CLASSIC CARS.
This 1975 Ford Gran Torino, with a two-door hardtop, has been restored to look as similar as possible to the car used by the two policemen in the TV series, and has been repainted in red and white.
On the example for sale, power is provided by a 429ci V8 paired to a three-speed C4 automatic transmission.
Additional features include air conditioning, power steering, front disc brakes, 15″ mag-style wheels, an MSD electronic ignition
Do you remember the Ford Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch, with its red livery and the white stripe wrapping the doors? A myth that was born in the 1970s, obviously in the USA.
Starsky & Hutch was a detective series created by William Blinn, produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions and broadcast from April 1975 to May 1979 on ABC.
It was George Grenier, the TV series' vehicle coordinator, who specifically chose a red Gran Torino, which he modified with the legendary white stripe, new wheels and oversized tyres.
And now this 1975 Ford Gran Torino with two-door hardtop is for sale. It has been restored to look as similar as possible to the car used by the two policemen in the TV series, and has been repainted in red and white.
On the specimen for sale, power is provided by a 429ci V-8 paired with a three-speed C4 automatic transmission. The standard car had instead a 152-hp Windsor 5.8-liter V-8 engine, but there was also a choice of the 180-hp 6.5-liter V-8 or the huge 202-hp 7.5-liter V-8.
Additional features include air conditioning, power steering, front disc brakes, 15″ mag-style wheels, an MSD electronic ignition, an aluminium radiator, a dual exhaust system and a Philco AM/FM stereo.
The 15″ Mag-style wheels are fitted with 255/60 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tyres up front and 275/60 at the rear. The car has power steering and anti-roll bars front and rear, while braking is provided by power-assisted front discs and rear drums.
Equipment included a centre console with various indicators, manually operated windows, three-point seat belts, Gran Torino logo, Philco AM/FM radio as well as USB charging ports. As a reminder, any of the options on the 1975 Gran Torino were also available on the Ford Gran Torino Starsky & Hutch.
A total of 1,308 examples were built, including three prototypes. The Ford Gran Torino Starsky & Hutch cars had a special code "PS 122" and can be recognized by not having the black trim along the white stripe.
Therefore, it is not an original model but a reconstruction that nevertheless looks very similar. Hence the low valuation is explained. At the time of writing it is $17,500, basically the price of a small car.