Engine - 302 cubic-inch V8
Transmission - 3-speed automatic
Horsepower - 210 at 4,400 rpm (factory)
Production - 5,317 GT Convertibles

“The Word’s Out… Torino’s In”

For the 1968 model year, Ford revamped its mid-size Fairlane lineup and debuted a new upscale sub-model, the Torino. Named after the city of Turin (Torino, in Italian), the city was regarded as "the Italian Detroit" having its own illustrious history of crafting beautiful cars. The name Torino had notably been one of the options initially considered for the Mustang during its development process several years earlier. The 1968 Fairlane and Torino utilized a unibody chassis design, sharing the same platform as the 1966 and 1967 models. The front suspension featured a short/long arm configuration with coil springs mounted on an upper control arm and a strut-stabilized lower control arm. The rear suspension consisted of a solid axle supported by semi-elliptical leaf springs. For V8 equipped vehicles, a heavy-duty suspension option was offered, which incorporated reinforced springs and shock absorbers. As a well-received new model for Ford, the Torino GT was selected as the official pace car for the 1968 Indianapolis 500.

This example is one of just 709 Pace Car Promotion package-equipped Torino GT convertibles sold. Produced on May 11th, 1968, this Torino convertible was originally delivered to Cecil Whitebone, Inc. in San Francisco, California. Finished in its factory color combination of Wimbledon White over two-tone blue vinyl, this Torino GT represents a blend of attractive originality with restrained modernization to key mechanical components - an engaging and sophisticated alternative to more common muscle cars of the late-60s.