Technically, the Starsky & Hutch ride was supposed to be a Camaro, which in hindsight is nearly unthinkable.Apparently, the producers put in a request for green Camaros from Chevrolet, and Chevy could not accommodate the same.Their loss became the Ford Gran Torino’s gain, especially since the Gran Torino was the cheaper option and sometimes, could offer more performance value than the … However, in one first-season episode (“Kill Huggy Bear”), a close-up shot of the villain cutting the rear brake lines shows “Firestone” on the inside facing side of the tires say. The cars were custom painted (on top of the factory red paint color) with the distinctive white “vector” stripe designed by the transportation coordinator George Grenier. The General Lee is owned by a good friend of mine. At the time, it was mostly unrestored and somewhat battered due to wear and tear from TV show filming and subsequent ownership. The updated version starred Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as Starsky and Hutch with Snoop Dog playing the character of Huggy Bear. Starsky and Hutch with its groovy opening introduced us to the famous “striped tomato” red and white Ford Gran Torino. Due to US Government safety regulations their front and rear bumpers, as well as the front grille differed greatly from the early 70’s model years. Zebra Three is a radio code name, more accurately known as a call sign, given by the fictional "Bay City, California" police department of the iconic 1970s television series Starsky & Hutch to Robbery-Homicide Division detectives David Starsky and Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson; the BCPD was loosely based upon the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) . 1974 Ford Torino Additional Info: Selling: 1974 Torino "Starsky & Hutch Gran Torino" Tribute Car. The car has the 70's era police radio, removable red light, siren and headlight wig-wags. No word as of yet if there’ll be a “Starsky and Hutch” edition, but I certainly wouldn't be too surprised if Ford did offer such a model if sales take off. The first retail sale of Torino #1 was to a resident of Ojai, California; he owned it for one year, then sold it in a private sale to an Air Force officer who owned it for 17 years. It is an affordable vintage vehicle which is a definite eye-catcher you will not be afraid to drive for fear it may get scratched. In 1976 Starsky and Hutch got a 226bhp 460cu Police Interceptor engine. It would be cool if Ford offers a Cobra Jet variant though, to give potential competitors a real run for their ponies. William Blinn, the show’s creator, had originally penned in a green Chevy Camaro convertible as the detective pair’s ride. Ford Gran Torino for hire in NC. Starsky & Hutch Are Guilty_ Ending Double Torino Chase Scene The Torino was called Fairlane Torino originally before coming into its own and marketed as an upscaled Fairlane. I have a Starsky and Hutch replica car on its way in a few weeks; Base car was a 1976 Grand Torino. However, at the release of the version that concerns us, in 1974, the Gran Torino is … There are two ways to be sure it's an original: the VIN begins with "6G30" and the DSO number ends in "0022". The Cobra edition of the Torino was Ford’s most powerful engine/transmission option for the car. After Starsky and Hutch was canceled, the cars were returned to Ford’s Studio-TV Car Lease Program and sold at a Ford Motor Company auction to A.E. The show also focused on the two characters' personal lives as well as their interactions with other police and workers at their precinct. ABC was the last into the field but made a mark for generations to come. This certified camera car Starsky & Hutch 1976 Ford Gran Torino is a genuine star in the Maxmotive Flagship Pittsburgh Showroom. After owning the car for 1 month I sent it to be restored in Pennsylvania. So much has been written about Starsky's beloved, candy-apple red, white-striped, two-door Ford Gran Torino - or the "Striped Tomato" as it was nicknamed by Hutch in Snowstorm - that I'll only list the basics here, from the in-universe point of view. Red 1974 Ford Gran Torino Starsky & Hutch Tribute 351 CID V8 3 Speed Automatic For Sale 351 CID V8 3 Speed Automatic . Not bad for a $350 option. Due to the success of S&H, in 1976 (the Torino’s final year) Ford released a limited-edition (only 1,305 total units, plus three pilot production cars) Starsky and Hutch replica Gran Torino. Although the third generation was built from 1972 to 1976, the cars used in the 70’s TV series and 2004 movie were ‘74 to ‘76 models. Check out some cool facts about the show’s Gran Torino. The producers were forced to apologize and gave the two real cops $10,000 each. But this one goes in a much different direction, and you can tell that from the moment it comes into view. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. The 1970s was an age of iconic TV cars. The restoration shop is adding a Holly Carb, (600? Torino #2 is owned by a New Jersey man who supplied the main close-up Torino (featured on the movie posters) for 2004’s big-screen Starsky & Hutch movie. Dodge also joined as a major sponsor. Description for Ford Torino 1976: Up for sale is my 1976 Gran Torino Starsky and Hutch replica. Outside the precinct, the two cops also relied on certain informants, such as the character of “Huggy Bear”, who provided the officers with important information about what was going down in the streets. Time will tell if the Torino name will live on to fight another day. The show centered around two street-savvy and often undercover cops dealing with real-life issues such as trying to keep substances off the streets and the aftermath of addictions. The stock engine is a 351M. Starsky and Hutch 1975-76 Ford Gran Torino Starsky and Hutch was a television cop show created by William Blinn and played between 1975 and 1979 on ABC. The human stars of the show weren’t too crazy about the Gran Torino. It’s reported that the original 2.75:1 ratio rear axle gearing (standard on non-police Torino’s from 1975 onward) was replaced with numerically higher ratio gears for better acceleration during stunt driving scenes. In the pilot episode, Torino's license plate is 849 ASB; later in the… It has confirmed 76,000 original miles on it. At one time, Torinos and Gran Torinos were flying out of Ford dealerships like hotcakes for whatever reason. In all fairness, I wouldn’t have tried to promote a Camaro as a performance car either. Other engines available in 1975 were a 216bhp and 226bhp 460. It’s an interesting fact that Chevrolet was a big sponsor of the Starsky and Hutch show in the seventies, even though the show featured a Ford product. Amazingly, it wasn’t even planned. According to Hagerty, the average price when finding one like a 1972-1973 model on a lot or through private sale is around $9,000. Description for Ford Torino 1976: Where to begin with this car....it is one of 1,300 specially-made Starsky & Hutch replica cars that rolled out of the factory in Chicago like this. All that episode really managed to prove was that there are always a bunch of tv fans who know nothing about cars. Paul Glaser stated many times that he hated the car because of its poor handling and steering. Starsky and Hutch’s Gran Torino proved to be so popular that … One of the pilot cars had luxury remote-control chrome mirrors installed, while the other pilot car had the cheaper, entry-level manual chrome mirrors. Click for more details. The car became an instant hit with the audience, so it was way too late to even dare consider a replacement for the car. One theory is that it was merely an in-joke, with the Torino’s former iconic car status now being taken over by the Dukes’ car “The General Lee.”. The rear ends were lifted by air shocks and had Ansen Sprint 5-slot mag wheels added with larger rear tires. The Texas collector has since done a “sympathetic” frame-off restoration. It belonged to one of the coolest shows of the 1970s called Starsky and Hutch. I’m sure the Gran Torino, if it comes to fruition, will be squarely targeted at competition like the Charger/Challenger. The car is very solid and runs well. The show became a bonafide hit almost overnight. I purchased it six years ago from a man in Washington state who converts them. It was interesting for its time because TV audiences weren’t used to seeing all of the jostling about from the inside of a car during a chase scene or watching all of the smoking-tire action which seemed to be missing from competing shows at the time. Neither Ford nor the show had any idea, but a star was born that day. The show featured two California policemen, the dark-haired David Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) playing the driver and the blond Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson (David Soul). It’s true, the main car in Starsky and Hutch was originally supposed to be a Camaro. The “Starsky & Hutch” car was a third generation Ford Gran Torino. There are two ways to be sure it's an original: the VIN begins with "6G30" and the DSO number ends in "0022". But as with all things automobile, the Torinos needed a little something, maybe a little more kick, if you will. 1976 Starsky & Hutch Gran Torino Own Your Own Starsky & Hutch Torino or Sanford and Son F1 Pickup! This vehicle is in great shape, straight, never been in accident, meticulously finished to represent a great reproduction of one of the most iconic TV cars ever created. Every network had some take on the action TV series during this decade. Up for auction is the 41st Starsky & Hutch Gran Torino that I have built and sold on ebay. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. Ford was willing to oblige. It is also used in the Starsky and Hutch Game where it is the primary vehicle that the player drives. Hit the beat in this Starsky and Hutch 1976 Ford Gran Torino! We’re paying tribute to the Starsky and Hutch Ford Gran Torino with some facts about the show and the car(s) they used. Lots of low-quality plastic, which of course rattled after a while, but for people who love the car it was perfect for them. In the film, Starsky and Hutch are shown driving around in each of the two cars at different times. People simply could not get enough of the “Striped Tomato.” People who couldn’t get their hands on an Official Ford Starsky and Hutch Edition car were just as apt to find a Gran Torino at a dealer and convert it themselves. Other people into superstars, but a star was born that day starred... 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