Galaxie, not a Torino. Just off of that hunch, I’m suspecting that this 1970 Torino sedan is either a tribute, or is rarer than hen’s teeth if it’s a real-deal, used cop car.
We aren’t saying it’s a bad thing that a 351-2V Torino sedan got dolled up in police gear…if anything, it’s saved the car from an otherwise promised extinction. But no crook ever had it so good as to sit on green paisley benches as they headed to the GrayBar Hotel for a stay, and there certainly wasn’t any use for full carpeting or power windows. But the overall setup makes us think of a small-town squad car, down to the Ford dog-dish caps on black steelies.
It has to be said, though: this Torino would look better as a slickroof cruiser, or even better, as a detective’s car, The massive gumball lights and antler rack assembly probably isn’t doing the 351 any favors above forty miles an hour. But returned to all-green, on the hubcaps, with the one big antenna hooked at the car’s hip…yeah, that’s looking better and better.
eBay Link: 1970 Ford Torino
Well – I’d certainly have a perp on that “paisely” seat…..
One tidbit, when I was working Ford service in the ’70’s a cop told me the Plymouths layed down about 95mph and the 429 powered Torino’s would do 120 (with a smile on his face). Had to be scary in either car! Years later they praised 5.0 fox Mustangs speed but said if chase went to a dirt road they were uncontrollable and would swap ends lol.
Ad states replica. the builder didn’t even want to put a county name on it. Just having fun.
That said, in some places sheriffs were able to pick a personal car that met criteria and the dept. such as it was would pay for paint and equipment and give them lease payments, done also w/ fire departments and postal contractors. So it’s not out of the question an unusual car could be a cop car. That would be a pretty “Mayberry RFD”-type situation though.
The interior is nice! That seat material I believe is called “Brocade”, Ford and GM used it in the ’70’s (my ’73 Torino had it) it didn’t hold up well that’s why I’m amazed it’s in such nice shape. That car was probably a nice one owner jewel until they did “that” to it, it deserves better.