Ford Torino GT, for sale in Solon, Ohio, for $69,990.

1970 Ford Torino GT Convertible

What's the ultimate '70 Torino like? It has to be a 429 Cobra Jet car, it has to have a four speed, and it's got to look amazing. How about Candyapple Red over white, with a white top? Add in some bucket seats, a big Shaker scoop sticking through the hood, laser side stripes, road wheels and more and you've got the makings of a brilliant car. Now, ratchet up the build quality to a national show-winning level and you've got the car you're looking at. While born a ho-hum 302 car, this Torino has blossomed into the ultimate Ford intermediate-platform dream car!

1970 429 Cobra Jet/four speed Torino convertibles are rare. Only 27 were built with the Shaker hood, and they're worth a ton. Most Torinos are only done to an acceptable standard, too. You see them, and they may shine, but the details are lacking, to say the least. This car's different. It's been so significantly reworked, so meticulously finished that it stands in a class by itself. Honesty, the only person who goes this far on a car like this has to be a true enthusiast!

There were only around 4000 1970 Torino convertibles built, and that makes it hard to find one with an exceptional body if you're going to build a show car like this one. This one has the goods: Super clean floors, perfect framerails, stellar quarter panels and more make up the basis of this show winner. The entire body was stripped to bare metal before being reworked, smoothed and straightened. The floors are done in the appropriate red oxide primer while the upper panels wear gleaming red. Door, hood and trunk gaps are much better than factory spec, and all panels close reassuringly solidly.

To come as close as possible to the real thing, no details were overlooked. Power steering and disc brakes make driving a pleasure up front. Out back, there's a Traction-Lok equipped 9” axle. That's not enough, though—the builders also cut in the staggered driver's side shock mount! Why bother with such an unseen detail? Because it's supposed to be there. That's the theme of the whole build: No cut corners, anywhere.

Under the hood is a brilliantly detailed 429 engine. There's a lot to take in, so let's start at the front. That's the proper radiator, fan and shroud for a 429 doing their cooling duties. The motor itself is a brilliant blue, smooth and shiny. There's a Pertronix kit getting together with a new cap, rotor and reproduction spark plug wires for spark. A proper Holley hides under the air cleaner, the exhaust manifolds hang at the sides in crisp cast gray and even the factory style lift hooks are in place. All new wiring, all new belts and hoses, a proper washer fluid bottle, reproduction battery cables and more are in their proper places. Visually those big aluminum valve covers announce something's special here, while the rumble from the exhaust comes courtesy of a great sounding cam. Sure, the original 302 might have gotten better fuel economy, but that burly 429 turns heads everywhere and fits like a glove!

Inside, the interior screams “fresh!” New upholstery, new door panels, a mint dash pad, new carpeting, new pedal pads. . you need to see it to appreciate it. The gauges are clear, bright and functioning, the radio plays both AM and FM stations, the shifter sticking through the center console meets your hand like an old friend, and the motor sounds just so good with the exhaust underneath and the Shaker hood breathing ahead!

Outside, there isn't a single issue. The bodywork is amazing, straight and flat. The paint shines in the sun like few other cars. The chrome is all new or redone, the stainless true and clear and the grille is the nicest GT piece I've ever seen. New wheels wear new tires, new glass is in every opening, new laser stripes and badges, new wheel lip moldings, a new convertible top on a restored frame. . even the wipers are new. Check out the pictures for yourself!

Mechanically the car is virtually new. Every piece of the braking system is new, all of the steering and suspension components are new or professionally rebuilt, and everything works as it should. The transmission and clutch work great, the steering wheel holds straight and the car rides beautifully. It's so nice you might be tempted to leave it parked, but you'd miss out on a truly enjoyable driving experience!

“Experts” will point out past auction sales, internet ads and cars on Craigslist when they try to wrap their heads around this car. Yes, it's priced higher than nearly every Torino out there. No, it's not a real 429 car. We don't need market lessons or eBay links to other cars. None of those cars are as nice as this one. Nobody spends the money and the time to turn out a gem like this—it's simply not good sense to do so. We're willing to wager that this is one of the top 5 or 6 nicest '70 Torino convertibles on the planet, and we mean it. The enthusiast that built this car spent more than $110,000 to finish it, and that's more than ANY '70 Torino is worth! This was a labor of love, where the car itself was valued more than dollars can express. If you're looking for an amazing car, one that you simply won't find in this condition anywhere, in great colors, this is your car.