[ad_1]
TV cops and, last but not least, their wonderful classic cars have been a constant feature of TV viewing ever since Jack Warner first stepped out in military uniform in Dixon of Dock Green almost 70 years ago.
Automotive experts Adrian Flux remember their favorite old crime fighters who starred alongside beautiful cars.
Of course, there is always debate about exactly what How old does a car have to be to become a classic? – read our blog to learn more.
With our selection of classic TV cars, you might have to go back in time to remember some of them, and you might be surprised that they’re not all gleaming red gas guzzlers like our first entry in the cop elegance contest.
1. Dave Starsky in Starsky & Hutch
Dave Starsky in Starsky & Hutch: In the American police series turned feature film, actor Paul Michael Glazer drove a 1975 Gran Torino 351 Windsor 2-door V8. He was immediately recognizable because he was red in color with white flashes on the sides. The show that gave singer David Soul his big break (unfortunately some say) ran on Saturday nights from 1975 to 1979.
2. Inspector Morse in Morse
The detective, played by John Thaw, loved a pint of ale, classical music, and a classic car. He rode a Mark 2 Jaguar 2.4L with steel wheels and Everflex vinyl roof. In the original Colin Dexter novels, Morse drove a Lancia, but Thaw insisted that his character drive a British car in the series, which was filmed between 1987 and 2000.
3. Lieutenant Columbo in “Colombo”
A shabbily dressed LAPD detective, played by Peter Falk, drove a battered 1959 Peugeot 403 convertible. There were only 504 made, so he was lucky to get one, but he’s seen better days, more like a dirty old Colombo mac. The series began in 1968.
4. Simon Templar in The Saint
Played by the late great Roger Moore between 1962 and 1969 (before his transformation into James Bond, where he was able to play around with even more exotic cars), Templar drove a luxury Volvo P1800 coupe. Strictly speaking, the Saint was not a policeman, but he was a modern Robin Hood-style adventurer who always fought for good against evil.
5. Thomas Magnum in Magnum, PI
This hairy hero led a high life in Hawaii from 1990 to 1998. Magnum, played by Tom Selleck, drank Old Düsseldorf beer, iced whiskey and fine wine from the cellar of his landlord Robin Masters. He also helped himself with Masters’ Ferrari 308 GTS when the need arose. Again, not a cop, but a private investigator – and a damn good one.
6. Ray Doyle in The Professionals
The most famous machine played by Martin Shaw, a karate shooting and kicking CI5 operative from 1977 to 1983, was Ford Capri 3.0 S. Doyle’s partner, Bodie, drove a silver Capri between episodes 78 and 83, and also briefly used a silver Mk II with a black vinyl roof and Series X body kit in the first season. Obviously the Capri was an undercover cop car that V could see…
7. John Steed in The Avengers
The suave Steed had more fine cars in his bowler hat than fine leading ladies. His calling card was vintage green. Bentleybut in the final season also two yellow carriers Rolls Royce: Silver Ghost 1923 (pictured) and New Phantom 1927. For fun, the lead roles in the series, which began back in 1961, included Honor Blackman as Kathy Gale, Diana Rigg as Emma Peel, Linda Thorson as Tara King, and Joanna Lumley. as Purdy in The New Avengers.
8. DCI Vera Stanhope in Vera
Launched in May 2011 and set in the rain-drenched and unforgiving hills of Northumbria, what else would our surprise hero choose to drive other than a reliable and fairly rugged vehicle? Land Rover Defender? The car was a little battered, but made for its intended purpose. Interestingly, the main character Brenda Blethyn admitted that she herself starred in all the driving scenes, because her understudy in the series was a man with a red beard.
9. Jim Bergerac in Bergerac
No list of TV cops and their classic cars would be complete without John Nettles Bergerac. He was an extremely lucky detective who managed to hook up with wealthy Channel Islanders and solve a random mystery in this rather bland 80s TV series. Oh yeah, his car of choice? Stunning crimson 2000 Triumph Roadster from 1949.
10. Hunt for Jin in Ashes to Ashes
An odd choice of car for the lead character (Philip Glenister) in this drama, which was a sequel to 2008’s Life on Mars. The Audi Quattro used in the series was not available in right hand drive in the United Kingdom in 1981 when the series was allegedly installed. The car shown on the screen was actually a modified 1983 model. Glenister’s reaction to the discovery of this anomaly: “Who cares? It’s a cool car.”
Outstanding cars don’t just appear in cop dramas. Read our blog about some The most famous TV cars and how much it will cost to insure them.
Need insurance for your classic car? Adrian Flux will help you with your requests
If you have a cool car, be it standard, classic, custom or collectible, the Adrian Flux team will offer competitive prices. classic car insurance quotes according to your needs.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quick and hassle-free quote. 81.5% of all customers who received an online offer in August 2022 could have received a cheaper offer over the phone. If you prefer order a call back at a convenient time for you.
[ad_2]
