Project "Grand Touring" 69 Torino GT Formal Roof
 

Hi All,

Last winter I decided its time to look in to updating the rear suspension and mini tubbing the car.

Since nobody makes a kit for a Torino, I wanted to find someone local who could do the work on the car. That led me to Steve at East Bay Muscle Cars in Brentwood.

I brought my car down to Steve's shop so we could put the car on a lift and take some measurements. He happened to have a kit for a Camaro that we were able to compare and it looked like it could be adapted to my chassis. After some detail measurements Steve decided that he could adapt a DSE Quadralink to the Torino.

We both aggreed that I could fit a 12" wide wheel with a 335 or 345 tire so I ordered 19x12's and 18x8 Rushforth SuperSpokes with polished hoops and smoked titanium centers. Once the wheels arrive I brought the car down to Steve so he could start working on the car.

With the inner tubs removed here is a shot of the car with the rear wheels and tires test fitted.
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...67_JT43P-M.jpg
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...96_i8RQW-M.jpg

Finished wheel tubs.
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...4_JFRGN-XL.jpg
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...0_Z3gZ8-XL.jpg

DSE Quadralink install almost complete!
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...58_TtkDn-M.jpg
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...79_jDaV3-M.jpg
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...13_FLtBo-M.jpg
http://torino420.smugmug.com/Torino-...97_KQX8n-M.jpg

By this time, the panhard bar should be installed and shocks and new axles are on the way.

That looks hot man. :thumbsup:

Looks good man!
Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

Very sweet!

Steve is a great dude and you should be in great hands.

very nice! I like seeing alternative car builds.

What do you mean by formal roof though? Do you mean it's not a fastback?

thanks and yes the non fastbacks were called formal roof's or coupe if you will.
I've heard formal roof hardtop too but yea its not a fastback :)
If you're not familiar with the car here is another pic, I realized without the trunk on, it may be hard to tell.
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/183021279_uxoS7-M.jpg

Wow, that looks so much different than a fastback one. I actually like it better and I like the fastback ones. I never knew they came as a formal roof. Were they simply a "normal" model while the fastbacks were the sport models if you will? What are the build numbers like for that style do you know? I honestly think this is the first one I have ever seen.

Well it seems that the fastbacks were more popular but even the formal roofs came in "cobra" models with the 428 CJ. Not sure on production numbers though but they are obviously more rare then the fastbacks.
here is an example:
http://listverse.files.wordpress.com...pg?w=400&h=300

Nice looking car!:thumbsup:
I'm really digging the color.

Nice build.
A couple of questions regarding the DSE install. What are you using for the upper shock mount? Will you use the DSE "channel" or? How about the swivel links---did you order them unwelded so you could cut to fit or use the stock GM length? I've pondered this for my Mopar project before so I'm curious as to the details.

Thanks, Wes