“TV superhero cars.” Think Kitt from Knight Rider, the Batmobile, the General Lee (Duke boys as superheroes? Maybe not), and here, the Starsky and Hutch 1976 Ford Torino. It’s for sale in Taylors, SC, and easily viewed on ebay at an opening bid of $8500 with four days left in the auction. The price might be a bit steep, but at least the car is authentic, as indicated by the fragment of build sheet that the seller has found.
This is no clone. It’s an actual one-of-1305 (per the seller) unit that came out of the factory looking like it was ready to catch the bad guys roaming the fictional Bay City, CA, with real-life port city San Pedro serving as shooting location. The cars used in the TV series, which ran from 1975-79, were 1974, 1975, and 1976 models. The tribute cars issued by the factory were available in dealerships in the springtime of 1976. Should you have missed your chance back then, here’s the opportunity to right that mistake in the form of a rusty and needy version of the car that captured the attentions of people who liked one-hour police dramas, and that was practically everyone. Red, with a spear stripe going across the roof, down the B-pillar, and across each side, this car sports original paint, though you’re going to have a hard time saving that what with the need for dent and rust repair on the exterior surfaces.
Should the opening bid price at $8500 scare you off? In today’s collector car economy, you might be used to these kinds of numbers, but before you get seduced by the “original paint” language of the ad, take stock. The floors are said to be needy, and the images seem to show that someone’s already taken the cutting wheel to them and removed good sections of the pans. That leaves what appears to be more rust in the lower regions, including what might be rusty rocker panels. Definitely, the price of repair is going to be high. You’ll also be doing considerable fiddling with the power plant, as the original engine is in place, but only the block. You get another Torino engine to use, one presumes, to gather accessories from as you put the Starsky and Hutch car back on the road.
If you get this Torino back on the streets, you’ll need a Hutch to go along with you. You, naturally, will be Starsky, who did most of the driving on the show. You’ll also need to source some 8-track tapes for the player that I’m betting was lodged in the dash. Won’t you be cool! But before then, it’s going to be a long road through your budget to get this old Ford back to running condition. As the seller says, “I have seen worse,” but you’ve got to establish a scale of values that makes that make sense. I’ve seen worse, too, but not on a car that I would commit to restoring, at least, not when it’s closing in on five figures should the bidding take off.
Well I suppose somebody bought it new, used it up and here it is over priced. Someone out there might think it’s a cool car to own. There are replicas out there!
Roached coach cretin catcher.
I am shocked that there is even one bid for this pile!!
I’ll be shocked if they pay.
Steve R
Ebay has a new system, that automatically charges your payment setup that you normally use.
@Howie
Not really. My friend sold a 46 Harley wd on buy it now one month ago. The buyer has a month to pay, then it gets cancelled per his experience. The 30 days expired on Tuesday so this is up to date info. So my buddy is only out $50 listings fee.
As an ebay seller I have a list of about a dozen items that a buyer bid on and has never paid for. No automatic payment system ever kicked in and paid for those items. And to make matters worse ebay took away the ability for a seller to report a non paying bidder. They probably also took away the 3 strikes and you are out as a buyer system that they did have.
Does this one sound just like a 4 speed racing around town before you slam on the brakes and throw it into park with the column lever…like the TV car?
That was a $79.98 option from Ford. A Marti report should be able to confirm if it has that option. That was funny Melton.
Good info on the price. Thank you.
Like That ’71 Ford Custom 500 the Feds gave to McKlusky eh
Some people actually believe in 1971 you could get a 429 4spd in a full sized Ford because of that movie.
Steve R
https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/big-brutal-american-four-speeds/
Scroll to bottom of article if anyone doubts 71 Full size Fords were not available with 4 speeds. Very rare though.
Atwood203, the article says in 1971 3spd manuals were available and automatics became standard starting in 1972.
Steve R
Nope…
Of course we also watched the police drama starring a sled dog and his partner, a giant potato
Husky and Starch
I have only seen one of these, it lived in Rea MO when I first saw it in the early 80’s. It was there for a lot of years and it disappeared. I was driving around about 10 years ago and found it on a gravel road maybe 3 miles from where I first saw it looking kinda sad, not as sad as this one tho. Never dreamed it was that rare
Apparently they edited my comment. So, I’ll repeat……dumb.
An old friend of mine bought one of these new in 1976. He lived in Chelsea, Oklahoma. He wrecked it in 1978.. totaled it by wrapping it around an old oak tree. He said it got in his way! He was a big Skynyrd fan! The wreck messed him up really bad. I had a 72 Gran Torino Sport that we used to cruise in. This was in 1980. I haven’t seen him since i moved in 81. Charlie.. If you are out there.. good times buddy!
I loved the show and of course loved the car! I read the article by Hot Rod magazine on the “Red Tomato” when the Starsky and Hutch movie came out and they said they needed a lot of power to move that car around due to its weight. I guess if you have one of these cars now you’re not going to be catching any bad guys but it’s still a cool car to cruise in.
This car looks kinda steep for the price and it needs a ton of work. Don’t see an engine block in the car anywhere as the ad states but there looks to be a transmission in the upside down pic of the trunk. Too bad it’s not in better shape and better price. I have a set of aluminum slotted mags in the garage…
There is a block sitting just behind the driver’s seat area.
Not much there, looks worthless.
did I state yesterday “…like replica cars…”? not for me.
If so this would be a candidate for the AOD (not available till 4 yrs later). But there’s not enough here fora start (unless U were born around ’55 – ’65 and have 25K$ to give a restorer). This vehicle has left the demographic for sales by 2, 2.5 decades. We’re sellin ‘90s cars now.
I would have to check the authenticity. it said there were 1305 models made. every build sheet may say Starsky and Hutch as the model. how did this car get so bad….something doesn’t add up..
this was rode hard and put away wet. it is beat down. resto costs would be astronomical for sure.
A little too much money with no engine pictures even though there is a engine block there and where are the slotted mags!
Loved watching the show as a kid when it first ran. Never knew they ever released a Starsky & Hutch edition of the car. From what I’ve read Paul hated the car and would beat the crap out of it any chance he could get. You just watch some of the scenes with him pulling up and slamming into the curb lol. I think it would take a really die hard S&H lover to pour any amount of effort and cash, especially cash, into this squashed tomato.
One of 1305 doesn’t seem that rare to me. Especially with something that has limited appeal, and in this horrific condition. Not worth anything more than a regular ’76 Torino in the same condition.
SOLD for $8,500.
2 bids.