Zebra Three
| Ford Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | 1972 - 1976 |
| Assembly |
Dearborn, Michigan Chicago, Illinois Atlanta, Georgia Lorain, Ohio |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Intermediate car |
| Body style | 2-door hardtop |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
351 Windsor 351 Modified 400 Modified 460 Lima |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 213.6" (2-door) |
Zebra Three is a radio code name, more accurately known as a call sign, given by the fictional "Bay City, California" police department of the iconic 1970s television series Starsky & Hutch to Robbery-Homicide Division detectives David Starsky and Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson; the BCPD was loosely based upon the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) . The "Zebra" part of their call sign refers to them being a geographic patrol unit assigned to a special detail; however, the LAPD normally does this with uniformed officers. Several Los Angeles locations were used for "Bay City", and uniformed police officers were seen wearing "BCPD" shoulder patches. Fans of the show applied the code name as a nickname for the Ford Gran Torino that Starsky owned; the general public picked up on it, and the car has been known since (incorrectly) as "Zebra Three", or more correctly the "Striped Tomato".
Originally, the show's creator, William Blinn, was to have Starsky drive a green and white high performance Chevrolet Camaro because he remembered one that he had previously owned.
When the production was being planned, the studio was unable to locate another green and white Chevrolet Camaro or order a 1975 Camaro from General Motors, because of their lease contract with the Ford Motor Company.
When production started on the pilot, Ford Motor Company's studio-TV car loan program was the lease supplier for Spelling-Goldberg Productions that year. Producers looked at lease stock and chose two (one main, one backup) 351 Windsor V8-powered "Bright Red" (code 2B) 2-door Gran Torinos to portray Starsky's automobile.
The cars were equipped with chrome exterior rearview mirrors and protective black vinyl bodyside moldings, and the interiors were black with vinyl bench seats. On top of the factory paint the distinctive white "vector" stripe with bordering black pinstripe was applied. The Torinos had their rear ends lifted by air shocks and were equipped with "U.S." brand 5-slot aluminum wheels with larger rear tires plus a chrome tip on the exhaust pipe.
...
Wikipedia