Summary

Re-creation of famous TV "Monkeemobile," which began life as a genuine 1966 Pontiac GTO. Powered by a Pontiac V8 engine and automatic transmission. Autographed by Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones. From The Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection.

Details

This 1966 Pontiac GTO "Monkeymobile" re-creation is as seen in "The Monkees" television series, filmed from 1965 to 1968. Formed in Los Angeles during the mid-1960s as a fictional four-piece pop/rock band forming the centerpiece of an NBC sitcom, The Monkees included Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork. While the TV show was only briefly aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical act is one of the most successful bands of the late 1960s with a succession of international hits, four chart-topping albums and three No. 1 songs, including "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm a Believer" and "Daydream Believer," with the act eventually garnering massive certified sales of 21 million singles and albums in the United States alone. Adding to the excitement when The Monkees were formed and part of contemporary pop culture, a special TV car was designed and customized for them by Hollywood designer and customizer Dean Jeffries, who was under contract with Model Products Corporation (MPC) at the time. Since a vehicle make had not yet been selected for the project, Jeffries spoke with MPC CEO George Toteff, who tipped his friend, Pontiac's ad manager Jim Wangers, allowing him to organize a primetime TV product placement for Pontiac to the lucrative youth market. Soon, Wangers supplied two base 389ci 4-barrel 1966 Pontiac GTO convertibles with automatic transmissions to be converted into radical "Monkeemobiles," with MPC in turn given exclusive rights to market model kits, of which some 7 million copies were soon sold. The "Monkeemobile" has gone on to cultural-icon status with unforgettable custom modifications by Jeffries, including a two-piece windshield, Touring Car T-Bucket convertible top, exaggerated front fenders, modified rear quarter-panels and hood, and four bucket seats plus an added third-row bench seat, faux supercharger exhaust pipes, rear drag parachute, chrome Cragar wheels and guitar-styled "The Monkees" gold leaf side graphics. MPC was in turn given exclusive rights to market a model kit of the "Monkeemobile," which sold over 7 million copies. Acquired by Dr. Stweart Berkowitz in 2013, this skillfully built and highly authentic re-creation of the "Monkeemobile" began as a true, Baltimore-built 1966 Pontiac GTO hardtop. Offered in museum quality, the vehicle is powered by a Pontiac V8 engine paired with an automatic transmission. Best of all, this captivating "Monkeemobile" bears the autographs of three of the four band members, including Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones. From The Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection.