America

wonder toy · **Posted:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:47 pm

Bill Nelson wrote:

Whilst we're on the subject of American cars, The relatively short-lived Edsel was one of my favourites. And as many of you know, I was a model car hobbyist in my teenage years and a fan of Ed Roth and George Barris' custom cars, some of which were available in model kit form. 'The Beatnik Bandit' and 'Orbitron' were fantastic designs.

One thrill for me, back in the late 1950s to early 1960's, was watching imported American tv series such as 'Highway Patrol' and '77 Sunset Strip.' Both of these shows featured now classic American automobiles but the latter had a beautiful Thunderbird driven by Efrem Zimbalist Junior and a cool Model-T Street Rod driven by a character called 'Cookie,' (Played by Edd Byrnes.) Anyone here old enough to recall those shows?

Only in syndication, not when they first were airing. Highway Patrol is on Hulu if you ever care to watch a full episode. Funny I was thinking the other day how odd it is that even though the models of cars have changed, the color scheme and logos have stayed the same on the California Highway Patrol vehicles.

I recognize a lot of the locations they were shooting those shows at, too.

I walk by 77 Sunset Strip quite often. There is a plaque in the sidewalk marking the location.

Remember that song 'Kookie Lend Me Your Comb?' :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onjr-NV0KCM

Edd Byrnes and Connie Stevens.

felixt1 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:55 pm

asterisk wrote:

Hey! Isn't that how we lost the use of the edit function? :lol:

No. It's okay if you use the icons with style and panache :wink:

Bill Nelson · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:40 pm **Posts:** 8464

Don't forget, I'm a digital, electronic God in my own hermetic world here and have the power to change reality by covert means... :wink:

PS: Yes, I certainly do remember 'Cookie, Lend Me Your Comb,' and the delicious Connie Stevens, who gave me more than one restless, fidgety, sticky night during my hormone bubbling adolescence. :wink:

GettingOnTheBeam · **Posted:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:54 pm

While we are on the subject of cars from TV series of the 1960s, I thought that the Batmobile was one of the coolest cars ever, and I still think so.

G

asterisk · **Posted:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 9:04 pm

Bill Nelson wrote:

Don't forget, I'm a digital, electronic God in my own hermetic world here and have the power to change reality by covert means... :wink:

No doubt. But if you tell us it's like seeing behind the curtain. Surely it was magic? This is very much like the day I found out there was no free lunch. :oops:

Sigh.

wonder toy · **Posted:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 9:52 pm

That '77 Sunset Strip' Thunderbird was a Corgi Toy at one point.

felixt1 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:06 pm

Here is an example of the Cadillac Fleetwood I mentioned earlier....

A fairly obvious piece of American automotive design but a stunning sight to behold in the flesh...I mean it's huge!

Forgive me for going slightly off topic and back to Teutonic endeavours but this car is just stunning.......the Auto Union 1000 (Auto Union eventually became Audi)

wadcorp · **Posted:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:32 pm

Bill Nelson wrote:

One thrill for me, back in the late 1950s to early 1960's, was watching imported American tv series such as 'Highway Patrol' and '77 Sunset Strip.' Both of these shows featured now classic American automobiles but the latter had a beautiful Thunderbird driven by Efrem Zimbalist Junior and a cool Model-T Street Rod driven by a character called 'Cookie,' (Played by Edd Byrnes.) Anyone here old enough to recall those shows?[/color]

Oh, yeah. Do remember those shows, Bill. Broderick Crawford in "Highway Patrol" (he was the very definition of gruff).

"77 Sunset Strip" was great, as was "Hawaiian Eye" (with Robert Conrad & Connie Stevens, too).

"Route 66" was a must, with Martin Milner & George Maharis on one long road adventure.

"Sky King" was another earlier TV show. Ranchers in airplanes.

"Sea Hunt" was a classic, with Lloyd Bridges.

¿Que es mas macho?

.

Bill Nelson · **Joined:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:40 pm **Posts:** 8464

Didn't get 'Route 66' in our neck of the woods, unfortunately, nor 'Sky King' but we did get to see 'Sea Hunt' and Hawaiian Eye.'
Also, 'Whirlybirds' which was a favourite of mine...those cute bubble-cabin Bell helicopters! I could still hum you the theme tune from the series, even after God knows how many years!

wonder toy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:11 am

Whirlybirds Theme

Moldy Marvin's Rat Fink Party at the end of this month.

http://www.ratfinkparty.com/

www.billnelson.com

America

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