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 & Hutch" was moved to Saturday night for the second season and was up against tough competition on CBS with the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" followed by "The Bob Newhart Show". NBC had the NBC "Saturday Night Movie". Although the show lost some of their viewers from the move from the Wednesday night time slot from the previous season, "Starsky & Hutch" held its own, finishing #34 with a 19.6 rating in the Nielsens. In 1977, a rising concern in America about violence on TV, along with Glaser's own concerns about the level of violence in the series, forced the