Mannix's Cars

During the 73-74 season Mannix not only drove a camparatively "tame" no frills Camaro, if there ever was such a thing,but could only drive it fifty five miles an hour. As a result of the gas shortage and the Arab oil embbargo, push prices at the pump past fifty five cents a gallon, the networks agreed, or more likely were pressured by the FCC, not to include chase scenes in their action adventure programs (I'm not joking). Full out gas guzzling muscle cars were also frowned upon. The only autommotive action on the show, that year, resulted from bad guys opening the hood or climbing under the car and releasing various fluids always resulting in break failure on steep winding roads. Sometimes it seemed Mannix was being stocked by a demonic pit crew from hell. This also may esplain why Peggy drove an ultra lame Vega during the last seasons of the show; a small car that got worse mileage then many modern SUVs. Hey if it was small, cramped and looked slow it saves energy, right? Who knows how much gas was saved by the no chase scene/ uncool car rules (LOL).

Just remember: I was as good as any and better then most-Vincent Freeman in Gattaca

He drove a Satellite in at least one season. I know this because it was my
first car. I had a green one too.

I think you are right on all the cars. As far as I remember, he never drove a Satellite as a regular car.

But I think Peggy drove a Simca 1100 before she switched to a Plymouth Cricket. Both were Chrysler Europe imports in the late 60s - early 70s, the former from France, the latter a re-badged Hillman Avenger from the UK.

One thing I noticed from watching the First Season on DVD was that for roughly the first half of the season Mannix didn't have one car he drove on a regular basis. The Toronado showed up briefly in a couple of the first few episodes, but he mainly drove a succession of cars (including a tan Comet convertible, various Ford Custom and Fairlane sedans)from the Intertect motor pool.

The Toronado started to be used regularly in the shows filmed starting in '68. Coinsidentially that's when the incidential cars that were used (police cars, cars driven by characters, background cars, Wickersham's car)switched from Ford Motor Company cars to Chrysler Corporation cars.

Overall, I wasn't impressed with the Toronado. I don't think it was one of George Barris' better cars. All he did was chop the top off, add a new hood and grill, and fabricate a large boot to cover the back seat. The one time they showed it with the top up it looked like rubbish. Plus they never showed it in too many driving scenes, so I wonder if the modifications left it too unstable to drive other than in a straight line or basic turns. They should have stayed with the dark green Comet from the pilot.

I'm watching some of the 1969 episodes on CLOO now. The car he drives is a green huge convertible. I recall the Dart as being a compact, so I looked up some pictures. Here is a Satellite:
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/04/17/06/31/1969_plymouth_ satellite-pic-60282.jpeg

Here is a Dart:
http://www.cars-on-line.com/52900/69dodge52973-1.jpg

These sites say it is a Dart:
http://avalonmm.tv/barris/2008/05/15/the-barris-mannix-gts-dart

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2009/12/01/hmn_feature5.html

The car he's driving in 1969 looks like the larger Satellite, but apparently it was a customized Dart. The Dart's wheelbase is only 5" shorter than the Satellite.

Raylan Givens: You make me pull, and I'll put you down.