TV's Most Famous Car Stars

The Show:  The Green Hornet
The Cast:  Van Williams, Bruce Lee
Number Of Episodes:  26
Years It Aired:  1966 to 1967

"Let's roll, Kato!" — Green Hornet

With this catchphrase, the Green Hornet (Van Williams) would go off to battle the bad guys.

An attempt to capitalize on the success of the Batman TV series, this variation of the superhero formula debuted in September 1966, but stalled after only one season. Like Batman, however, it remains a cult favorite today. Contributing to its lasting allure is the fact that Kato is played by the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.

Black Beauty, the car referred to as Green Hornet's rolling arsenal, has enough gadgets to rival the Batmobile. This comic book crime fighter — newspaper owner Britt Reid by day, Green Hornet by night — takes the passenger side, with sidekick Kato in the driver's seat.

When the car is not in use, it is kept under Reid's garage floor, suspended upside down from steel clamps. With the push of a button, the floor flips, and the car is right-side-up and ready for action.

Black Beauty was created by Hollywood customizer Dean Jeffries from a 1966 Chrysler Imperial. It was later handed over to Barris for some additional features and enhancements.

The Special Features Available On The Black Beauty

• Rocket launchers in both the front and the rear
• A modified exhaust system that could cover the road with ice
• Spraying devices in front and rear used to release knock-out gas, smoke screens, oil or water
• A remote-controlled camera that could fly up to four miles away and transmit images to a closed-circuit TV monitor in the car
• Brushes in front, for sweeping sharp objects out of the way
• Brushes in rear, for sweeping away tire tracks
• Rotating headlights, which flip from white to green
• Rotating license plate
• A homing device
• Front laser gun
• Two phones
• Bulletproof windows and body armor
• Concealed compartments in the rear to store the Green Hornet's gas gun and sting gun, along with a change of clothes

Photo courtesy of Barris.com

Return to: The Munster Koach

Page: 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11