You can be forgiven for doing a double-take on this 1971 Ford Torino GT convertible because they're so rare (only 1613 were built) that very few people even know they exist. Fortunately, this one does exist and looks great with its trademark "laser stripe" down its flanks, and with a strong-running 351 cubic inch V8 under the hood, it's got enough power to match its racy look.The Torino can probably be considered Ford's answer to the Chevelle, but sadly it was a distant second in the popularity contest vs. Chevy's erstwhile A-body. However, if more people had seen a car like this Torino GT convertible, perhaps the numbers would have changed. Ford didn't advertise it very much, giving it one lonely photo in their 1971 brochure where it was easy to overlook. This one is finished in handsome code V Light Pewter Metallic, which is the car's original color and looks pretty classy on the big ragtop. It was repainted a few years ago and the paint is holding up quite well, with a great shine and panel alignment that suggests this was always a clean, straight car. There are plenty of performance styling cues, most notably the hood scoop and the aforementioned laser stripe along its flanks, and the hidden headlights work rather well on the redesigned Torino, although these are a little finicky. The 1970 redesign also added a full-width taillight, a design element that would sweep through the entire FoMoCo lineup in the early '70s, but scarcely does it look better than on the Torino.The handsome white interior offers cloth inserts on the seats that add an upscale look and plenty of comfort to the big ragtop. Black carpets work with a dark dash to keep it from being too bright inside, and the arrow-style design on the door panels mirrors the overall look of the car's profile. The big, wide instrument panel puts all the controls right in front of the driver, including the factory A/C, which remains fully functional today. The carpets are in excellent condition, and while the seats show some light wear, they remain comfortable enough for all-day cruises. The original AM radio still lives in the center of the dash, and the lack of a console makes it feel positively huge inside. And speaking of huge, the trunk is quite spacious and uses a typical Ford plaid mat and includes a full jack assembly as well. Overhead, there's a black power convertible top with glass rear window and a new white boot.Power comes from a 351 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor, a specification necessitated by the era but still able to deliver torquey performance that's a lot of fun. The engine bay is quite stock, with Ford Blue in all the right places, a stock air cleaner, and that big A/C compressor which has been converted to R134a refrigerant. It starts almost instantly and idles so smoothly that you'd swear it's a Lincoln, not a Ford, and all that torque makes it feel lively on the street. The 3-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and there are 3.00 gears in back to make it a fantastic highway cruiser that just eats up pavement. There's a fresh Flowmaster exhaust system underneath that just sounds awesome and the underside is pretty original yet in very good condition overall. The low-key look is enhanced by the plain-Jane hubcaps and sporty 225/70/15 white-letter radials.Documented as one of four by the Marti Report, this is a rare Ford convertible that delivers V8 power and a great look that will have onlookers asking you questions every time you stop. Call today!