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The Starsky & Hutch Torino was not one unchanging car or factory specification: two 1975 Gran Torinos appeared in the pilot, and the filming fleet and equipment varied over time. The familiar red-and-white look grew from production choices, while Ford’s 1976 factory Starsky & Hutch edition was a separate product. Here are 18 reported facts, with disputed counts and authenticity claims clearly qualified.
How the Torino became the show’s car
- A Camaro was considered first. Lancaster Insurance reports that creator William Blinn initially wanted a green-and-white Chevrolet Camaro convertible. When General Motors could not help, Aaron Spelling asked transportation chief George Grenier to choose a suitable car. Lancaster Insurance
- Ford’s studio-car program helped shape the choice. According to Lancaster, Spelling-Goldberg Productions used Ford’s Studio-TV car loan program, and Grenier considered Ford’s lineup before settling on the Gran Torino.
- The pilot used two 1975 Gran Torinos. Lancaster says both cars in the pilot, filmed in spring 1975, had 351 Windsor V8 engines.
- The filming fleet changed. Fraser Engine Co. describes filming cars spanning 1974–76. The familiar appearance should not be taken as proof that every screen appearance used the same model year or specification. Fraser Engine Co.
- The white stripe was a production choice. Lancaster describes a Wimbledon White stripe over Bright Red paint. The Torino Project separately describes the factory package’s red paint as code 2B and notes white paint beneath the red in that factory application. These accounts concern different painting contexts, so the factory process should not be assumed for every TV car. The Torino Project
- “The Striped Tomato” became its nickname. Lancaster attributes the nickname to David Soul, who played Hutch.
What the filming cars were like
- The pilot cars had distinctive wheels and a raised rear stance. Lancaster lists modified rear shock absorbers and Ansen Sprint five-slot alloy wheels. The Torino Project also describes show-car wheels, wider rear tires, and air shocks.
- One pilot Torino carried a roof camera. Lancaster says the other was used for exterior shots, illustrating how the cars served different production jobs.
- A stunt professional handled pursuit work. Lancaster reports that Paul Michael Glaser drove in normal scenes and a stunt driver took over for chases.
- Bench seats created a practical problem. Lancaster reproduces Glaser’s recollection: “It took us a year to get them to put bucket seats in it so David wouldn’t slide all over the place whenever I took a corner”.
- There was no single engine for every screen car. Lancaster says Ford supplied two second-season cars with 460 Lima V8s and mentions a 351-powered backup. Fraser describes a range of engines across the filming cars. The engine in one reported car should not be assigned to the whole fleet.
- One second-season car reportedly had a speed warning. Fraser reports a “Do Not Exceed 50 MPH” dashboard warning on a car it discusses, attributing it to acceleration-oriented drivetrain tuning. Treat this as a report about one vehicle, not a universal feature.
The separate 1976 factory edition
- Ford offered a Starsky & Hutch package for 1976. The Torino Project describes a limited factory edition based on the 1976 Gran Torino. It was a production package, not the same thing as the cars used in filming.
- The factory package had identifiable equipment. The Torino Project lists dual sport mirrors, deluxe bumpers, and special paint among shared characteristics. It says the standard engine was a 351 V8, with 400 and 460 options.
- Codes can help research a car but do not prove authenticity by themselves. The Torino Project discusses PS 122 and DSO identifiers ending in 0022, with a different ending for Canadian-market cars, while cautioning that authentication is difficult. Compare documentation, model year and VIN/build records, package codes, paint history, and later modifications; a stripe or one code alone is not conclusive. The Torino Project
- Published factory-edition totals conflict. The Torino Project gives 1,000 editions, including 100 for Canada. Fraser Engine Co. says the exact number is unknown and gives a 1,000–1,300 range. Treat totals as estimates, not a settled production figure.
Audience and legacy
- The show had a reported UK audience of 19 million. Lancaster gives that figure for BBC1 in late 1976; it is a dated UK audience measure, not a worldwide total.
- The design reached toy shelves. Lancaster says Corgi made a die-cast replica for younger fans. That establishes a historical collectible, not its current availability, scale, or price.
FAQ
What kind of car was Starsky and Hutch’s car?
It was a Ford Gran Torino. Lancaster identifies two 1975 Gran Torinos in the pilot, but later filming cars and equipment varied.
Were all the show’s Torinos 351-powered?
No. Lancaster reports 351 Windsor V8s in the two pilot cars, and later cars included other engine configurations. The sources do not support assigning one engine to every filming car.
Is a red Torino with a white stripe an original TV car?
Not by appearance alone. The Torino Project cautions that authenticity is difficult to determine. Look for documentation and specialist inspection, including records of the car’s identity, factory package, paint history, and modifications.
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#1 Best Overall
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Greenlight 1:64 Scale Hollywood Series – Starsky & Hutch 1976 Gran Torino Diecast Model Car 44780-A
- Scale: 1/64
- Material: Die-cast
- Warning! Not suitable for children under 14 years
- Brand: Greenlight
- Material: Metal
How many factory Starsky & Hutch editions were made?
Published figures conflict. The Torino Project reports 1,000, including 100 for Canada, while Fraser Engine Co. gives an estimate of 1,000–1,300 and says the exact total is unknown.
Was the 1976 factory edition one of the show’s filming cars?
They are distinct categories: the factory edition was a 1976 Gran Torino package, while the filming fleet included cars described across the 1974–76 model years.
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Collectibles 1976 Gran Torino Red with White Stripe Starsky and Hutch (1975-1979) TV Series Hollywood Series Release 18 1/64 Diecast Model Car by Greenlight 44780A
- Limited edition. Brand new box. Detailed exterior. Real rubber tires. True-to-scale detail. Authentic decoration. Comes in a blister pack. Officially licensed product. Custom themed packaging. Die-cast metal body and chassis. Dimensions approximately L-3.25 inches long.
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Greenlight Collectibles Hollywood Series 1:24 Starsky and Hutch Fury 1976 Torino 84221
- Hollywood Series Collectible – 1:24 scale diecast replica of the iconic 1976 Ford Torino from the television series Starsky & Hutch.
- Official GreenLight Release 84221 – Part of the GreenLight Hollywood Series line of licensed film and television replicas.
- Display-Grade Model – Designed for adult collectors and classic television memorabilia enthusiasts; ideal for shelf or showcase presentation.
- Premium Diecast Construction – Heavy diecast metal body with detailed interior, chrome accents, and realistic wheels.
- Authentic Screen-Inspired Details – Features the signature red finish with white vector stripe, accurate badging, and period-correct trim.
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