Chevrolet Commercial of 1965

Almost forgot: Blocker lived in Switzerland (if I remember correctly) with family and was against the Vietnam war. Was given a '65 or '66 Chevelle (SS, I believe). Born in '29 and died in '72 of heart attack/failure during gall bladder surgery. Except for Roberts, all of the Cartwrights were jewish.

4.Pernell Roberts b.1928 stood (at his peak at least) 6'0"bf and from Waycross, Georgia. Sunday-school teacher at one point, Played Adam C. from 1959-'65-66', to be replaced by David Canary (5'11" bf, and still alive and plays on some soap opera)as the hired hand, "Candy". Liz Montgomery 1932-1993-4 (cancer)5'6-7" Dick York (6'1")born late '20s-died 1991 I believe, of lung cancer--had a lot of back trouble and because so was replaced by homosexual actor Dick Sargeant (6'3" and d.1993 of aids).

A little trivia from the back of my mind while I'm here: everyone in this vid is now dead except for Pernell Roberts, who is 80 this year. 1.Mike Landon b.1936-d.1991 (of pancreatic cancer)and stood 5'9" out of costume (barefoot). 2.Lorne Greene: Canadian-born radio announcer turned actor, played in "The Silver Chalice" (1956)b.1915-d.1987 (lung cancer) 6'1" bf, shrank to about 5'11" in later years. 3.Dan Blocker 6'4" bf/6'5" in costume boots. Had a degree in mechanical engineering...

It's a shame that the domestics (with AT)have changed from/pretty much done away with on-the-column-shift levers (with the exception of vans and some pickup trucks). I personally like and prefer those. The mid-to-late '70s cars Ford/Mercury/Lincoln models even had an automatic parking brake, which disengaged when putting it from 'park' to 'reverse'. Sorry about all these comments. They are/were great looking cars!

None of these '65 cars came with radial tires, just the old bias-ply type. Wasn't until '73-'75 that radial tires were really almost exclusively being used on north american cars(!). No rack and pinion steering, just most probably the old recirculating ball type--which most likely made the power steering option feel syrupy, with a lot of play in the steering wheel. Of course the Corvairs were death traps.

...the other cars came with all DRUM brakes as standard equipment--not until '70 they became standard, and in '76 all cars needed at least front wheel disc brakes as prescibed by Federal law. In 1965, at least with north american cars, did not have these safety standards: 1. seat belts were optional 2. although GM developed a/the dual master cylinder brake circuit in 1962, it wasn't until '66 that it became a Federal requirement for all '67 and later years vehicles to have it.

I used to watch the reruns of this show up until about 10 years ago (now I'm more of a "Gunsmoke" rerun fan over the last eight years). I too find it a little distateful using their on screen costumes for this ad, but if it helped to sell then, I guess so be it. As a bit of a car buff, I'd been researching out of curiosity the things those gorgeous cars of yesteryear did not have. It's interesting Pernell mentioned all wheel disc brakes on the Corvette, but then it was/is a premium car...

Although this is all before my time: My dad at the age of 22 (now 65)bought a brand new '65 Chevy Impala SS with a 283cid. Back then you didn't necessarily need even a high school diploma (which he didn't) to get a fair job, to be able to finance a new car. He told me over the years the car had power steering and brakes, auto transmission (on-the-floor-shift, as a 'SuperSport') bucket seats...but no air conditioning(!). Traded it in for a '67 Pontiac Catalina (400cid.)with air.

Man, was I in love with Sam! Darren, take a walk....

Could anything sound more forced than Micheal Landon saying swingin'?