After failing to safe the Camaro, the Gran Torino was ordered by Spelling-Goldberg Productions from Ford’s Studio-TV automotive Loan Program and given its now-famous paint job to make it pop. Air shocks have been slapped on the again so the nostril was decrease, a chrome tip was positioned on the exhaust pipe, and “U.S.” five-slot aluminum alloy wheels with a lot greater tires on the rear have been put in.

Several automobiles have been created for the present (some sources declare a minimum of ten, however that is still unverified), and solely three are believed to nonetheless exist. Thankfully, we know where the original “Starsky & Hutch” car is today.

Those unique automobiles have been powered by totally different engines based mostly on the mannequin yr used on the time. Some had a 400-cubic-inch, whereas others had a 351 Windsor V8. Another rumor mentioned a number of even had a novel 460-cubic-inch V8 below the hood.

In 1976, Ford factory-built 1,305 Gran Torino Starsky & Hutch Special Editions, a few of which have been used on set. Those automobiles have been outfitted with a 409-ci high-performance crate V-8 engine mated to an computerized transmission. Despite that, you hear a sound that mimics what a normal stick shift would make within the present.

The SEs have been first painted in Ford’s Wimbledon White, with the stripe masked off. Then, it will get painted with Ford’s Bright Red paint. Additional options on the Special Edition included an upgraded radiator, Edelbrock gas injection, exhaust, cross-drilled disc brakes, aftermarket suspension, and cabin devices.

It’s well-known that Paul Michael Glaser hated the automotive and his function as Starsky and would have give up if the present hadn’t been canceled after the ’79 season.