The Torino had originally come with the standard headlight package. The optional hideaway front headlight system was acquired and installed in the front grill with custom white trim.

A new crate 351 Windsor fit nicely onto the original 351 mounts. The new Winsor has a Holley 650 double pumper delivering fuel and air aided by a potent Paxton NOVI 1200 supercharger. Out the bottom end, hooker headers provide ample breathing and added horsepower. The exhaust is carried out to the back through custom aluminum exhaust pipes with custom dual-port tips. A new aluminum radiator with twin electric fans provides cooling. The starter, alternator and power steering pump were replaced with new units.

The tranny is original but the factory overdrive unit was completely rebuilt and beefed up. The rear end is a Ford 9” with 3:55 gears.

The brakes were also overhauled with new power booster, master cylinder, brake lines, rotors, calipers and proportioning valve, along with new SSBC front and rear disc brakes. The Torino also received new shocks and lowered front coils for the desired stance, improved ride and handling.

Wheels and tires feature Foose Nitrous II 20” chrome rims with Toyo 275/40 tires on the rear and 245/40’s on the front.

Autodream also installed a new ‘painless’ wiring harness for the entire car with a new “Optima” red top high crank 12 volt battery custom fitted behind the rear seat.

The radical interior features a complete custom dash with “Dakota” digital gauges and vintage air A/C control. The centre console is completely custom fabbed and features a new shifter and centre handbrake lever to replace the original foot brake. The custom covered front seats are originally out of a 1988 Mustang GT and custom covered in tan and blue accent to match the exterior. The deck lid is also custom fabbed with new teardrop speaker grilles. Headliner and carpeting is also custom, as are the door panels and stainless steel “TAG” logos. The appealing tilt/ telescoping steering wheel and column is from Flaming River. The steering wheel even features a custom matching tan cover from Flaming River. The seat belts are new three point units in matching tan.

The dash also sports a Panasonic double din DVD-Nav unit and sound is delivered through 6 ½” component speakers in the custom kick-panels under the dash and under the rear deck lid. This is all powered by a hefty 5-channel amp custom boxed in the trunk, as is the 12” sub woofer to really annoy the neighbors. Code Alarm 2-way remote alarm system with pager is hidden in an undisclosed location.

The Torino was eventually sold on January 11, 2010 to Ike Diogu, of the New Orleans Hornets NBA basketball team. That presented the Autodream boys with an unusual challenge. Ike measures 6’ 9” and weighs in at a very muscular 250 pounds. That’s not big for an NBA star center but it sure is for a custom 1970 Torino GT. In order to accommodate big Ike, the driver’s side floor and seat were lowered and moved back and the frame connectors had to be reinforced.

Two of the Autodream staff flew to Dallas on Feb. 27, 2010 weekend, where the Torino had been shipped by enclosed trailer.  As luck would have it, Ike who plays for New Orleans but lives in Dallas, happened to be in town for a game that weekend. This allowed The Autodream Group to present the Torino at the stadium and see a game too!