From its iconic role on the Starsky & Hutch television show to featured appearances in big-name movies like Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino and Fast & Furious 4, the Ford Torino has carved out a unique niche among classic car enthusiasts.
Despite its passionate following, however, the aftermarket has been slow to embrace the Torino as a vehicle worth celebrating. But that’s all changing with the introduction of upgraded front and rear suspension setups from the chassis experts at Heidts Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts.
“The Torino may not be the most popular car around, but the people who have them love them,” said Scott Diedrich of Heidts. “At Heidts, we celebrate every build and understand that rare vehicles deserve the same quality and functionality as the cars you see every day.”
Up front, the Heidts Superide II Independent Front Suspension for 1970-’71 Torinos provides a true independent anti-dive upgrade for these heavy-but-powerful classics, adding safety and reliability in an adjustable coil-over system.
The complete hub-to-hub kits come with a Superide II crossmember, tubular upper and lower control arms, power rack and pinion steering, billet adjustable coil-over shocks with springs, and 11″ rotors with 4-piston Wilwood brakes. Standard or drop spindles are also included, bringing the car’s ride height down 2″-4″ respectively.
Available upgrades include double-adjustable coil-over shocks and 12″ and 13″ Wilwood brake packages to dial in at the track.
The IFS is designed to be paired with a Heidts 4 Link Rear Suspension Kit—otherwise the rear will sit quite high. The 4 Link kits are built specifically for the Torino and come standard with brackets, links and hardware, plus coil-over shocks and springs.
The Torino 4 Link is designed to work with the bulletproof 9″ rear end, and is available with housings, axles and posi-trac third members.
“There doesn’t seem to be many parts manufactured for the Torino, so we’re very excited to serve this particular audience of enthusiasts,” Diedrich noted. “Torino builds are for people who enjoy the challenge of doing something different—not just another Mustang or Camaro—and Heidts is known for having our finger on the pulse of the industry. We’re happy to support these unique projects that are a little bit out of the ordinary.”
Currently a cheaper option for builders to explore, there’s a lot to love about Torinos, from their larger trunks to massive engine compartments that can easily accommodate a Coyote engine swap. For more information about the Torino upgrades, visit heidts.com