Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20151022*
Starsky and Hutch Ford Torino 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4023 Review
Review and Photos by Alan Mann 
The Torino was produced by Ford between 1968 and 1976. It was a competitor in the intermediate market segment. The Torino was initially an upscale version of the intermediate sized Ford Fairlane. For 1972, the Torino was redesigned emphasized the “long hood short deck” look and had strong elements of coke bottle styling. The Torino was made up of basic models called “Torino” and more upscale models called “Gran Torino”. Most Torinos were conventional cars, and generally the most popular models were the 4-door sedans and 2-door hardtops. However, Ford produced some high-performance versions of the Torino by fitting them with large powerful engines, such as the 428 cu in and 429 cu in “Cobra-Jet” engines. These cars are classified as muscle cars. Ford also chose the Torino as the base for its NASCAR entrants, and it has a successful racing heritage. The 1976 Torino was the last and final Gran Torino before Ford replaced it with the LTD name and product line.
Starsky & Hutch is a 1970s television cop show created by William Blinn and aired between 1975 and 1979 on ABC. The show featured two California policemen, David Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) and Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (David Soul). Their radio handle was “ZEBRA-3” and their street car was an eye catching red, 1975-76 Ford Gran Torino automobile with a wide white stripe. they used around four different cars for filming, earlier shots had red wing mirrors usually for long shots or footage used in later episodes, close ups and later episodes had silver wing mirrors. The Torino was nicknamed the “Striped Tomato” by Hutch in the episode “Snowstorm”, and fans subsequently referred to the car by that nickname, too. However, this moniker didn’t come from the writers – it came from a real-life comment that Glaser made. In 1976 Ford introduced a very limited edition (1,002) Starsky and Hutch replicas of the Gran Torino. It was the same car that was used in the show and could run up to over $7,000 with all the options.
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For the Modeler: This review covers the New Release of the Revell Starsky and Hutch Torino kit in 1/25 scale. This is kit #4023 in the current catalog and was released in October of 2015 for the first time. Revell rates this as a Skill Level 2 for moderate builders and ages 10 plus. You get 88 parts molded in Red, Black, Chrome, Clear and Clear Red and includes Vinyl tires and Metal pins. The motor builds up into a nicely detailed 21 piece unit that only needs aftermarket wiring to really shine. The chassis is somewhat basic but detailed and has separate suspension for both front and rear. The tires are Big N Little but have no identification moldings on the sidewalls. The interior is a multiple part unit and details are crisp. Most of the dash details are done with decals. The body is a one part unit with the hood separate. I found no mold lines to speak of. Final assembly is tight and the car has a very solid feel to it. The instructions are typical book format that Revell is known for. Paint callouts and decal placement is clearly noted. The decals are crisp and include body markings and the stripe. Overall dimensions are: Length: 8-9/16″, Width: 3-1/8″, Height: 5-5/16″.
Covered in this Review: If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; highlighting the dashboard; interior color scheme; front suspension build sequence; dashboard detailing and decal map; flocking the carpet for optional interior realism; how to detail the turn signal lenses; using “clear†glue for window glass installation; passenger area detailing; complete chassis detailing; modifying the hood for engine demonstration; Correct Ford body color information; detailing the engine bay; front/rear tire Installation; enhancing the grill with black wash a hassle free chassis to body installation technique; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on†look; window trim detailing with foil; tips for painting red plastic; correcting instruction errors; how to wire the engine; identifying and removing the copyright script; making realistic looking tires; a ‘crystal clear’ window glass treatment; complete engine construction and finishing; suspension construction and detailing; are all fully examined in this 19 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.
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assembles well and gives the build a nice stance. The turbine style wheels featuring “Big n Little†tires are also a great addition and look good finished, but it should be noted there are no brand lettering on them.  If there can be a weakness in this kit it would have to be the design and fit. In these respects the tooling truly shows its age, especially in the case of the floor pan. When installed in the body leaves a one eighth inch gap 
between the end of the rear wheel wells and the body. The other notable short coming is the interior itself. It has a very simple hot rod feel to it with plain low backed buckets, an awkward console and shifter. Also the door panels are molded into the inside of the body, but are a little faint and lack detail. Finally, the dashboard attaches to the body without the rest of the interior causing an incorrect look when installed due to alignment there.  This is a skill level 2 kit with 93 pieces and waterslide decals. Finished dimensions are:  Length: 8¼”, Width: 3¼”, Height: 3-1/8.”
