Known for its “Coke-bottle” styling, the mid-size 1972 Gran Torino Sport was characterized by its long hood, short deck, and available “SportsRoof” fastback roofline. There was also no mistaking its one-year-only grille design (sometimes referred to as the “fishmouth”).
The brochure for 1972 models said, “Each Gran Torino Sport gives you lines that say action and mean it. With emphasis like integral hood scoops, dual racing mirrors, wide-oval white sidewalls, sporty trim rings with hub caps, and a jaunty new oval grille.”
Standard features for the year included a three-speed manual transmission, manual front disc brakes, DirectAire ventilation, high-back bench seat, lower bodyside moldings, concealed windshield wipers, and “Lifeguard” safety equipment. The ’72 Gran Torino Sport could be optioned with engines ranging in size from a 302ci V-8 to a 429ci V-8, with the 351 Cobra Jet offering the most horsepower.
In the late 1980s, my dad bought a 1972 Gran Torino Sport as his carpool car since he commuted about 100 miles per day for work. We named the car after “Slimer,” the green antagonist in the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters.”
Dad’s car had its share of issues. Among them, the heater core was on the fritz, so there was a coolant leak inside the passenger footwell. But that didn’t stop him from driving the car until the engine finally gave up — and by that time, rust was taking over the body anyway (this was in northern Utah, after all).
One of my memories with Slimer involved a time when Dad picked us up from the skating rink and did some donuts in the snow-laden street. My brothers and I laughed our heads off.
We have only a few photos of the Gran Torino Sport, and it always seemed to be lurking in the background. Two of the pics (including the above) show my youngest brother wearing an oversized coat. He’s is now 38 years old, so that may tell you how long ago the pictures were taken.
The below pic shows our family’s freshly-detailed 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix (Mom’s car) with Slimer in the background. That’s me at left in the purple sporting period-correct high-tops.
And here’s a picture of dad’s F-250, again with the Gran Torino Sport hiding out back in the same parking space.
I’ve toyed with the idea of tracking down a Gran Torino Sport like dad’s old car but, for now, I’m content with keeping memories of Slimer tucked away. After all, I still get flashbacks of the interior smell every time I get a whiff of a coolant leak.
Do you have any Gran Torino stories of your own?