Imperial Home Page -> Imperials by Year -> 1966 -> Black Beauty
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Long ago in TV land there was this very successful up and coming producer named William Dozier. In 1965 Dozier called Dean Jeffries to build the Batmobile for the upcoming TV show. Jeffries agreed and set to work on a 59 Cadillac. Two weeks later Dozier called and said they moved up the timetable and they needed the car in 3 weeks and Jeffries knowing that he would not be able to do a job he was proud of, declined the task of making the Batmobile. Desperate Dozier contacted George Barris and in roughly 3 weeks the Batmobile was born out of the 1955 Lincoln Futura show car.
It was 1966 when "Batman" the ever-popular TV series aired. Trying to duplicate that success, producers at 20th Century Fox brought forth The Green Hornet starring Bruce Lee as Kato in 1966. Many a young child got their first exposure to martial arts with the introduction to this show.
But ask any one who was a child of the 60's and they will remember The Black Beauty, the Green Hornet's rolling arsenal. (Show now airs on the STARZ Action channel, Saturday 8AM EST)
Dozier was unhappy with the job Barris did so, Dean Jeffries, was contacted by the studio and asked to create a car to rival the Batmobile but be a little more realistic. Jeffries chose a 1966 Chrysler Crown Imperial for the task. Very possibly Chrysler's first prominent TV/Movie car! He created only two cars for the show, one is currently in the hands of a California collector and the other has recently been discovered and is on the east coast. (Barris created 4 replicas for touring at car shows but without Jeffries or the studios approval). Additionally, Barris created a Batmobile for exhibition drag racing in the 60's and this car was taken to many a drag strip across the country. It was driven by "Wild" Bill Shrewsberry. Shrewsberry indicated to me that it NEVER raced against the Black Beauty. That story was simply "Hollywood boasting" created by George Barris.
Jeffries created a car that was fully functional after all there were no digital effects in the 60's. The car has front and rear facing rocket banks, front and rear gas, oil, water, smoke cannons. Rotating headlights, four green and two white. A closed circuit TV system, front and rear cell phones (real big deal in the 60's) sweeps that sweep up its tire tracks and a host of other crime fighting gadgets.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce the unrestored, 11k mile, Black Beauty! (My car see photos) While this incredible auto is currently unrestored it is however in need of restoration. The public interest has never been higher! This car has been covered in most of the major Mopar magazines. Currently, Polar Lights has available a plastic model kit of this car. In addition there are two die-cast cars available by Johnny Lightning. Additionally, Corgi has re-released their classic die cast of this car. And later in 2004 Ertl/Racing Champions will be releasing a large-scale die cast. Lastly, Mirimax Studios is developing a feature film
of The Green Hornet. We feel that this car is a unique piece of Americana and an important part of Chrysler's history, and much to important to let fade into obscurity. Please join us in bringing this car back into the public eye. Please email kirchner@upstate.net or call 864-592-9537 for further information or questions. We are currently seeking photos and memories of this car during its long existence.
Some other photos can bee seen at:
http://www.theblackbeauty.com/historyii.htm
http://www.geocities.com/denpeacock941/InsideBlackBeauty1.html
Hope this helps with some history. Let me know if you choose to use any of
it on the site. Let your readers know if they have questions they can email for answers.
Thanks,
Karl Kirchner
From: Jay McKee
For anybody that gets the cable channel f/X, a 1966 Imperial Crown 4dr H/T can be seen on a regular basis. Do you remember the crime/drama show "The Green Hornet"?.
The Green Hornet TV series was based on the early radio dramas created by George W. Trendle. The Green Hornet's was a crime fighter and his means of transportation was a car, nicknamed "Black Beauty." If you get a chance to look closely at this car, it is a 1966 Imperial Crown 4dr that has been modified to "James Bond" standards.
Computers, surveillance monitors, rockets, ice spreader, smoke screen, remote doors, homing device were just some of this car's features. Also '66 Imperials, 300s, Newports, and New Yorkers were used as regular cars for many scenes. (many Dodges and Plymouths too!) Definitely worth checking out if you are a mid 60s Chrysler & Imperial buff. Shedule is Sunday 4:30pm PST. Check your local listings for f/X.
Apparently three Imperial Black Beauties were built - two for the show, and one for exhibition drag racing against a similarly built Batmobile.
While all the Bat-cars were built by Barris and company, the Black Beauties are not his, but instead were built by another famed 60s customizer, Dean Jeffries.
The Black Beauty was driven in the TV series by the famous martial-arts actor Bruce Lee, who played the Hornet's sidekick Kato.
There are a number of really great websites out there to find out about this extraordinary car(s):http://www.katoman.com/green%20hornet%20folder/black_beauty1.htm - This is a great site of a collector who restored the 2nd of 2 Black Beauties.
http://www.theblackbeauty.com/
Here's another Black Beauty Clone found on E*Bay in 2004.
This page was last updated January 17, 2005. Send us your feedback, and come join the Imperial Mailing List - Online Car Club
