This Ford Torino barn find had a previous life as a 1970s street racer

  • Check out this amazing 1970 Ford Torino GT 351 barn find 
  • The classic car has an interesting past as a street racer
  • Although it’s been in storage since 1979, the car is in good condition 

Published on Jul 23, 2024 at 2:24 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid

Last updated on Jul 23, 2024 at 7:10 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

A 1970 Ford Torino GT 351 barn find was previously used as a street racer. How cool is that?

The Ford Torino was launched back in 1968, with a line-up of 14 models including the sporty GT version. 

By 1970, Ford had moved on to its second generation of Torinos, including the two-door Torino GT, which came with either a ‘sports roof’ or as a convertible. 

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The Ford Torino GT was found in a barn

The new models also boasted revised interiors, while the GT had optional bucket seats. 

The classic cars look as cool today as they did back in the 1970s – and one great example was found in a barn recently, which appears to have an interesting past. 

It maybe not quite as intriguing as this 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, which was found with a rifle on the front seat, but it is less threatening.

The 1970 Ford Torino Original 351 Cleveland spent time as a ‘street racer’, according to eBay seller 69-z28

However, after being put in storage way back in 1979, it’s now a ‘bare bones’ car that would be ideal for going straight. 

The listing explains that it has no power steering and no power brakes – not only that but after spending so much time in storage the engine, which had been rebuilt before it was stored, had seized up. 

In an attempt to bring it back to life, the guys who found it ‘soaked the cylinders with our secret mixture for about a month’.

Somewhat miraculously, the engine does now turn over and attempts to run but it’s ‘not good’ and may need taking apart.

The car is in pretty good condition

The Torino still has the original 4-speed and the original Hurst shifter.

Outwardly, the car is in pretty good condition, especially considering the fact it’s spent decades in storage, with very little rust or damage. 

It has its original Shaker hood, decent floors, and a solid body; the interior also looks good. 

However, the seller does note there was some damage caused by a wheel that came off – but says all required parts are included in the sale, meaning it could be a nice little project for someone who has their eyes on fixing up a classic. 

If you’re keen, the car currently has a top bid of $7,600.

# Tags - Barn Finds, Cars


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Claire Reid

Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Across her career she's covered a wide variety of topics, including celebrity, cryptocurrency, politics, true crime and just about everything in between.