Joe Mannix returns

[68countrysedan]

Lately I've been watching episodes of Mannix on cable, and it offers a late '60s/ early '70s LA automotive time capsule. 

Offered for your consideration are two vehicles. One is the original Mannix driver, a 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado that someone though would look cool as a convertible. IMO it doesn't look right even though it was the work of George Barris.

Since Chrysler supplied the cars, the second car of interest was Mannix's unusual '67 (?) Dodge Dart GT convertible. Unusual considering that he could have driven a Barracuda convertible. It also serves as an example how subtle custom touches transform a car. The styling was handsome to begin with. Next, a small spoiler was integrated on the rear trunk edge. Add on driving lights, custom wheels, and a Highland Green-like color and Mannix has a car that's noticed. I think Side-Oilers offered details about the car a while back.

The street scenes offer plenty of cars on view. I wonder if any Shelby's showed up on the show. BWTM. One episode ended with Mannix driving off in a 1967 Lime Gold Mustang convertible.

Ultimately, no one could have imagined that 20 years later, Carroll Shelby would be hip deep in his bib overalls creating Chrysler performance vehicles. 

[propayne]

Here is a photo of Barris on the set with Mike Conners and the custom Olds.

From the book "Barris TV & Movie Cars" by Barris and David Fetherston.

- Phillip

[FL SAAC]

The great creator George B

[Side-Oilers]

Great to see other Mannix fans on here!  I own the '68 Dart GTS 340 convertible that he drove in seasons 2 and 3.

I took it to Mike Connors's house in Encino in 2010 and interviewed him for my TV show at the time, "Drive" on ESPN.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBOAJSF1ypA

He was a truly great guy, very warm and friendly, and talked to me for several hours about the cars on the show, cars he used to own, actors on the show, etc.

He even gave me one of the sport coats he wore on the show.  That was one of the best days of my life, for sure!

RIP Mike Connors. He will be Joe Mannix forever.

[FL SAAC]

That GTS is beautiful  !

[Krelboyne]

Nice!
It looks like the restored car has a Talbot mirror now.

[68countrysedan]

Great to see other Mannix fans on here!

Thanks for the update. After looking at '68 Barracuda convertible photos, I think the Dart retains a styling edge. Any speculation why they stayed with the Dart for 2 seasons, since the show offered Chrysler a Barracuda showcase?

[Side-Oilers]

I've never heard why the choice of a Dart over a Barracuda in '68 and '69.  But if you look at a lot of the other Chrysler Corp cars on the show (including cop cars) they were mostly Dodges, not Plymouths.

Perhaps the Dodge Division paid for the placement. Whereas, Plymouth's marketing department might have decided to spend their bucks otherwise...like in drag racing?   

Ever notice that when a mafia don, or a corrupt businessman was being tailed by Mannix, the car was usually a dark colored Imperial? 

There's an episode with the Dart and a '69 Imperial in it.  Photos attached.

I recently bought a '71 Imperial, charcoal metallic with black leather, a true 24,000 mile all-original car.  It has a 440 and every option but antilock brakes, which Chrysler pioneered in America. 

So, now with the Dart and the Imperial, I can chase my own car around the neighborhood.   
 

[Side-Oilers]

My Imperial...

[68countrysedan]

Perhaps the Dodge Division paid for the placement.

Good point. I hadn't considered that. Joe got the better car.
Also noticed the hood scoop detail in your photo that I hadn't seen before.

[Side-Oilers]

Barris removed the faux vents on top of the hood bulges (from the factory)  then cut out the little front sections of the bulges to create functional air vents to the engine.

They're not really scoops, because they're very small and wouldn't do anything for the carb.  They're for appearance. 

[FL SAAC]

Great looking car !

[Side-Oilers]

Thanks Tony. 

It gets attention from the young guys, but car guys age 50 and up almost always recognize it as the Mannix car.

It is fun to cruise around in.

[propayne]

Looking at that vintage show footage, it looks like it had these style wheels on it at one point - minus the spinners.

Barris tended to use Rader/Wheel Corp. of America rims.

Very cool car, thanks for saving it!

- Phillip

[Side-Oilers]

Good eye, Phillip. 

The Mannix Dart did originally have Rader wheels, but they were prone to some problem (I seem to remember it was the center section cracking) and were replaced with Cragar S/S chromies part way through the 1968 season of the show. 

The original Batmobile also ran Rader wheels.