In the feature film Hot Tub Time Machine, John Cusack’s character, Adam, and his misguided cohorts unknowingly travel back in time to the 1980s, where the guys have an opportunity to brighten their future by righting some of the poor decisions they made in the past. It’s a well-covered premise that still inspires people to hope and dream that one day time travel could possibly exist.
This machine sounds like something we all could use at one point or another in our lives. Who hasn’t had the hope of possibly going back to correct some of the mistakes that we all have made somewhere in time? To right the wrongs, to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. To try and make our lives profoundly better. You know, to invest in Apple stock or buy a Hemi ’Cuda convertible and stow it away… it really makes you think.
So, what if you could build your own time travel machine, one that could correct some of the choices you’ve made, while also being the “vehicle” of that very mission. Perhaps a car — a muscle car no less — with all the bells and whistles. Well, if you’re Dan Braun of North Hanover, New Jersey, you’ve already figured out a way to make the time-space continuum work in your favor, while having fun along the way.
![Color image of the rear of a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT.]()
Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
Dan has found a way of going back, a sort of portal providing the means to access the past while living in the present. That time-travelling experience is brought to him courtesy of his ’68 Ford Torino. Dan decided that, instead of searching for the long-lost Torino he had back in high school, he would just build a better version — one that could hit all the high points of his past ride, while adding more modern parts and pieces to yield something even better.
Even though Dan’s ride of choice was from the musclecar ’60s, the target date for his time warp would be set for a more recent period: the days of cassette tapes and day-glo clothes; those wild and crazy ’80s.
“I’ve been building and modifying cars for as long as I can remember. I have a long list of never-should-have-sold-that-one cars, but my ’68 Torino GT is right at the top of that list,” Dan states. The young gun bought his first Torino back in 1981 when he was still in his teens. “It was my cruiser. Lots of memories with my friends during that time. Then I joined the U.S. Army in ’83 and was stationed in Fort Stewart, Georgia. That Ford made numerous trips back and forth from Georgia to New Jersey over the next several years. I was always partial to that Torino. I loved the size and the fastback look.”
![Color image of a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT in action, front 3/4 position.]()
Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
However, like many good things, it soon came to an end. “Life happened: marriage, kids, and a mortgage. I’ve been on my own since I was 17, when my mother passed away; my dad passed when I was 12. I had my 18th birthday in boot camp.” As his adult life developed, responsibilities mounted and sacrifices were needed. “There weren’t any options. I knew I had to do it.” So, in 1988 the Torino was sold off to make way for a more family-oriented ride.
By that time, Dan was out of the regular Army and was serving in the New Jersey National Guard. That decision led to a career in law enforcement as a State Principal Investigator K9. It was during a training session in Tennessee that Dan saw his future ’68 Torino sitting on the side of the road. “I had always regretted selling my first one, so when I saw this car, I stopped and spoke with the owner. It was in bad shape. It did run, but it was nowhere near roadworthy. I was interested in this one as it was an original air-conditioned car. I knew I was going to do a full restoration on it anyway, and I wanted that A/C dash.”
So, Dan left a deposit with the owner and advised him that he would be back the next day. “I drove home to New Jersey that night with a very intense Belgian Malinois. I dropped him off with my wife and asked her to feed the dog while I was gone. My wife has a fear of dogs and told me she wasn’t going to go anywhere near ‘that wolf.’ They did become best friends down the road. But at that moment, I grabbed my trailer and drove 17 hours back to Tennessee to pick up my new trophy.”
![Color closeup of the hood scoop on a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT.]()
Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
Once back home, Dan wasted no time tearing into his new project. “I had a vision and drawings of what I wanted to do.” First to go was the suspension; Dan already knew from previous experience that he didn’t want it to handle like a stock ’68, so a Rod and Custom Motorsports tubular coil-over front suspension and Mustang II rack and pinion were installed.
The new front suspension would require some surgery, as the stock shock towers would have to be removed. But this Torino had suffered years of exposure and would need extensive rust repair — much of the rotten steel in the lower regions was going to have to be cut out and replaced anyway.
“There was plenty of welding and fabrication going on over the weekends,” Dan says of that time. Next were two-inch drop spindles, the installation of Crites full frame rails, and then widened rear wheel tubs for larger tires out back. The rear suspension is made up of an Art Morrison ladder bar three-link, built with adjustable coil-overs and a Panhard bar.
![Color closeup of the radio in a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT.]()
Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
Repairs to the steel to remedy the weathering and other abuses continued. “I welded in new floor pans and I hand fabricated a new cowl and firewall for the car. If this had been a Mustang, I could have gotten anything I wanted and all the parts I needed. They don’t make much for this car, especially not cowls and firewalls. I need a Torino as I don’t fit in Mustangs. I’m six-foot-four and 245. Pony cars don’t work for me!”
The owner finished up the bodywork and prepped it for paint. “That was the only thing I didn’t do on this car. I wanted it done in a shop. My buddy Chris Cather at Island Works in Toms River, New Jersey, laid out the PPG Toxic Orange, after loading it up with an extra dose of pearl.” The color is loud and proud and gets this Torino plenty of attention when it’s out in the light.
![Color closeup of the engine bay in a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT.]()
The 390 now displaces 445 cubic inches and is topped with aluminum heads and intake from Edelbrock. Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
Dan knew he wanted to have plenty of power under his right foot, so he went straight for a big-block. “It’s a 390 FE with a 4.250-inch stroker nodular-iron crank, 6.700-inch forged rods, and flat-top pistons pushing 12.1:1 compression.” A hydraulic flat-tappet Isky cam controls the valvetrain and Edelbrock aluminum heads complete the assembly, topped with a low-rise dual plane manifold and a Quick Fuel 650-cfm carburetor.
A 7-quart Canton front-sump oil pan keeps this beast well-lubed. The front end was dressed up with a Concept One six-groove serpentine system to mount the accessories, including the A/C Dan wanted when he first saw the Torino. Exhaust is handled by Custom Ford PowerTrain (FPA) headers with Hooker electronic exhaust cutouts, 2 ½ inch pipes with X-pipe crossover, and Flowmaster Super 40 mufflers get the tone that Dan desired. “This engine puts out nice horsepower and torque curves. It’s worked flawlessly so far,” Dan states.
All that power is channeled by a Tremec TKO 600 five-speed manual transmission with an 11 ½-inch Centerforce clutch, Quick Time bellhousing, and a hydraulic clutch setup. A heavyduty custom racing driveshaft with a cradle was installed to handle the output, which twists a Ford 9-inch rear with Yukon axles and Grizzly locker 3.73 gears.
![Color closeup of the dash, steering wheel, seats, floor, door panels and interior of a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT.]()
Inside feels factory stock, other than the obvious steering wheel upgrade. But gauges are also updated, and a modern A/C system now blows through factory vents.Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
The interior was nowhere to skimp. “I installed a new harness from Painless to handle everything I needed to add to the Torino.” That list includes a Vintage Air HVAC system, an Iditit tilt column, and Billet Specialties steering wheel, along with a Hurst Competition shifter to get Dan through the gears. As far as the dash goes, the instrument cluster was customized with four-inch Speedhut gauges including a speedometer, a tach, as well as readouts for volts, oil pressure, fuel and temperature. Macs Auto Parts supplied the new upholstery that Dan installed himself.
The car was finished in 2017 and has been featured at the Philadelphia Car Show and on the 102.9 MGK Car Calendar in 2020. It also took first place at the Fairlane/Torino Club of America Dutch Country meet in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Dan sums up the build with this thought: “Driving it reminds me of 40 years ago, cruising town in my original ’68. Once I’m in the seat, I am immediately sent back to the ’80s, remembering the great times I had in my favorite ride. I just built this one with a lot more power and better suspension.”
OWNER’S VIEW
It’s a blast to drive; I get it out as much as possible. I love the sound of it. When a newer model car pulls up and revs its motor, I push a button and open the electronic exhaust cutouts. It’s not a trailer queen, and it was built, not bought. I’d like to thank my wife Monica for putting up with me living in the garage after work, on holidays, and on weekends. A shout-out goes to the Asbury Park Circuit for their recognition and awesome Thursday Night meets. Thanks also go out to all the people who’ve helped along the way. —Dan Braun
![Color closeup image of the rear wheel and tire of a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT.]()
Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
SPECIFICATIONS–1968 Ford Torino GT
ENGINE
Block type: Ford FE-series OHV V-8, cast-iron
Cylinder heads: Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum, #6007
Displacement: 445 cubic inches
Bore x stroke: 4.080 x 4.250 inches
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Horsepower @ rpm: Not tested
Torque @ rpm: Not tested
Camshaft: Isky hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft, .565-in lift, 292 degrees (adv.)
Induction system: Edelbrock aluminum intake, Quick Fuel 650-cfm four-barrel
Ignition system: Pertronix Flame Thrower III electronic distributor and coil
Exhaust system: FPA Ford PowerTrain custom headers, 2.5-in exhaust with electronic cutouts and Flowmaster Super 40 mufflers
TRANSMISSION
Type: Tremec TKO 600 five-speed manual
Ratios: 1st/2.87:1 … 2nd/1.90:1 … 3rd/1.34:1 … 4th/1.00:1 … 5th/0.68:1
DIFFERENTIAL
Type: Ford 9-inch w/ Grizzly locker
Ratio: 3.73:1
STEERING
Type: Rod & Custom Motorsports power assisted rack and pinion
Ratio: 16:1
SUSPENSION
Front: Rod & Custom Motorsports Mustang II type with 2-in drop spindles and adjustable coil-over shocks
Rear: Art Morrison adjustable ladder bar three-link with adjustable rear coil-overs shocks
BRAKES
Front: Wilwood six-piston disc
Rear: Wilwood four-piston disc
WHEELS & TIRES
Wheels: Foose Legend Front: 18 x 8 inches Rear: 20 x 9 inches
Tires: Nitto NT555 Radial Tires Front: 225/40ZR18 97W Rear: 255/35ZR20 97W
PERFORMANCE
Not yet tested
![Color image of a modified 1968 Ford Torino GT parked, slight overhead and rear 3/4 position.]()
Photo by Scotty Lachenauer
