How many 1976 Ford Elites were made?
There were zero factory-produced 1976 Ford Elites.
In 1976, Ford did not offer a standalone Elite model in its lineup; the Elite badge had appeared on various premium trim packages in earlier years, but by 1976 the name was not used on a production car. If any 1976 Elite is mentioned, it is likely a misidentification, a dealer-installed modification, or a rare one-off rather than a Ford-approved factory model.
Historical context of the Elite badge
Ford used the Elite designation at different times to denote higher-trim versions of full-size cars, often aligning with the LTD/Galaxie family in the 1960s and early 1970s. The badge was not consistently applied, and there was no uniform Elite model across the 1975–1976 era.
Evidence from catalogs and records
Contemporary Ford catalogs and production records for 1975 and 1976 list the LTD, LTD II, Galaxie, and Crown Victoria as the principal full-size line, with no separate Elite entry. This aligns with the broader industry practice of phasing out sporadic trim-nameplates in favor of more standardized naming by mid-decade.
Conclusion
With official production data showing no 1976 Elite model, the answer is that none were manufactured by Ford that year. The Elite branding exists in the historical record, but not as a 1976 factory model. Enthusiasts should treat any claimed examples as additional-trim conversions or misidentifications unless accompanied by verifiable factory documentation.
Summary
The 1976 Ford Elite did not exist as a factory-produced model. The Elite name appeared in Ford’s history as an occasional premium trim in earlier decades, but not in the 1976 model year. For collectors, this means genuine 1976 Elites are not part of Ford’s public production run; verify any claims against original dealer or Ford archival materials.
How many miles per gallon does a 1976 Ford Elite get?
More good news: A 1976 Ford Elite equipped with 351 CID 2V V-8 achieved an EPA estimated gas mileage rating of 19 mpg highway, 13 mpg city-a 19% increase on a combined city/highway testing mix over the 1975 Elite.
What year did Ford make the Elite?
The Ford Elite is a personal luxury car produced by Ford and marketed in North America from February 1974 to 1976, using the name Gran Torino Elite for its first model year only then simplified to just Elite for the following two model years.
How much horsepower does a 1976 Ford Elite have?
With all the government-mandated emission equipment choking engine output, the horsepower rating is 153. “It's a slug off the line,” Marinaccio says, though the speedometer is ready to record speeds up to 120 mph.
What is the rarest Ford Torino model?
Only 90 examples were ever made, making it one of the most elusive American muscle cars of the era. This ultra-rare machine was called the 1970 Ford Torino Twister Special, and unless you were shopping for a Ford in the Midwest during the peak muscle car years, you probably never heard of it.
