It has the classic ultra-flimsy bumper peaks at the mounting points from smacking into hard stuff...like wind. The front leaf springs have likely been re-arched, as it doesn't nose down.

Bitchin'. Rad. Cool.

The wheel covers on this are not OEM...at least I don't think they are. If they were, IIRC, you got a choice between dog dish, which I've never seen, or full-on chrome monsters, which mine had.

The backup lights may have still been an option in '68, too, but with the changes in lighting, maybe not. Headlight doors from dump truck of the same era rarely get damaged, so the owner should go salvage hunting.

Dual exhaust means 318 V-8. I hope it has a three-speed manual w/the 4.11 rear. Mmmmm...0-45 MPH, or so, surprisingly quick. Then aerodynamics and a tall third gear come in and quash the fun.

Yeah...I had one. First car, had been in the family from new, ordered from the factory, and was one year older than I. A one-ton, LWB, 318 V8, manual (no first gear synchro, which resulted in my 'clearing' first gear, to this day...just can't help it), 4.11 positrac rear, both rear seats, seat belts for all passengers, and a chrome AM radio which had knobs heavy enough to hurt someone if you threw it at 'em. Mine was a Sportsman, but not the top-of-the-line, think Limited version, one with a chrome strip running around the body and two-tone paint. I think those had both a horn ring, damnit, so cool, and a chrome ring around the gauge cluster. I've seen only one, so...

When I was 12-13, I drew it up Mad Max-style in a pencil drawing. Even had notes as to how thick the plating should be. Wish I still had that sketch after seeing the Deathwagon, earlier. The 'roo bar on mine was designed with integral spikes...for zombies and errant death-cycles, not chain.

I actually saw a 108" wheelbase passenger van (windows all 'round) last week here in Arlington, TX. It was shiny, too, and the owner, like us, was seeking shelter from approaching hail and high winds in the local shopping mall parking garage.

I try to keep my nice beaters out of storms which may leave dents deep enough to result in puddles on horizontal surfaces.

Enough reminiscing. Gotta find a job before Gator-O-Rama, or I might have to go. My wife has already decided we're going, and she already wants to plan out a race site-wide pot-luck.

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and you can see the hep kids who loved them:

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And I prefer my Sapporo in beer form.

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I have to say, DOTS left me noticing a lot more interesting survivor cars.

The extra info in writeups has really filled out my old car knowledge beyond the more popular classics.

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Murlopnik rules!

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Anyone know, or have access to, the actual sales/production numbers on Torinos vs. Gran Torino, LTD vs. Galaxie, Bel Air/Biscayne vs. Impala/Caprice, Chevelle Malibu vs. plain ol' Chevelles, etc. from this time period? I am venturing at least 5 to 1 in favor of the "luxury" models...

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I wouldn't mind the Torino either.

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