1975 Ford Elite

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 14, 2007 | 03:29 PM

Nitramjr

Thread Starter

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 4,004

Likes: 1

From: North of Boston MA

1975 Ford Elite

I am going to look at a '75 Elite tomorrow and was wondering what folks know about these cars. I know it is a descendant of the Torino/Gran Torino and it is a close relative of the T-bird but that is about all I know of these cars.

It is supposedly in "mint" condition, has a 351W and I am told it has 31k documented miles.

So, what can people tell me about it.

In case you are wondering why? I saw an ad, like the '70's cars and because I have a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket.....

Sep 14, 2007 | 04:10 PM

merlynr

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,069

Likes: 1

I bought a 3 year old 75 Elite with low miles and kept it about 5 years and I had two things go wrong with it in that time. Duraspark ignition module went out and had to be replace. Oil pressure sending unit went bad scaring me to death as the oil gauge went to zero. Other than that it was a great vehicle with a huge gas tank, over 20 gallons. One of my favorite cars of all time. When I sold it still only had about 70,000 miles and engine was flawless.

Sep 14, 2007 | 07:25 PM

NorminN.B.

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2000

Posts: 136

Likes: 0

From: Saint John, N.B. Canada

I just bought a 75 Cougar XR7, it is more like the Elite than the Torino. Only difference I can see is in the trim and the front grill.

Sep 14, 2007 | 07:53 PM

Mil1ion

New User

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 0

Likes: 24

"Elite" is just a Trim Level.

Sep 14, 2007 | 07:57 PM

Nitramjr

Thread Starter

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 4,004

Likes: 1

From: North of Boston MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mil1ion

"Elite" is just a Trim Level.

Not in the '75 models. Elite was a separate model. In earlier years the Elite was a trim level of the Gran Torino, in '75 it was its own vehicle.

Sep 14, 2007 | 09:09 PM

ranger1999 Bob

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,292

Likes: 0

i had one too and it was a nice riding car lousy mileage but a nice riding car

Sep 14, 2007 | 09:22 PM

Nitramjr

Thread Starter

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 4,004

Likes: 1

From: North of Boston MA

Thanks for the replies. I am not really looking for anything in particular and this one just kinda caught my eye. Gas mileage wouldn't be a concern since I would be registering it as an antique and wouldn't be driving it much.

I looked at some specs and it says that the 351W that came in it was 143HP....i do believe I'd have to do something about that.....

Sep 15, 2007 | 05:46 PM

GLR

FTE Legend

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 54,132

Likes: 2,455

From: NY and VA

The Grand Torino Elite was 1974, the Elite by itself was only 75-76. My son is restoring a 76 with 351W. When I found out that they were only made for a couple of years, I just had to drag a 75 parts car up from VA..... Just recently on craigslist (Ithaca, NY)there is a 76(body shot) and I found one in a junkyard with an factory 8-track player in it. There not bad cars, and rugged. Several people have wanted to buy them for demolition derbies. Enjoy

Sep 15, 2007 | 07:10 PM

#10

osbornk

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 2,511

Likes: 0

From: Marion, VA

I helped a friend of mine buy a new one. It was on the T-Bird frame, was large and heavy. It was larger then the Torino. It had a 351M (modified Cleveland). As was typical of the 70s, it floated down the road and handling was lacking but it was a very nice car..