| Dean Jeffries created both cars in1966. One car, the number #1 was created first some time in early 1966. They were both used on the set of the show and first appeared together in the episode "Corpse of the Year" on January 13, 1967. On March 24, 1967 the last episode of The Green Hornet aired. After the filming, both cars moved to undisclosed locations. It has been reported that the car toured with the ICAS Car Shows during the 1968-1969 season. It toured with a 1966 Chrysler Town and Country wagon as a tow vehicle. Some years later George Barris acquired one car. From that car he made a reported (3) copies for promotion. Later he sold the original to JJ Born of the Chicago Historical Antique Automotive Museum Inc. in Highland Park, Ill. After some time Born sold the car to a Chicago area doctor in June 1984 when the museum closed. Vintage Motorcars Showplace in Cleveland, Ohio purchased the car in 1988. During that time that it was there, it was rented out for parties and special events. It appeared at the Chicago Hero Convention in March of 1991 where it was supposed to be auctioned for sale. There were no buyers. At that event Van Williams and Wende Wagner signed the desk in the rear of the car. Later in 1991 the car was put up for auction at the Kruse fall Auburn event in August. During that event it was purchased by Miss Opal Wall of Sturgis,Michigan. At that time she was 78 years old. She was a unique lady with a passion for black cars; she owned three when I met her. She said she liked The Black Beauty's color and style. In 1992 she put the car in Gilmore's Auto Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It remained there until sometime in 1993. Opal then put the car into storage after it came out of the museum. In the fall of 1999 in a discussion with Louis Ringe, owner of the #1 Black Beauty, he graciously revealed to me the vehicle identification number of the second car. By putting together that information and the fact that Kruse records showed the owner was from Michigan, I was able to track down Miss Wall. I sat on the information for a few months and with the encouragement of family and Mr. Ringe, I contacted Miss Wall. After several phone conversations Miss Wall invited me to come and see the car, I did so on March 25, 2000. When I arrived the car was in storage with two others cars parked tightly together. The car was dusty as Opal insisted that it get no cover. I inspected the car from top to bottom and from front to back. I checked the VIN and it was a match, as I expected. Opal and I returned to her home and I inquired about the sale of this car. She admitted that it needed to be back in the limelight but was a little hesitant on sale. She said that no one had inquired on the car for nearly 9 years.I told her to think about it and I would call her on a later date. We kept in touch weekly for several months until her passing on June 28, 2000. Opal and I were close to sale when she suffered a stroke in late May. After several months of no contact I was able to reach Opal's niece and executor of her estate. Nearly a year later we agreed on a sale price and I purchased the car on June 12, 2001. It arrived in South Carolina on June 16, 2001. Sponsorships are available for restoration, contact Karl Kirchner at [email protected] |
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