Classic TV Cars

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 show featured two California policemen, the dark-haired David Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) playing the driver and the blond Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson (David Soul). Their radio handle was "ZEBRA-3" and their street car was an eye catching tomato red, 1975-76 Ford Gran Torino automobile with a wide white stripe.

Ford Gran Torino Details

• Year: 1975-76
• Make & Model: Ford Gran Torino
• Engine: 351 c.i. Cleveland V-8 rated at 250 HP (400 c.i. and 460 c.i. V8 was optional and also used)
• Carburetor: Four barrel carb
• Transmission: XPL type C-6 Automatic Transmission
• Wheels: Magnum 500 with HR78 x 14/B Radial Firestone Tires
• Color: Bright Red (2B)
• Other Notables: Black vinyl interior with white trim, color-keyed sport mirrors, AM-FM radio with 8-Track, heavy duty suspension, air shocks on the rear end, special stripe, sport steering wheel, bumper protection and manual air conditioning.

The show started by using a 1975 Gran Torino and updated to the 1976 model for its second, third and fourth seasons. These cars were built at a time in history when horsepower was being replaced by fuel economy and environmental standards. The forty four hundred pound Ford was not the quickest off the block with the base 351 c.i. engine - it really wasn't a muscle car but it just looked good. In 1976 Ford introduced a very limited edition (1,002) Starsky and Hutch replicas of the Gran Torino. It was the same car that was used in the show and could run up to over $7,000 with all the options. The 1976 Torino was the last and final Gran Torino before Ford replaced it with the LTD name and product line.

Restoring a classic Starsky & Hutch 1975 Gran Torino would be any Ford enthusiast's dream project. Any mechanic with a decent size garage, tools, and heavy duty work benches with storage can probably take on a Gran Torino restoration project at home.

Video of a Starsky and Hutch chase scene with the Ford Gran Torino

Pictures of the Starsky and Hutch Ford Gran Torino