Batcave. Batcave. Batcaveee. Ever wonder where the site of the original Batcave is? I came across a video by Youtuber: Spa Guy that solves that riddle. According to the video the cave is located in Hollywood California, not far form the famous sign overlooking the city. Not a big surprise given most of the show was shot in the Hollywood area. After doing some research, I've discovered the cave is actually a man made tunnel. The Bronson Cave tunnel as it's refereed to now was dug by the Union Rock Company in the early 1900s. Despite it's appearance on screen, it's only about 50ft long and barely wide enough for a car. Clever use of props and camera angles gave viewers the illusion the cave was much bigger than it is. Looking at some of the pictures now. It's hard to imagine that the big honking Ford Futura made it through! I would have been a nervous George Barris, watching my creation squeeze it's way out. If you would like more information on how to get to the cave or the park check out Hikespeak. Sounds like a fun hike and adventure. See you next time, same bat channel, same bat time!
After watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade yesterday I got thinking. Have I ever spotted an On Screen Car in the parade? I couldn't recall off hand. So I did some browsing and came across this! A 1965 news-reel clip of the Munster Coach in the Macy's famous parade. I thought I would share this with you guys. Check out the YouTube video below. I also found a great model kit of the Munster Koach as well. Amazon link below. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. Hope your holiday kick-off goes well. Say safe! Now off to the gym. I'm sure I over-ate lol.
You remember our post on the Custom Ford Model T Munster Koach a while back. Ah yes that fine George Barris created automobile built for the head of the Munster family. Well this morning I stumbled upon a LEGO creation of the not only the Munster Koach but Grandpa's dragster, Dragula. Flickr member Orion Pax is well known for his LEGO creations of 80's pop culture (Transformers, M.A.S.K., Ghostbusters, Back to the Future etc.) He's recreated many On Screen Cars as well. But it looks like he's given us a real treat from the 60's this time. Check out the whole scene with the house below.
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.
). 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!
