Torino Day

Not everyday you see this: 

[Thankfully I went in the back of the strip mall and not the front.]

As some may not know, “Car Stars” is going to be the weekend of May 14^th to May 16^th. It’ll feature a lot of the cars from movies and TV shows.

What was interesting is I was on the fence about going. But … it took a little convincing today, and I feel compelled to go downtown to see the cars.

Why?

Well … I had some unintended errands today (May 14^th).

On Monday (5/11), I put my car in for a few repairs and maintenance work. One of which was to replace my faulty hazard light switch. It stuck and I couldn’t use it. Either it wouldn’t turn on, or once on … it wouldn’t turn off. So, I bought one and asked the dealership to put it on while they were doing everything else (hoses, spark plugs, radiator flush, oil change, brake cleaning and adjustment).

Got my car home Tuesday, and Wednesday decided to use it and park my rental (which I was going to have for a week). Well, Wednesday night, I engaged the hazard lights to check on something. Disengaged and this happened:

[Obviously there is something wrong here ... my original one lasted for seven (7) years and didn't do this]

[There's something amiss here ...]

Yeah … where’d it go?

So, I parked it, grabbed my rental and left to get my mom from work. Now, this story takes a stranger turn before I get to today …

I also put in a laptop for an LCD screen replacement and to replace the hard drive which had been buzzing and crackling on Monday. It was ready on Wednesday as well. But … the USB ports? Couldn’t use them. Before the service, they were okay. Now? Nope … they don’t work.

[This is not good ... ]

Okay, so that has to go back as well. And, here I was hoping to have one day where I could stay at home and do nothing.

Today …

I get my mom to work and my car to the dealership. And, I get a ride home via the courtesy shuttle. Of course there are three drop-offs before me. Finally got home about 12:30pm.  Get my stuff in my rental and head over to the computer repair place. I decided to take the back way in through Sunset Station. And, was I glad I did …

[At first I thought I was drunk, then I remembered the last alcohol I had was 3oz of beer a week ago]

[The one on the left is registered in Nevada. That was the car that was being shot at when Stiller/Starsky said "stop shooting at my car". The one on the right is registered in Louisiana and was crashed closer to the end of the movie.]

Yup! Those are “Starsky and Hutch” Ford Gran Torino cars. One is registered here in Nevada, and the other is registered in Louisiana. I stopped to take a few pictures and went to drop off my laptop.

At first it was a simple issue – then nope … might take longer. So, I decided to leave the laptop and head home to get my memory card (which I left in my other laptop). But, I encountered the owners of the cars. That wasn’t the only person. There was a guy by the name of Steve who had the car in New Jersey (where he lives). His was the TV series car that Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky) drove in seasons 2-4.

These Torinos were from the 2004 Ben Stiller (Starsky) and Owen Wilson (Hutch) movie. And, this was the first time the cars were reunited since then. That movie was released in 2004, so that was 11-12 years ago.

Since the guys were about to leave I decided to grab my phone and use it. Steve said it was a good camera and I was praying he was right. And, he was. I didn’t have to ask for a picture by the car he offered. I looked terrible, but I did it anyway. And, I am not posting it. But, here are a few photos: 

[Owen Wilson (Hutch) autograph on the trunk of the Louisiana Torino]

[Ben Stiller (Starsky) autograph on the trunk of the Louisiana Torino. He is right, it is the best car ever!]

[From left to right: Antonio Fargas (TV series Huggy Bear); Fred Williamson (2004 movie Captain Doby); and David Soul (TV series Hutch) autographs]

[Better view of Antonio Fargas' autograph]

[Paul Michael Glaser (TV series Starsky) autograph]

[Fuel door. Nevada license plate is ZEBRA3; which was Starsky & Hutch's call signal]

[Curve of the stripe]

[Point of the stripe and the GRAN TORINO badging]

[Front end of the Torino. Very impressive in person. Gorgeous car.]

I was asked by Steve and the owner of the Louisiana Torino if I was going to be at “Car Stars”, and I honestly replied “I don’t know”. They both insisted I had to come down there tomorrow and the owner of the Louisiana Torino added “please”. How can I refuse that?

Anyway …

The owner of the Louisiana Torino was a great guy and he showed me the engine (351 Windsor) and told me the stories of both cars. 

[351 Windsor engine on the Louisiana Torino. 460 was too heavy for the stunts. The current owner bought this from someone who had bought it from Steve. This car originally had a V6, not a V8.]

I couldn’t ask to meet such wonderful people. And, this was something I hadn’t planned on. In fact, I was a bit miffed at having to return my car and computer back to get repaired … again.

Had those events not happened … this day would have turned out a bit different – so, that is something I’ve come to realize – things happen for a reason. We can’t question them. It’s a higher purpose. If y’all don’t believe, that’s fine – don’t bash those who do. 

But, I learned so much about the cars. As much as I don’t like the movie, I had to respect the cars and their history. I feel blessed to have had a “private” lesson in that history. And, I got to be a part of that moment.

I apologized for taking so many photos, but Steve said it was cool and the owner of the Louisiana Torino said “that’s why we have them here. Most of the time they’re in the garage”. I don’t doubt it. They’re special cars. So, they were appreciative that I stopped and was interested in the cars and took my time to photograph them and listen to the stories.

And, that is why I carry my camera at all times. It’s also why something like “Project: 365” is SO important – life happens.  Memories happen, we need to take the short time we’re given to enjoy the moment we’re living in – it won’t happen again.