The Original Monkeemobile
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- The Monkeemobile is a modified Pontiac GTO that was designed by famed customizer Dean Jeffries for the 1960s TV show, "The Monkees." Owner Mel Gutherie describes what it feels like to drive this piece of pop culture, and reveals how owning it fulfills a childhood dream. Subscribe! | bit.ly/1sddOmD
Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: www.hagerty.co...
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: www.hagerty.co...
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | / hagerty
Instagram | / hagerty
Twitter | / hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: www.hagerty.co...
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuild | Engine Time-lapse videos from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineR...
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFInd...
Hagerty's Daily Driver | Industry news, buzz, and interviews bit.ly/HagertyD...
Chip Foose Draws a Car | Reimagining popular cars with new designs bit.ly/HagertyC...
Contact us:
Suggest and feedback - tips@hagerty.com
Press inquiries - press@hagerty.com
Partnership requests - partnerships@hagerty.com
He seems to be the correct owner for this great piece of history,
Not afraid to drive it? CHECK!
Can afford to maintain it PROPERLY? CHECK!
Loved it since his youth? CHECK!
Shares it with the public? CHECK!
Is a very nice human being? CHECK!
Had to write a big check to buy it. CHECK!
Cheque? Check
You hit the nail on the head!
A very humble person we need more people like him Mike pay attention !!!
@@kennethbredow3098 $365,000.00 ... and the supercharger is fake :)
I like that the car went to a person who really really really appreciates it. That is great. And if I saw it, I would want to take pictures if it too. You rock, buddy. Have fun in your Monkeemobile.
I am Happy to say Mel is a friend of mine, I have ridden in and driven this iconic car , Mel's enthusiasm is just as this video shows , he is excited to talk to anyone that has questions about his prized possession. He is as real as the car is , you won't find a nicer car guy to talk to. He has this car on the street all summer long in the Detroit area. Especially at the WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE. name doesn'tcome across on here correctly , but I am better known as T-Bucket
He reminds me of Tom Bosley.
That's awesome to know thank you for sharing...
I remember watching the show in 68 and just loved the car. I used to tell my dad that I wanted one(I was 11yrs old). Fast forward to 1970. My parents came home one evening with a "new car". It was a 68 GTO. Vernado? green with blk interier. I was given the keys in my senior yr in hs.(75). Never realized how much my dad thought of me till many yrs after his passing. We grew close before his passing and I admire and love both my parents more and more after their passing.
Wish they only knew.
After hs I let my younger brother use the car when he started college. He under estimated its power and turned left in front of a truck one morning, wheels just spun so car didn't get out of way. Luckily he was not hurt but car suffered damage at front fender and door pillar and a arm. Cars were still aplenty then so I was able to replace everything from pick a part but frame still a little tweeked.
I still have the car parked in back under shed. Hope to get back on road someday but due to ongoing setbacks(life) that day seems to remain in limbo.
Absolutely iconic car from my childhood. I even had the matchbox car with the four monkees figures holding guitars sitting inside. Oh, how I wish I still had that car. The only car that surpasses this is the original Batmobile, but the Monkeymobile comes as close as any other car in the world could possibly come.
Yes, the Batmobile is the coolest car. There is a reproduction Batmobile in Ohio that came out this year (2023), which is the ultimate TV version of the Batmobile, a "must see video" on youtube. The owner must have spent many thousands of dollars to perfect so many aspects of the original TV series Batmobile, making many of the
devices functional. Retractable parachutes and the hidden machine guns behind the bat emblem on the car doors are just some of the refinements.
I was just a kid in the '60s but remember this show well in its original run on NBC because of my big sister who was in high school at that time. She loved the Monkees, bought all of their albums, etc, and never missed the show. I thought they were kind of funny, but being a car guy even back then I mostly watched it hoping to catch a rare glimpse of the Monkeemobile. In general, being #6 of 7 kids, I would have been too young and missed out on most '60s pop culture as it happened if it hadn't been for my older brothers and sisters. I experienced and remember most of it because I got to see and hear it through their eyes and ears. The Monkees to this day remind me of my sister as a teen. We lost to cancer back in 2002 when she was in only her 40's.
Well....this car found its perfect owner! I love this guys enthusiasm! Rock on Mel...enjoy your car!! The fact that you are so cool with it and drive it and let people sit in it......you rock!
Then I saw this car, Now i'm a believer!
I get it....
The most UNDERRATED BUILDER THERE EVER WAS -MR.DEAN JEFFERIES-RIP
I remember daydreaming at Sunday mass, that The Monkees were waiting outside of church for me in that car. I always liked that show as a kid and would watch it after school and thought The Monkees were so cool! Brings back nice memories of my youth when times were much simpler and happier!
He is the perfect one to own this car.
This Monkeemobile looks like it was designed by Hanna - Barbera. I could definitely see the cartoon version of this car on Waky Races.
Looks like the car is in good hands.
Makes me happy to see he actually drives it.
Monkeemobile owner Mel Gutherie describes what it feels like to drive this piece of automotive history.
Dean Jefferies place was located at 3077 Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood. I use to see it often from the freeway going over the Cahuenga Pass on the 101 in the 60's.
It was always parked out in front with his other custom cars. I have to say, this version and the logo look a little different.
I use to work for Dean Jefferies, a great time in a young car guys life!
RIP Peter Tork. Thank you for the laughs!
Mike Nesmith has always acted like he was too good for the Monkees. That show made him famous. Some people forget how good they have it. Or where they began.
People forget their roots that’s what it seems like with Mike may he wake up one day I hope it’s not too late!
Mike Nesmith's family was rich (The creators of "White Out"). He's always had it good.
@chris younts The others were lied to as well, but they didn't turn into jerks.
@chris younts EVERYONE in show biz is lied to all the time. Nesmith has had a chip on his shoulder his whole life. I love his songs and he was a good actor in the show, but was and always has been a complete ass as far as being a Monkee goes.
Thats a great car ?..But the dash looks pretty ordinary ?
Had a Catalina 67 or 68 maybe. Paid $350 for it. It used to sputter. Boy friend went to the junk yard and got a $20 carburetor with a manual choke. Drove it back and forth to school for three years. Manual roll up windows, AM radio and a heater. It was a 68. I looked at pictures on line. Had the sad back lights and horizontal head lights. and I remember the number 400 motor. PS Hay Mike Nesmith, WE LOVE YOU!
I read that when Jeffries delivered the car to Screen Gems the blower actually worked and Mike Nesmith got in and blew past the producers , tires smoking and at a high rate of speed. They said call Jeffries back and tell him to get that damned thing off there.
True story! They also had NO rear suspension to make the car burn out easier. They took the thing back to Jeffries for a fake blower to make the car more manageable. When Barris acquired the car he (typically) insinuated that he was the car's creator!
The story I heard was that Nesmith almost crashed the car when he lost control during a shot requiring the guys to pile in and take off in a cloud of tire smoke.
All true stories, Dean told me the same story way back when I worked for him.
I despised George Barris for taking credit for Dean Jefferies cars
There are scenes of Dean Jefferies actually driving the car during the tv show
I entered a contest to win this car in 1966. I won a pair of shoes. I love the Monkees.
@chris younts That was over 50 years ago. Those shoes are long gone and I remembered them only because of this Monkeemobile video.
I have a 1/18 diecast model of this car that is pretty amazing. It's great to have your own mini Monkeemobile.
This car was on display at The Orange Show in San Bernardino and my friend I jumped over the rope and sat in it. The top was down at the time. That was in early 68. I'm 65 now.
Mark Perry , I'm also 65,I have a beautiful Metal Model of The Monkeemobile & The Batmobile from the TV show and it lights up 👍
Congratulations. The Monkee Mobile and the Bat Mobile are the coolest TV cars ever. Just mu opinion.
True. Both captured certain feelings.
Dont forget the Munster mobile and dragula
The 1960s was THE decade for hotrods!
The car itself is pretty hokey, but the narrative of the current owner made it a very special, "hagerty", deal. This car is special for very special reasons that predate me, age-wise, but it is such a great piece of pop culture and owned by a guy who is in love with it as we all love our own cars that don't have the cachet of this one...great story guys and makes me hug all my cars on principle...
I remember the car very well. I used to watch the show back in the 60's. Loved it. Awesome car made from one of my favorites the 65-67 Pontiac GTO's.
I love seeing the GTO front clip. It’s a favourite.
It looks like a great car to cruise in with some friends.
It's a shame that Mike wouldn't sign it. I got to hang out with Peter Tork and he was awesome, no animosity, nothing, just a really cool cat. Glad this guy has this piece of history.
He'd be a fun guy to sit down and have a beer with.
Those Hollywood custom rods, from the 60s were Freaky cool and I don't think anybody realized that they would be so iconic now. Congratulations and enjoy your piece of artwork / hot rod
So Nesmith wouldn’t sign it?? WTF? What’s he doing now to make his signature so damn valuable?? Oh, wait.....I’ve got the answer......NOT A DAMN THING!!
Just use White Out on MN ...
My father worked for a major record company out of Nashville, for my 12 th birthday he took me to the concert, I sat in a chair behind Mickey while they were playing. The 1910 fruit gum company was the back up band. Then Poppy took me back stage to meet the 3 ( Peter Tork) wasn't there. We ate Chinese food and had a great time. Good bunch of guy's. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Why wouldn't he sign the car for you ? What a jerk !!!
@RAY DORADO yeah Ray! Thanks to Michael Nesmith's Mother he became well off!!🤔
@@samdorsey4590 Exactly but he is a loser at heart. Arrogant prick.
You can hate on Mike but I like the Movie he Directed "Time Rider"
Mike Nesmith has no obligation to sign the car. Why do you act like he does ???
@@davidhollenshead4892 , lol...
I love this guy’s accent when he says “car”. Almost like a pirate ☠️ “Caargh”.
RIP Dean Jeffries.. great to work with him, to bring the Mantaray back to Car shows At Long Beach Showcase of Kustoms..
I used to work for Dean Jefferies in the 80's. I learned alot from him.
That guy the new owner seems super cool. I'm glad he has the car because he truly loves it.
Before being customized into the monkee mobile, it was on I dream of Jeanie.
What? You sure about that?
Major Nelson drove a GTO.
@@mikeries8549 But was it "that" GTO...?
It was on Jeannie.
@@radsdad1 Hell, if *THAT* was true, I'd be jumping through a hoop trying to get it signed by Barbara Eden too!(too late to get it from Larry Hagman)🙁
Jeanie was my first crush!😍
I'd probably keep a signed reproduction of her bottle in the glove box. 😆
I always loved those exhaust trumpets. They look like something from a cartoon or something. The whole thing is unique and wonderful, but those exhausts spin my crank.
Not just any 66 convertible but it was an dealer installed Tri-power 389 with AC. Tri-power was discontinued from the factory mid year in 66. Under the fake blower it should still have the original 3 Holley 2bbls. Even if the car was left stock it would be worth a lot as only 35 Tri-power GTO were made in 66' plus about 300 dealer installs.
A single carb sits under the blower case
Mad respect. Awesome car.
Congrats man seeing this for the first time. Hell I just got a 68 thunderbird and I'm stoked can't even imagine.
Mike Nesbit is a dooosh!
I am very proud of this caeeeear
this guys gotta be originally from upstate NY. That is a central NY accent if I ever heard one.
I'd be happy just to have one of the model cars of this beauty.
They still make plastic 124th scale model kits at least they did about three years ago I bought one
Second coolest car ever. ( sorry, MunsterMobile beats it).
👍🙂
Nah! original Bstmobile does it for me -call tho the Munster mobil is!
Yeah, but you could have a party in this. That what makes it a cooler for me.
@@boogeen1 Could you imagine the original Monkees car, Batmobile, and both Munsters cars all at one gathering? THAT would be a party!
Sorry Jeff King the original Batmobile is the best in my view
@@gerrywatson261 Saw the Batmobile at a car show as a kid. These men were driving a unpainted stainless steel Batmobile runner-up, giving kids free passes.
If this was my car, I would HAVE TO start a band! 🏆
I heard that one of the monkey mobiles was a convertible Pontiac that was on I dream of Jeanne.
Also my dream car and it was not featured in the show enough.
Good on you matey. 🐨😎🦘
Mel ,you know that this car is Monkeemobile 2 and was only on the show in one episode.
One of the best show cars, loves it!
Mike Nesmith is a bitter old man. I do hope that he finds peace. He preached it, now Mike let it go and live it.
Michael Donlon Did he preach it?
Exactly
@Moon Pie If so, better late than never I suppose. I saw Davy, Mickey and Peter on a handful of tours and it was always a blast. Just a shame that Mike passed all those up.
@@tinman5322 He passed them up because he was never in a band, e found out te hard way and he's embarrassed about being a part of the monkee thing
Mike disowned the Monkees a long time ago. Sad.
I seen damnation Ally and Star wars in the same theater in the same week, I was just a kid then and I also watched the Monkees and creature feature with Dr pollbearer on TV, the 70s had the coolest cars, space ships, and monsters.
That is one wacky set of wheels. Happy it's been preserved. Thanks for sharing.
I met the lady that owned this car for a while. My dad helped her find a house in Naples FL, where I live. She is worth 400 mil. and she is super nice. She also owns 289 other cars and she gave my dad 60k! Including the other 60k he got from her house. She gave me $250 when I met her!
Good for you and thanks for sharing it with us . Show it drive it and enjoy it . The car deserves you and you deserve it .
Love this.Such a humble man.
Thank you for sharing
Sweet!! 👍🏻 I remember watching that show when I was a kid! Michael should have signed it for you.
I love that car
I watched that show as a kid and remember that car 🚙, GTO , greatness right there 👍👍⁉️
I have a pictrure of my dad working on the original car for George, i am surprised that his name is not mentioned, if you notice any of the old pics in Georges Shop, the guy who always wore a shop coat or lab coat, he is also the guy who actually built the original Bat Mobile, he customized the Futura to make the Batmobile.
George Barris restored the car, but Dean Jeffries built it originally.
The Batmobile, the Monkeemobile, Munstermoble all cars I loved growing up as a kid
Always loved this machine and I believe it was the reason I bought a 66 GTO back in high school in the 80's...but never cared for the shape of the top..they designer could have downsized and reshaped it a tad..
Way way back in the day Sonny and Cher had matching 1964 Pontiac GTO s painted purple. I think they may have had models of their cars as well although they were mostly stock.
@@michaelszczys8316 I just remember them having Mustangs
That car reminds me of the full sized 1967 Pontiac
Mike Nesmith wouldn't sign it. What an angry pos he is.
Yeah but still, sign the dash that guy loved the show and LOVES THAT CAR! He's never going too sale it just make a fan s dream dude.
@2Fine2Be Humble good point.
Paul Newman didn't want to sign autographs either. Some ppl don't want to.
I would agree with you
WHO IS MICHAEL NEssmeth❓
To Mike Nesmith - Thank you so much for letting all the Monkees fans all over the world know that you hate that you were ever in that show. Thank you for repeating it every chance you get and never letting us forget how it ruined a professional music career for you and held you back from many other opportunities. You were so much bigger and better than the Monkees and deserved so much more .You certainly are a class act. :-|
Yeah I lost count of how many hits he had since the Monkees. If it wasn't for his inheritance he would be waiting tables.
Thanks to the Monkee's show Nesmith came up with the concept of music videos which made him quite wealthy and spurred several generations of music video followers which in turn made some unknown groups very popular and had success afterwards so he should be glad he was a part of this show that affected tons of music fans from the late 70's through the early 2000's and beyond!!
I'm kind of surprised Jay Leno doesn't own it. He seems to own every old car like this.
Mel....Please answer the phone calls from the Drew and Mike show.....WE LOVE YOU
There was a Monkee Mobile in the Detroit Area several years ago.
Fantastic!!!, and to know it has a worthy owner🤗
When I was a kid, thought this was the coolest car ever!! Still do!! I always thought it was red though...even put a model together as a kid and painted it red...now I'm going to have to find and watch the original pilot and episodes somehow. Thanks for the great video!!!
I had the model too, but I still think there is something different about this car. It looks too far out from the original. I don’t remember exhaust coming out of the wheel well. The nose looks way too long. I remember the Monkeemobile as being more of a custom GTO made into an extended convertible, not so much looking like a cartoon car. I have to watch the beginning of the show again.
He said they made two. The one in the opening credits was red.
A genuine monkey mobile. They drove in it.. I loved that car. I bought some diecast of the monkey mobile bout 15 years ago.
Rest in peace Davie Jones.
Rest in peace Peter Tork.
🙊Rest in peace Michael Nesmith. Hang in there Micky🐒💙
My husband bought me the die cast Monkee mobile today, still in the box. He found it at a hobby shop. It's my pride and joy.
Wow I've got a corgi model of so glad you bought it hats of to you
I had a Match Box one when I was a child.
I remember watching the series when it was first on tv. I thought this was the coolest car ever. I still think its pretty cool.
Mike nesmiths mother invented liquid paper.
Davey jones was brought up just near where I live in Manchester,the girls from my school would go and stand outside his house,the fact that he was in America did not seem to deter them ,lol.
I am SOOOOOO glad he pointed out that it has been heavily modified, I would have never noticed otherwise.
I noticed that too. As if this car was a regular production model.
Wow ! You did get lucky to get this beauty. You must be rich because there's alot of people who bid on it. Thank you for sharing. I can't understand why Mike wouldn't sign the car.
You ought to sign Mikes name yourself, then whiteout half of it. Lol
I always thought it was a Pontiac station wagon
Love the take on an antique touring car rag-top.
I don’t know, some things about it. It looks totally different from original. I used to have a model car of Monkeemobile and made it into a slot car.
I thought the original was more like an extended GTO. That one looks like a whole different car.
I put together the Revell Model kit..... always loved this one and the Munster mobile
I'm watching The Monkees right now, love that car.
Awesome Car!! Great Guy !!! Thank You for Sharing it with us.
So Dean Jeffries built this car and George Barris later takes credit ? that guy is like Mr. Haney on green acres
Barris doing an upholstery job and installing a stereo doesn't constitute a custom build! He took way to much credit for other peoples builds!
Agreed. Barris was a rogue.
The Monkeys was one of my favorite shows, and the Monkey Mobile was to me. Cool.
It's a nice kaaar, but I heard it has spongy brakes. 😀😀
The man mentions that Beverly Hillbillies Jalopy was being auctioned off. Not sure what he's talking about, because the original Beverly Hillbillies Jalopy has been sitting in a museum at College of the Ozarks Museum by Branson, for at least 40yrs
i loved this car as a kid man!
I remember watching them too. When we only got "2" channels on tv. 🤣🤣🤣
I was 10 when they were on TV. It was claimed they were created to rival the Beatles by Hollywood and NBC. But in the end --when they wanted to actually do and perform their own music the Producer fired them on the spot. That same person was responsible for handing them their next #1 hit (as he'd done all along) but after the firing it was given to The Archie's (I believe) and that's how they got their start. The song (if I remember correctly) was "Sugar Sugar".
Got 9 in Hamilton, Ontario. Between Buffalo and Toronto.
Great interview Mel!!
This guy is so Chicago.
Nostalgia can be an affliction
Thanks for sharing this!!!
My God, Ian Beal of Eastenders owns the Monkeemobile, The lucky blinder! Nice car.
I’ve loved that car too, since the first time I ever saw it
Great video. It's a wonder it's not in Jay Leno's garage, what with his hobby....I use to have a '67 Pontiac LeMans, that thing was fast;
sold it yrs ago when I joined the military.....Very glad this car has an owner that respects it.....Peace out.
I know, I'm nitpicking, but the MONKEES logo on the doors doesn't have quite the same design as the original. The guitar body of the original logo was drawn much tighter than this one here. Still a great, fun car, though.
What’s da matter w Mike you’d think he’d want t9 autograph it. Hell of a car. Always loved the TV show and man this is one of the first cars I truly loved. What style. French headlights I never knew that. G.T.O. That stood for gas tires and oil, the original muscle car era
It's a great looking car.