The Ultimate Starsky & Hutch Tribute Car, With Exact White Stripe
Culture
Movies and Television
Classics
American
The actor who played David Starsky in the 1970s TV drama Starsky & Hutch didn’t like the show’s Ford Gran Torino. It’s considered one of the coolest television cars in history—but actor Paul Michael Glaser was not fond of the paint scheme. He said the bright red color and long white stripes made the Torino look like a “striped tomato.”
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Glaser’s opinion didn’t stop fans from loving the car—and creating replica versions for daily driving. An exceptional 1976 Ford Torino Gran Torino tribute car recently sold on eBay Motors.
A Famous White Stripe
The Gran Torino was essentially a supporting character in the hit television show that launched in April 1975. And Ford recognized the car’s star appeal. So the automakers produced about 1,000 Limited Edition tribute cars in 1976.
But the first owner of the Gran Torino sold on eBay was not satisfied by Ford’s replicas. He believed those models were not faithful enough to the show car's design. Apparently, the white stripe lacked a thin black pinstripe. The buyer also didn’t like the wheels selected by Ford for the tribute car.
So the Starsky & Hutch fanatic placed a special order for a 1976 Gran Torino to use the 2B color code red paint—the same color as the other Starsky cars produced in Ford's Chicago plant. But he asked for the white stripe to be left off—and later applied at his local dealership in Lenoir City, Tenn.
More than that, the buyer wanted special features for more power, comfort, and style:
- A 460 cubic inch V-8 engine
- Black vinyl bucket seat interior
- Ford’s handling and suspension package
- The Visibility Light Group package that illuminated the glove box, trunk, the dash and under the hood
A Marti Report verifies the car’s authenticity as the only Ford Torino built with this special-order package.
The Ultimate Starsky & Hutch Fan Car
The eBay sale included all the original paperwork, such as the build sheet and manuals. The seller, who purchased the car in 2005, said:
If you want to own one that used to be a different color or is modified, you will save money. But this car is for a picky owner that wants original rarity and opportunity for investment.
The ’76 Torino recently had a tune-up and maintenance inspection. R134 coolant - opens in new window or tab. now supplies the air-conditioning system.
The seller adds:
The engine is strong and transmission smooth. It is a blast to own.
The show’s producers used somewhere between two and 10 copies of the Ford Gran Torino. Historical accounts differ on the number. Regardless, all the models appearing on camera came with the signature Code 2B red and the famous white “vector” stripe designed by the show’s transportation coordinator. And these cars all wore five-slot mag wheels - opens in new window or tab..
One of the survivors showed up at an auction in 2014 - opens in new window or tab.. However, the whereabouts of others are unknown. That makes this ’76 Gran Torino—with the signature white stripe applied with great precision by an original fan—a truly unique piece of automotive and television history.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.