Ford Torino had a power and torque increase, and the 460-4V had a power decrease. In an attempt to help improve fuel economy, the standard rear axle ratio for all models was now 2.75:1. 1975–1976 Gran Torinos were used in the popular Spelling-Goldberg Productions TV series "Starsky and Hutch". The producers needed a flashy specialty car for the main characters to drive. Since Ford was the lease supplier for on-screen cars through their Studio-TV Car Loan Program, eventually it was decided by the producers that a bright red 1975 Gran Torino two-door would be the vehicle of choice for the pilot episode.
Starsky & Hutch the violence ejected and more of a focus on the friendship of the two leads, viewership remained steady during the season. From September to December 1977, the show stayed in its Saturday night time slot, now up against "The Jeffersons" and "The Tony Randall Show" on CBS and the "NBC Saturday Night at the Movies". In January 1978, the show moved back to it original Wednesday night time slot of 10 p.m. The ratings dropped a little bit, however "Starsky & Hutch" finished #33 (tied with ABC's "Lucan") with a 19.2 Nielsen rating. Glaser again voiced his desires to leave