Every family is a little different. But to say the TV family The Munsters were 'different' would be an understatement. The '60s show portrayed the life and times of a family who were some what monster like. Herman Munster a Frankenstein Husband. Lily a dark mistress wife. Eddie a boy Frankenstein. Grandpa Munster an older Dracula like fellow. Last but not least, attractive niece Marilyn (deemed abnormal by the others). Yes they were an odd bunch. But for every unique family a usual mode of transportation is in order. For the Munsters it was a legendary George Barris creation, The Munster Koach.
This car/piece of art was built of out three Ford Model T's. George Barris and his team custom built this ride in only 21 days. The frame is 11 feet long and completely hand fabricated. The over-all length is 18 feed long with the rumble seat on the back. A 289 cu Ford Cobra V8 engine bored to 425 cu with 10 Weber carbs provides a mean power-plant. Backed up by a four speed transmission pushing the power to a beefy rear-end. A whole lotta car being pushed but a ton of muscle. But how did the family get this kinda machine?
Well it all started in Episode 4 of Season 1 (Rock-A-Bye Munster). Lily (Herman's Wife) wanted to surprise him with a new car. Unfortunately Herman and Grandpa had been eavesdropping in on pieces of a conversation about the car. They thought maybe Lily was having another child. She managed to sneak around enough to get Herman's car ordered. But not just any car would do. During a trip to the car lot she found a custom T-Bucket Hotrod and a old hearse she liked. She asked the salesman to contact the body shop and see if they could put the two together. Resulting in the Munster Koach. What a sweet present!
"....don't forget about the seat covers...oh she is talking about a child..."
The Munster Koach was used throughout the series short two seasons. Another interesting episode entitled "Hotrod Herman" puts him in the racers seat at a local dragstrip. However after placing a stupid bet Herman looses his car. Out of desperation Grandpa puts together a plan to build a new race car to win the car back. The team puts their effort together and build the Dragula. A drag car built out of a real coffin. Reports say George Barris was behind this creation as well. But we'll leave that for another post.
There ya have it. The car built for a Munster, The Munster Koach. I can remember watching reruns of the show as a kid on Nike-at-Nite. Looking back I can say I've probability seen every episode of the show. But from the first time I saw the Munster Koach I don't think I could get it out of my head. Just an interesting car. Some families drive mini-vans and station wagons. But not this one. If you haven't seen this show. Have no fear Netflix has both seasons. Use the link below to watch them. If you missed out last post. Check it out. We have some great info about Netflix and the great car movies available online there. Till next time. Keep your monster car clean.
Looking for a great way to spend the weekend? Let me correct myself. Car nuts are you looking for a great way to spend the weekend? This weekend Barrett Jackson fires up it's auction floor in Las Vegas! The famous auction company will put on their annual charity auto auction event Sept. 23th - 25th.
After looking through the line up, I've spotted a few interesting rides for our community. None claim to be tv/movie cars. But there are several clones and special edition cars of interest. Including two 1981 Delorean DMC-12s, one with an after-market turbo conversion. Several Bandit Edition Trans Ams. Not to mention one Trans Am with the Year One package. A replica of the famous 1957 Chevrolet 150 "Black Widow" NASCAR Sedan will be auctioned at no reserve. If you're looking for something to do while watching, Revell produced a great model kit of the Black Widow not long ago.
Granted once your car has been on Barrett Jackson isn't it an On Screen Car? It would be an honor to own anything that's been driven across that auction floor. Now just because you can't be there. Doesn't mean you can't watch it on tv. Not to mention they now on live streaming of the shows (also on Speed Online). Going once, going twice... I'm outta here.
Classic Detroit muscle has always been a great fit for superheros. The Green Hornet is no exception. Black Beauty is an awesome name for a car of such caliber, a 1965 Chrysler Imperial. Also known as the top of the Chrysler line. Elwood Engel the same guy that brought us the 1961 Lincoln Continental, designed this generation Imperial. The lines are straight and long as with most cars of the time. As you can see Black Beauty earns it's name. The car is nearly completely black. You might miss the Green Hornet's green headlights. But you won't miss the sound of a Big Block Chevrolet...
What? No Mopar? That's right folks. Reports show that the movie cars were powered by Chevrolet engines. I'm sure they'll dub over the engine sounds with the factory 440 and 413 V8 these monsters came with. Most of the On Screen Cars were modified with full roll cages. Some were beefed up to take side impact. Your template movie car on the inside. Guns? Oh yea. Two large guns as well as missile launchers. I think actor Seth Rogen will have plenty of fun with those. I have to say though the weapons array reminds me of Triple X.
So who's the designer? Sources say Sony Pictures put the screen cars together. I would have thought George Barris (the creator of the car in the original '60s TV series). ButYou can hear the display staff at Comic Con video confirm it isn't. None the less an amazing retro re-creation of a Dean Jeffries* design. Don't forget to watch the trailer (below). I'll be putting it on my list to watch. Catch ya next time!
* Correction from http://www.theblackbeauty.com, Dean Jeffries did the original design of Black Beauty on the TV series.
Can you believe our government wanted to tell us we could only drive 55 mph on the interstate? How could we get anywhere? Like Sammy Hagar, I can't drive 55! Nor do I think I could keep a Ferrari 512 BBi under 55. OnScreenCars.com is proud to present another great `80s car music video!
Inspiration
Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest events. After a recent speeding ticket Sammy Hagar wrote this song about his speed limit frustrations. The incident happened while on a long drive from Albany, New York to Lake Placid. Sammy was on his way to meet up with his family at their cabin. He was caught in a speed trap. The cop ticketed him for doing 62 in a 55. As his took the ticket, Sammy looked at the cop and said "I can't drive 55." Viola the hit was born.
The Video
The video was shot to promote Sammy Hagar's album VOA (Voice of America). The video shows Sammy making some runs around the track in a Ferrari 512 BBi before meeting up with his real life mechanic, Claudio Zampolli. He then hits traffic on a busy road. As the song says "...too much traffic and I can't pass..." Classic! Sammy's band is picked up and thrown in jail and spends the rest of the video getting out.
The Car
The Ferrari BB (aka Berlinetta Boxer) was mid-engine car platform built by the company between 1973 and 1984. The horse in the video is one of 1,007 Ferrari 512 BBi built between 1981 and 1984. The 512 BBi is an improved version of the original 512 BB. The differences are the fog lamps, fuel injection system (hence the "i" in the name) and special tires from Michelin (TRX metric). 512 BBi is powered by a flat-12 engine that produces over 350 horsepower. Combined with a low weight configuration and design the BBi runs 0 - 60 in 5.4 seconds. To say 55 mph comes quick is an understatement.
Final Thoughts
The song may be timeless. But the clothing Sammy wears in the video may not be. I know I wouldn't be caught dead walking around looking like that. Oh well. It was the '80s. You can't say much. As for the car action, I give it a 10 outta 10. The song has been used in several films. Including Back to the Future II (alternative 1985 Biff's town center). You can also check out some of Sammy's others rides.Till next time. Stay out'a trouble. You can handle 65/70 mph a lot better than 55!
So what does the Olds 442 and the band Chicago have in common? One wicked music video! Ah the 80's. Music videos of the time may have been much simpler compared to the high production videos of today. But a lot of them have something modern music videos often lack, vintage muscle cars! This early 80's video from Chicago is no exception! In the video a guy trying to convince this girl to stay the night. She finds him disrespectful and runs off in the 442 (we're not clear if it's his or hers). Grab'n gears and burning rubber, she manages to jump a car hauler twice while being chased by the dude on the back of a Ford F100. Apparently he still doesn't get the message and jumps onto the hood. She tries to throw him off by doing donuts.
Amazing car, amazing video. Not to mention awesome stunt work. From what we've gathered the gal in the video is stunt driver Debbie Evans. She's known for her work in the Fast and the Furious, Matrix and other popular films and tv shows. Watch the video closely. You will notice that two 442s may have been used. Some note the differences in the dash shots. Some note that there was a 4-Speed car and an automatic car. We're still looking. Comment and tell us what you saw! Till next time keep those wheels safely rolling!
