1976 Ford Elite

1976 Ford Elite Styled to keep you out of the crowd, priced so you can enjoy it now. Some cars create their own distinction. The Ford Elite is one of them. And you don't have to wait a lifetime to have this kind of distinction. From a marketing brochure circa 1976. Our consignor self describes this car as having the experience of \"driving down the road on your sofa\" which is a good thing! Bought from the original owner who special ordered it from Altoona Ford, and since then a mere 43,018 consigner stated miles have been put on. Our consignor has put a new AC system in, and a current PA inspection is on the car having passed with flying colors. Let's explore this luxurious car and see if we can find some spare change in the cushions! Exterior Factory Polar White bathes the big steel slabs on this car and they have no rust in my sights. A red side trim is on the midpoint and a red Odense half vinyl roof is seen framing the rear passenger compartment's roofline. All this textured vinyl is nearly perfect with no fading. Dual \"italicized\" vertical windows are set into each B pillar within this top. Where it meets the paint it is perfect with no rust. A nice hexagonal curved outward grille with panels of egg crate chrome is flanked by a single round headlight on either side and the turn signals are on each corner of the front quarters and are just a bit forward of the center of the grille. A large bumper is below and presenting in very good condition as are the covers between the body and the chrome. A long hood sweeps rearward to the front glass, and all gaps along the way are well minded. Chrome mirrors on either side are also nearly showroom. In back just under the 3 bedroom sized trunk lid are horizontal tail lights that wrap slightly around the rear quarters. More shiny chrome for the rear bumper and the covers are perfect body matching and no cracking. 15-inch jet engine turbine style wheels are wrapped with thin white walls all around. Interior Inside I'm literally seeing red and in this case, it starts on the doors with a center panel of tuck and roll padded vinyl. This panel is within a burl wood frame with thin chromed edges. The armrest, actuator and window crank as well as the side view mirror toggle is here. Below is red carpeting and above the frame continues in red vinyl. Inside the red keeps on keepin' on with a front and rear bench covered in red broadcloth for the seats and backs and red vinyl for the bolsters. The broadcloth has a subtle small square pattern within it and sports white stitching between the seams. Upfront more wood burl for the cluster which is a lineup of circular inset gauges and eyeball A/C vents. Below is a black panel for the climate sliders light pull and radio. Above is padded red vinyl and there are no cracks or blemishes. Clean thick pile red carpeting is flooding the floors, and above is a tight red smooth shiny vinyl headliner. Just like sitting on the couch at home sans the TV, BUT now you have the world going by, what could be more entertaining? Drivetrain A lift of the long hood, and what to my wandering eye appears but a highly detailed clean and shiny engine bay with a blue block, air cleaner cover and valve covering 351ci Windsor V8. This has the factory 2-barrel carb on top and a C4 3-speed automatic transmission on back. A Ford 9-inch 2.75 gas saving rear axle is taking power from the 3-speed auto. Undercarriage Some patina and slight surface rust but it's very scarce under here. Floor pans, toe kicks, and rockers are solid as is the dual exit at the engine to 1 pipe exhaust. Independent coil spring suspension is upfront and on back a 3 link with coil springs. Power disc braking is on the front and power drums on the rear. Looking all original and all good. Drive-Ability I hopped in this square and rectangle mid 70's yacht and off to the test track I went. My partner in crime drove so I could watch the world go by and maybe even fall asleep. He reported smooth acceleration, good easy automatic shifts to whisk us down the test track. All functions were working save for that pesky clock which is rarely working on any classic. This affordable luxury liner, all original and only 2 owners has me smitten with its design and look right out of 1976. Come on in and have a sit, and like me you'll be looking for the footrest lever. I've already dug out all the change! VIN DECODE 6G21H251070 6-1976 G-Chicago, IL Assy Plant 21-Gran Torino Elite 2 Door Hardtop H-351ci V8 2bbl 152hp 251070-Sequential Unit Number DOOR STICKER BODY 65H-Elite 2 Door Hardtop COLOR 9D-Polar White ND-Red Odense Vinyl Roof TRIM AD-Red Cloth/Vinyl Bench TRANS W-C4 3 Speed Automatic AXLE 2-Ford 9\" 2.75 Conventional DSO 14-Pittsburgh