Starsky & Hutch Ford Torino

Published on
November 2, 2015
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$31.95
Product / Stock #
85-4023
Company: Revell, Inc. - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: Revell, Inc. - Website: Visit Site
Box art

Starsky & Hutch is a 1970s television cop show that featured the two characters David Starsky and Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson as California policemen. The drama of the show was enhanced by frequent car chase scenes featuring their bright red “Striped Tomato” 1975 Ford Torino.

The Kit

This review covers the Starsky and Hutch Ford Torino 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4023.

A long anticipated 2015 new release, this model was produced to replicate the TV show car and contains only parts for that version. As such, it has only 88 parts molded in red, black, chrome, clear and clear red and includes vinyl tires and metal axle pins. The decals are nicely done including the massive white stripe. The instructions are nice and clear with paint callouts. It has a nicely detailed motor with 21 pieces and the crisply molded body has a removable hood to show it off. Aside from the parts for a stock Ford Torino the kit includes a police radio, chase dome light and mag wheels. Tires are soft vinyl and feature Big ‘N Littles for the fronts and back. Final dimensions: Length: 8-9/16", Width: 3-1/8", Height: 5-5/16".

Construction and Detailing

Assembly starts with the motor. There aren’t any custom parts but some of the pieces are chrome plated so you’ll have to scrape the contact points clean before glue is applied. The block and tranny are one piece so it goes together quickly. The instructions show the intake backwards however, so place the distributor in the front. Paint the engine Ford blue with an aluminum tranny and the oil filter is white with an applicable decal. The carbs are copper/gold too. When you’re done set it aside to dry.

The chassis is a one-piece unit and there is a copyright script that needs to be sanded off for realism.

Paint the chassis flat black along with the radiator and hose. Paint the fuel tank aluminum. When dry, install the completed motor from earlier. Paint your exhaust steel with aluminum mufflers and the front/rear suspension parts and drive shaft semi-gloss black. The tie-rods are steel also. The shocks can be a number of colors depending on the OEM supplier. Install the exhaust to the motor and the frame at the rear. Then, add rear suspension to the frame along with the driveshaft to the tranny. Install the shocks and put the front suspension into position

Note that there are large rear and small front wheels and tires that match up. Clean up the tires and scuff up the tread for that slightly used look and paint the wheel backs flat black. Slip the axle pins into the wheel backs without glue and assemble them to the appropriate tires. Now use some CA glue on the very end of the axle pins and insert them into their locations on the suspensions. After they’ve set up make sure the tires will still rotate.

Paint the dash, pedals, and steering column semi-gloss black. The police radio is white with a flat black mic and detail the dash with some wood grain panels. Assemble the parts into a unit and set it aside to dry. Paint the interior panels semi-gloss black and floor flat black. Pick out the trim with some silver highlights. The fit here is very good and should just snap into place. Glue the side panels into place and add the sets followed by the dash unit.

Glue on the front bumper mounts and side view mirrors to the body. The hood is a tight fit so shave a bit off the front and side edges to allow for paint thickness. Tape the hood into place and give the body a light sanding before you prime it. When dry spray it your body color. If you’re making the S&H car, the Ford color code is 2B Bright Red. If you’re going to paint this car a different color than red I suggest you spray a couple coats of black primer first to prevent any bleed-through.

To decal your model I strongly recommend that you use a decal setting solution to help it lay down over the contours and prevent puckering at the edges. Also, use some extra water on the surface to apply the big white stripes. That will help with accurate placement. You can paint, mark or foil the trim at this point. Trim still had a bright finish in 1975. Install the window glass and rear view mirror with some white glue as it dries clear.

Paint the heater semi-gloss black and the master cylinder gold then glue them into place. Drop the interior tub into the body and snap it onto the locating tabs there. Spread the body slightly to install the chassis into it. Gather the parts for the front end. A little black wash and the badge decal on the grill will really help the looks there. Install the grill and add the headlight to the nacelles with white glue. Then install those into to the body openings. Paint the bumper guards flat black and glue it into place with the Cali plates. Paint the base of the roof light aluminum and glue it above the passenger on the roof. Add the mirror faces to the side views. At the rear end, add the center trim and taillight with white glue and paint the bumper guards flat black and glue it into place with the Cali plates. TahDah, you’re finished with the construction!

Conclusion

It’s been a long wait for this TV car. The molds are crisp and the proportions are very good compared to the real car. The no frills recreation of the 1:1 car also makes this a quick, clean build. There were no part fit issues, light mold lines and the chassis was very straight. The one-piece suspensions and metal axle pins make for simple, sturdy assembly that is functional as well. Even the massive white stripe decal wasn’t too bad to install with some extra care. The interior is properly, but simply, detailed so if you take your time on the overall finish and interior/exterior highlighting, this will turn out to be a great addition to your shelf of TV chase cars. It was a pleasure to build and I have to thank Revell for getting this kit out there and IPMS for letting me review it.

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