Faithful reproduction of the iconic Starsky & Hutch Gran Torino TV car
Older restoration by well-known model enthusiasts
Significant recent mechanical expenditure
Thick history file detailing work since the car’s return to the UK
Correctly UK registered car
MOT and tax exempt historic vehicle
Limited use since 2018
The Appeal
In the 1970s no Saturday afternoon was complete without watching either the Duke brothers leaping a creek in the General Lee, their surprisingly durable Dodge Charger, or Starsky and Hutch swinging their brightly striped Gran Torino sideways through the fictional streets of Bay City, California.
Both series made icons of their respective cars and generated an industry creating replicas.
Although Ford built 1,000 factory replicas of the Starsky and Hutch car, few of those survive. Instead this car was imported to the UK in 2004 by a well known Starsky and Hutch enthusiasts who had just set up a business making replicas.
The transformation was completed in July 2005 when this car was UK registered. It has had just three owners since and covered few miles. The restoration work has held up well and it has recently received investment in the mechanicals. It is very presentable and there is scope to use it as it is or improve it. Either way, for buyers of a certain age, it looks great fun and a rare chance to indulge a childhood fantasy. fLJQyf2Hf9L3u4IVfG2tvgBhEEJ9R9Y38xJal1E5.jpg1.37 MB
The History And Paperwork
First road registered on 1st June 1976
UK registered on 14th July 2005
VIN confirms this is a 1976 2 door hard top Torino built at Ford’s Lorain factory and running the 351cuin Windsor V8 with two barrel carburettor
Professionally built by Starsky & Hutch enthusiasts including respray
Low mileage car having covered just 15,000 miles since UK import
Last MOT on 26th July 2021and has covered just 500 miles since
MOT expired on 25th July 2022
Thick history showing significant expenditure since 2005
Factory correct black vinyl bench seats in good, unmarked condition
Door trim and rear side trims in very good condition
Dashboard and dials in good condition
Starsky & Hutch CB radio system fitted but untested
Starsky & Hutch detachable roof police light included
Original factory radio
Column mounted automatic gear selector
Switchgear appears complete and in good condition
The subdued black interior of this 1976 Torino provides a remarkable contrast to the iconic exterior. But there are clues to this car’s sporting pretensions in the deep-dish dials and sharply raked dashboard.
It is in remarkable condition for a car that is nearly 50 years old, perhaps reflecting the low mileage and careful recent use by enthusiast owners. The big, spongey bench seats front and back are in very good condition as are the carpets and door trims. All of the fixtures and fittings and switchgear appear to be complete.
This car of course has a Starsky and Hutch CB radio system fitted, although we were unable to test it and therefore unable to reach Huggy Bear or any of the other Bay City residents. Similarly fans of the TV series will be pleased to see the detachable police light. Whenever Starsky or Hutch reached to put this on the roof viewers knew that a tail-sliding, V8-revving hot pursuit was about to commence. We hope the new buyer will be more restrained. 9TgzfSmYUOdzebtXurtLcv2SAqEsG7trSdood97H.jpg596.44 KB
The Exterior
Imported and professionally resprayed in 2004-2005 by model enthusiasts
Faithful reproduction of the classic Starsky & Hutch car
Older restoration that is beginning to show some signs of deterioration
Complete trim that is generally in good condition
American Racing Equipment Wolfrace-style slot mag wheels
In the 1970s and 80s such was this car’s iconic reach that those who couldn’t stretch to a Torino made do with modifying their Allegros and TR7s with bright white stripes.
The buyer of this Torino doesn’t have to settle for those budget alternatives. This is the real deal, a genuine Torino carefully converted to Starsky and Hutch specification right down to the tiny details by model afficionados. You can read more about the two enthusiasts who converted this car in the photographs.
It started life as a standard 1976 Torino. The conversion work involved a full respray, application of those stripes and fitting American Racing Equipment slot mag alloy wheels. The work was done soon after the car was imported in 2004 and completed in July 2005 when the car was MOT’d for the first time.
The work has generally held up well, indicating the quality of the work and careful owners. As an older restoration of a car not particularly known for its rust-resistant properties there are signs of deterioration. These are not immediately visible but may be worth attending to before they worsen.
Moving around the car, on the nearside there is corrosion on the front wheel arch, shallow dents in the chrome trim here and a small chip below the nearside front headlamp. The driver’s door is showing early signs of corrosion at the bottom rear edge and the rear wheelarch also shows signs of corrosion. The chrome trim on this arch is also lightly dented.
There is some deterioration in the paint above the rear side window on the nearside. This looks like it may be filler that is beginning to crack.
Both rear wings are bubbling at the back beside the boot aperture. In the boot the paint is flaking on the offside inner arch.
On the offside the front wheel arch is beginning to corrode. There are also signs of corrosion at the base of the passenger door.
The chrome bumpers are generally in good condition. The front bumper has a small dent on the offside and the chrome on the rear bumper is beginning to pit across its length.
The 2018 MOT highlighted one cracked tyre as an advisory. The photographs indicate that three of the Goodrich tyres are beginning to crack. The spare tyre is a mismatched white wall with a black steel rim. The stylish American Racing Equipment slot mag alloy wheels are in good condition but may benefit from a polish.
The underside shows signs of surface rust. We were not able to inspect more closely but the structure appears solid. The MOT expired in July 2022 but there were no structural advisories on the test.
5.7 litre 351cuin small block Ford Windsor V8 generating around 250bhp
Three speed automatic with column shift
Brakes overhauled in 2021
Brake work, roll bar links and bushes in 2019
Significant mechanical repair work in 2019 including around 30 hrs of workshop labour
The VIN for this car confirms that it is a 1976 Torino fitted with the 351cuin (5.7litre) Windsor V8 running a two barrel carburettor. The film car was a visually identical Gran Torino fitted with a larger capacity and more powerful version of the same Windsor engine.
The Windsor engine remained in production for nearly 40 years and is known for its durability and reliability. Due to the long production run parts supply is generally good and there are plenty of UK and USA based specialists for this model.
Since 2019 the car has benefitted from significant mechanical investment including to the brakes and roll bar linkages and bushes. In that year around 30 workshop hours were put in attending to the cam shaft, timing chain and gear, servicing work and brakes. The screen wash pump was also replaced.
There are motorised movie icons and then there is the Starsky and Hutch Ford Torino. Its bright white stripe is guaranteed to transports those of a certain age straight back to a world of tyre-smoking, power-sliding car chases where the bad guys always lose.
This faithful reproduction of that car carries the pedigree of being undertaken by model enthusiasts. The significant recent expenditure on the mechanicals and running gear indicate careful ownership. While there is room for improvement, its bodywork remains as arresting as any Torino reproduction should be. If you are in the market for a nostalgic statement car, they don’t get much more statement than this.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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