Magnum had his 308 GTS, Rockford had his Firebird. Columbo, still being on the force, could only afford an old Peugeot 304 Grand Luxe, but at least it was a cabriolet. So many TV detectives, so many car chases, but which one was the best?

In real life a private investigator, as well as his car, needs to blend in, be innocuous. But that’s never the case on TV dramadies where Dan Tanna parked his ’57 T-Bird in his freakin’ living room. Going way back, Mike Connors as Joe Mannix rolled in a George Barris-customized Olds Toronado. His later rides included some pretty hot Mopar iron. And who could forget either the Mod Squad’s Mercury Woody, or Ironside’s Gold Ford Econoline? I’m sure there’s a lot that I am forgetting, as it seems a standard plot device of TV detective shows to match a car to the particular crime-solving style of the PI. Which of these, or of all the rest, do you think was the best – and the coolest – car of all the TV dicks? Image sources: [whatsontv.co.uk, hollywooddiecast.com]