Top 5 Cars From 1970s TV Shows

We recently wrote a blog post listing off the Top 5 Cars from 1960s TV Shows. There were many iconic vehicles to choose from while making that list, including the Batmobile which has been remade (or rebuilt) time and time again over the years in movies, TV shows and animated specials. But that list got us thinking about the next decade and we soon realized vehicles of all shapes and sizes were just as iconic in the 1970s. So we’re back, ranking the Top 5 Cars From 1970s TV Shows. 

 

5. The Partridge Family – Family Bus

It may not be a car or the coolest vehicle on this list, but it’s one of the most recognizable. The studio supposedly purchased the 1957 Chevy bus from a school district in Southern California for $500 before giving it the bizarre paint scheme. It was featured in many of the 94 episodes from 1970-74, but what happened to the bus after the show ended is a mystery.

 

4. Sanford & Son – 1951 Ford F100

Fred Sanford, played by comedian Redd Foxx is seen driving the faded red pickup in the opening credits as well as in many episodes. It’s so faded that it looks more pink than red, but what else would you expect from a junkman like Fred Sanford? The original truck featured in the TV series sold on Ebay in 2014 for $28,000. Not bad! If old trucks are your thing, browse our inventory for any classic trucks in our showroom now.

 

3. Happy Days – Fonzie’s various Triumph motorcycles

No this one is not a car either, but Fonzie didn't always play by the rules and neither will we. He rode several motorcycles during the run of Happy Days and was seen most often on 1940s era Triumph bikes. In some early episodes he has a Harley-Davidson which makes sense since Happy Days was based in Harley’s hometown of Milwaukee. But it’s been rumored that the actor Henry Winkler, who was NOT a motorcycle rider, didn’t like the heavier bikes which may be why Triumph became is go-to ride.

 

2. Starsky & Hutch – Ford Gran Torino (’74 – ’76)

From 1975 – 1979 detectives David Starsky & Kenneth Hutchinson kept the streets safe, busting bad guys in a Ford Gran Torino. Ford provided a number of Gran Torinos to the series over the years, ranging in years from 1974 to 1976. And they all had the red & white paint job that made them instantly recognizable. Taking advantage of the show’s popularity, Ford produced and sold at least 1,300 Gran Torinos featuring the same paint job.

 

1. Rockford Files – Pontiac Firebird (’74 – ’78)

Jim Rockford, played by James Garner drove a gold Pontiac Firebird and it was a big part of the series. The paint job may not be as iconic as the Starsky & Hutch Gran Torino but Jim Rockford was as cool as they come. They used models from years 1974 to 1978. The driving scenes were so popular that Jim Rockford was given credit for creating his own signature maneuver: the “Rockford” turn. In reality the move was not new and had been performed for years, but James Garner, who had a racing background, performed the stunt himself throughout the run of the show. If you like classics from the muscle car era, we have plenty to choose from in our showroom now.

Honorable Mention: The General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard. The show technically began in 1979 but the majority of the show’s run took place in the 1980s. I guess we’ll have to do a 1980s list sometime soon!

 

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