eBay Motors has hosted auctions of a few notable cars used in classic television programs in recent weeks, including the Ford Tornio used in the Starsky & Hutch series of the 70s and the Pontiac Trans Am “KITT” from Knighr Rider.
Starsky & Hutch 1975 Ford Torino
This auction was for the 1975 Ford Torino used in the Starsky and Hutch television series as well as the 2004 film. Though bidding reached over $85,000, the reserve was not met:
eBay Seller: rsuss
Auction Title: “1975 Ford Torino TV Car”
Noted Source/Provenance: “a letter from George Barris”
eBay Item #: 160245860493
End Date: 06/08/08
Auction Result: Ended, Reserve Not Met, 46 Bids, $85,100.00
Full Auction Archive: “1975 Ford Torino TV Car”
Description:
Few cars evoke such strong nostalgic associations with television and movies than the 1975 Ford Gran Torino from the television series of the 1970’s and the 2004 hit film “Starsky and Hutch” starring Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller.
The Tomato Red Torino with the white stripe is just as well known as the Batmobile, Munster Koach, and K.I.T.T, just to name a few famous “Star Cars”. And with good reason…Many of these vehicles were the brainchild of the great George Barris of Barris Kustoms in Hollywood, California. Mr. Barris designed and built this particular car and others used in both productions, at his shop in Hollywood. Owner has a copy of the title showing George Barris as the owner (available to any serious bidder). Odometer shows 20,XXX but actual mileage cannot be confirmed. VIN # is also being kept anonymous per the seller’s request.
While there were other “Starsky and Hutch” Gran Torinos produced for the T.V. series and movie, there is only one that was used in both. This particular vehicle was used in the original Starsky and Hutch T.V. series and was later used in the 2004 feature film of the same name as an insert vehicle mounted on a camera car, bringing it’s total working life in Hollywood to 30 years! It had, until 2005, been the property of Barris Kustom Industries and, when not being used for T.V. and movie work, was out on publicity tours around the country.
– This is not one of the replicas that Ford produced due to the tremendous popularity of the TV series.
– This is not a clone
– This is the real deal!!This Gran Torino still retains all of its original Hollywood fittings including all of the camera mounts and a working front air suspension.
A detailed description of this very special car follows…
BODY:
This Gran Torino still wears its original Barris Kustom applied paint scheme. All of the body panels are ripple, dent, and rust free and have never had any sort of body or accident damage.
The Tomato Red paint and the white stripe are both in very good overall condition and retain their original shine, obviously the result of the car being kept inside all of its life, much of it in the famous front show room of Barris Kustoms on Riverside Drive in Hollywood. There is no checking, fading, or cracking evident in the finish and being an original California car, there is absolutely no rust anywhere on the car.
INTERIOR:
The interior is trimmed in the standard black vinyl, as all Starsky and Hutch Gran Torinos were. The bucket seating areas are in near perfect original condition, as are the door panels, dashboard and console. The carpet is also in very nice original condition.
All of the accessories, including the heater, turn signals, AM/FM stereo, etc. are in perfect working order.
All of the windows as well as the door locks work. The trunk is clean and has no rust.
UNDERCARRIAGE:
The underside of the car is commensurate with a low-mileage California car. It is rust-free and very well preserved.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT:
The engine bay is completely original with all components in operational condition including the air suspension for the front end of the car.
Every detail of the engine compartment is “Barris Correct” and well preserved. There is some minor wear to certain painted surfaces due to age, but overall, it is very presentable.
TIRES AND WHEELS:
The tires are in very good condition with minimal wear and no evidence of dry rot.
The wheels (another part of the car that made it famous) are the original polished aluminum Anson Slotted Mags and are in excellent condition.
OVERALL DRIVING IMPRESSIONS:
This Gran Torino runs and drives great even with the added weight of the additional framework and air suspension. It runs and accelerates smoothly and quickly (thanks in large part to the 351 Windsor engine) and the automatic transmission shifts as it should.
The car drives around town and on the open road with no squeaks, creaks, or rattles. It has had all of the necessary service recently performed including oil change, tune up, installation of new battery, and transmission and differential service and needs absolutely nothing to drive, show and enjoy. All of the mechanical aspects of the car work as they should.
This 1975 Gran Torino is an original and very special car that has been driven very sparingly during the last 30 years…
…And yes, the original red police flasher comes with the car…
Starsky and Hutch the TV Series – A Brief History
First airing in 1975, Starsky & Hutch was a new kind of cop show, and throughout it’s four-year run, brought a gritty Dirty Harry-style sensibility to prime time. The three stars of the show were David Soul, Paul Michael Glazer, and the ’75 Torino. The car became so popular in fact that in 1976 Ford built a special edition of 1,000 Starsky & Hutch Torinos for sale to the general public.
Documentation
The owner has received a letter from George Barris confirming that this car was used in the movie “Starsky and Hutch.” (see picture). The name of the owner has been conceiled to protect his privacy.
Knight Rider 1984 Pontiac Trans Am “KITT”
This auction is for the 1984 Pontiac Trans Am driven by David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight in the television series Knight Rider as well as the 2006 film The Benchwarmers. This was listed as a “no reserve” auction and is scheduled to end tomorrow.
eBay Seller: e-auctionsolutions
Auction Title: “1984 Pontiac Trans Am KITT”
Noted Source/Provenance:
eBay Item #: 230261543845
End Date: 06/17/08
Auction Result: Currently Active, No Reserve 7 Bids, $34,100.00
Full Auction Archive: “1984 Pontiac Trans Am KITT”
Description:
If you were a Knight Rider / “KITT” fan back in the early to mid 80’s you will recogonize this car! The Knight Rider TV series ran from September 1982 until August 1986. David Hasselhoff played Michael Knight opposite the real star, KITT. KITT was a 300mph, high tech, self aware communicative, man-made marvel, designed to aid and protect Michael Knight. Together with his human co-star, KITT fought for justice across America. This is one of the original vehicles from the series introduced initially in the third season and then re-converted to simulate the “Super Pursuit Mode” variant of KITT that debuted in the 4th season and was later used in the Knight Rider made for television movie (1984) and for exhibition and promotional purposes. One of KITT’s many technologies. the “Super Pursuit Mode” was designed according to the show to give KITT a 40% increase in speed through the assistance of retractable airfoils and jet boosters. Inside, a panel of lights and screens depicted a look at the future of automobile technology – a future that exists in some ways today! This vehicle was most recently featured in the 2006 feature motion picture “The Benchwarmers” wit Adam Sandler. This vehicle was adapted for that movie by George Barris Productions from which it was purchased in 2005 (original add included) It was also featured on the Nick & Jessica Variety Hour. THIS AUCTION REPRESENTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A WELL-KNOWN PIECE OF TELEVISION AND MOVIE HISTORY!
e-auctionsolutions reserves the right to end this auction and cancel all bids in the event this vehicle sells via another media. Winning Bidder / buyer is responsible and subject to all applicable fees / licenses / taxes both state and local.
Jason De Bord