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In response to the popularity of the TV show, "Starsky & Hutch", Ford Motor Company had 1,000 Gran Torinos specially painted Ford Bright Red with Wimbledon white racing stripes over the tops and down the sides of the cars. All of the factory produced units were built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant in early Spring 1976 and bear the DSO numbers, 0022. Less that 100 of the original 1,000 are known to exist.
In 2002, this factory built unit was fully restored to resemble the Gran Torino’s used during the first season of the 1970's television series. In addition the original stock 351 Windsor, column shift automatic, and black cloth and vinyl interior this car has since been outfitted with Hi-Jacker air shocks, over-sized tires on aluminum slotted Mag wheels, police siren, red flashing tear drop light, 2-way Motorola radio, and replica California license plates 537 ONN -- just like the screen used Gran Torino’s.
The inside of the trunk lid has been autographed by several celebrities that either appeared in the TV series or the 2004 movie. In addition to car shows and cruise-ins, this car frequently appears along side the "real" Huggy Bear, Antonio Fargas throughout the Midwest at celebrity conventions and personal appearances.
Terry Fitzpatrick
Wooster, OH
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