10 Cool Facts About Green Hornet's '66 "Black Beauty" - The Green Hornet

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In the 1966 TV series "The Green Hornet," the iconic car known as "Black Beauty" captured the imaginations of viewers with its sleek design and advanced gadgetry. Custom-built for the series, Black Beauty was a 1966 Chrysler Imperial Crown, meticulously modified to serve as the Green Hornet's formidable vehicle. Under the skilled craftsmanship of car customizer Dean Jeffries, this elegant sedan was transformed into a high-tech crime-fighting machine, equipped with an array of concealed weapons and sophisticated surveillance equipment. The car featured an imposing matte black exterior, a symbol of the Green Hornet's enigmatic presence. Black Beauty's arsenal included hidden machine guns, rocket launchers, and smoke screens, enhancing the show's thrilling action sequences. Its advanced communication systems allowed the Green Hornet, played by Van Williams, and his sidekick Kato, portrayed by Bruce Lee, to stay a step ahead of their adversaries. The car's design balanced style and functionality, becoming a character in its own right. Black Beauty's enduring legacy in popular culture is a testament to its innovative design and the lasting impact of "The Green Hornet" series!
-Enjoy
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[@rockzhard2009]

as a wee lil 6 y/o future hot rodder 'Black Beauty" was just about the coolest big 4 door land yacht i'd ever seen. one of the few times i wanted to be the sidekick instead of the hero. Kato got to drive. excellent video my friend.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and indeed Kato was one lucky and awesome dude indeed! Bruce Lee was badass 🙂👍

[@justinsanders2705]

Indeed, she is a beauty! Happy Independence Day, and again, it's awesome to have you back.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much friend and glad to be back 🙂👍

[@LongIslandMopars]

​@@CarStarz42Did KZbin change its monetization rule? I never unsubscribed and started to see your vids get posted again.

[@CarStarz42]

​@@LongIslandMopars Well, I was never actually breaking any rules or anything, I believe KZbins auto-bots or whatever automatic content scanners just kept falsely flagging videos or something. However, good thing is that KZbin/Google now has a bit of human support we can contact now, so we got it sorted out and I managed to get my monetization back at least, hopefully permanently this time. So, yeah I'll be posting more often going forward. 🙂👍

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@CarStarz42 Awesome. I enjoy your content.

[@CarStarz42]

@@LongIslandMopars Indeed and glad to hear it 😉👍

[@TrailBlazerSS502]

Imagine if The Green Hornet, himself, did a Hemi swap. By the way, Kato, played by the late Bruce Lee, did the driving, and the original Green Hornet, was legendary actor, Van Johnson.

[@CarStarz42]

That would be extra wild indeed! Yeah, they were awesome dudes for sure! 😉👍

[@ck270]

Britt Reid/The Green Hornet was played by Van Williams, not Van Johnson.

[@TrailBlazerSS502]

@@ck270 I forgot; I couldn’t remember the last name.

[@clarencesmith2305]

Personally I would love an in depth look at the Green Hornet movie car.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, I'll include it in the next poll to see what feedback it gets compared to a a few other options then. Thanks.

[@mrjaylesmeister]

​@@CarStarz42I second that movie car motion!

[@CarStarz42]

@@mrjaylesmeister Noted, thanks😉👍

[@commanderwolf_gaming5191]

Im 3rd on this idea.

[@CarStarz42]

@@commanderwolf_gaming5191 Thanks 😉👍

[@user-ui9oz2ir6h]

Thanks for the Black Beauty. Keep up the fight.😎❤️

[@CarStarz42]

You're very welcome and will do 😉👍

[@Gunslinger320]

Yes please do the movie version!

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, I'll add it to the next poll then to gauge interest compared to a few others then, thanks for the feedback 😉👍

[@jessitaylor4170]

​@@CarStarz42awesome I can't wait to see that video!

[@CarStarz42]

@@jessitaylor4170 😉👍

[@ACF6180T]

I remember as a 9 year old boy watching the Green Hornet with my older brother. I did not know the TV show only lasted a year , But I do remember watching it every chance I got; Of course I was already a car nut then like so many of us during the mid 60's. I also remember even going by a Imperial, Chrysler, Plymouth dealer; For some reason Dodge was always a stand alone dealership. I've always been a GM guy but I must say the Imperial of the mid 60's into the early 70's had Cadillac, & Lincoln beat when it came to styling. I know I watched the Green Hornet mostly because I was attracted to the car but I also liked the opening theme music to it. I did watch the movie as well, & I thought the modern version of Black Beauty was cool as well, & at least they stuck with the Imperial platform. Thanks for the video on 10 cool facts of the Green Hornet's 66 Black Beauty, & the memories of a cool show IMHO.

[@CarStarz42]

A great yet short show with a great looking ride indeed. Glad you enjoyed the video 😉👍

[@SNOWDUDE13]

Hopefully Herbie is the next video because of its place in the poll. Looking forward to it, and welcome back to posting content. 🎉

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, probably will be and thanks much, glad to be back 😉👍

[@Fuel186]

The original is super cool, but I would love to know more about the 2008 movie version of The Black Beauty. In my own honest opinion, I think they hit it out of the park in terms of looks with the chrome that was added to it in the modern version.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, thanks for the feedback 👍

[@NLBassist]

You are back! Yeah!

[@CarStarz42]

Yep and very glad to be too. Thanks 😉👍

[@andrewscott7485]

Good to see you never left KZbin. So re-subbed you.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks, yeah very happy to have got my channel back fully now. Just hope it stays that way too and I'll still keep posting new videos to Rumble and here going forward 😉👍

[@johnmack85730]

The Green Hornet fought crime in Central City except for the two crossover episodes of Batman.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, I just had Gotham city on the mind from watching those episodes and said Gotham instead of Central, lol.

[@johndean2110]

Welcome back. Awesome video.👍

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much and I'm glad to be back! Glad you enjoyed the video 😉👍

[@charlesdalton985]

I've always thought this was one of, if not the, most impressive TV Cars ever. Learned to appreciate it even more with your video . I too thought the "garage flip" was awesome. Sad that this show didn't get a few more seasons, I always enjoyed it. Thank you as always, excellent work ~ Chuck

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much buddy and agreed 😉👍

[@ursirius4878]

My very first car was a 64' imperial. Loved it, wish I had kept it.

[@CarStarz42]

Nice! 😉👍

[@cigarobsession]

Wow I totally forgot about that show!

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, it was a short lived one indeed, but pretty cool 😉👍

[@garycorbin2789]

I remember that the green hornet instructed Kato to activate the stealth mode and drop the brushes to erase the tyre tracks , this demonstrated the Infra-Green headlamps swivelling in to place . I have this on DVD as a complilation and the TV Movie , it also had the feature of the probe, and the missle battery deployed.

[@CarStarz42]

I remember them being mentioned, but not actually shown if I remember right. If you find the specific episode where they were actually shown and not just mentioned, let us know. Thanks 😉👍

[@garycorbin2789]

Also the Rolling Arsenal, can run silent , this ability was not only on the imperial,but also shown in the earlier Movies on the Zephyr. I believe the George Barris Black Beauty is deploying a sonic stunner out of the rear partition and gun ports . Possibly another ability not shown.

[@garycorbin2789]

Also Rogans Black Beauty had Chameleon Paint , thus making the paint change the film crew had to make retro Canon🧐

[@garycorbin2789]

There was a DVD compilation of the Green Hornet episodes released in the late 1990s With The 1960's and the 1940s included. I will let you know . As a foot note the original Batmobile was a 1930's Phaeton ( Cadillac I believe ) it was Bruce Wayne's personal car , in that episode Batman muttered to Robin that he would be building the purpose built car ( movie novella )

[@Ecosse57]

super cool video! great work. i remember being a little kid in the late 60s and a friend had a small die cast toy of the green hornet car with i believe working features. i was envious!

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, and thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Flies2FLL]

I don't remember this show at all, though I've heard of "Green Hornet". The car is totally kitsch and totally cool; It would literally OWN a Cars & Coffee event! Great video!

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, it was a short lived show that many missed indeed, but very cool none the less and thanks, glad you enjoyed it 😉👍

[@Flies2FLL]

@@CarStarz42 Thanx for posting the video!

[@CarStarz42]

@@Flies2FLL You bet 😉👍

[@ck270]

The Green Hornet was a descendant of The Lone Ranger, with George Trendle creating both characters. BTW, has anyone ever wondered why the Black Beauty needed a licence plate?

[@CarStarz42]

Interesting, I never looked that far back into it.

[@RS35cyl]

Might be the coolest car ever!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@aLoneCrusader]

I would like to see movie version also! Although I like that the original is superior in every way :)

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and true 😉👍

[@jondickson75]

Yes please do an episode of the movie car! You never disappoint.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks or the vote and most likely will since many have responded 😉👍

[@donfoley6946]

7 months ago I picked up a Polar Lights model of the Black Beauty which used to be the Aurora kit, and it is in <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="92">1:32</a> scale. You might find it on the Round 2 website, but I found this one at Ollies Bargain Outlet, along with the model of Dick Dastardlys Mean Machine from The Wacky Races!

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, yeah they had both Aurora and Polar Lights branded versions indeed 😉👍

[@casey6518]

Never seen any episode of the series, never knew it was a TV series but thought it was a movie. Only car shows I remember when I was a little boy in the early 70's were The Musters & Batman from the late 60's.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉

[@IeeIee778]

Hi again I've always wanted my own replica of the green hornet

[@CarStarz42]

Howdy, Indeed and good to see you again, just like old times 😉

[@graemew7001]

I'm all for the Movie version please, even if I've not heard of some of vehicles you cover, it doesn't matter, I enjoy the facts etc, it really shows how much work you put in researching and its appreciated. Happy 4th of July , I'm one of those you had the sense to get away from lol.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks for the vote and the appreciation too as these do take a lot of work indeed 😉👍

[@TairnKA]

My mom had either a gold (I believe) 1965 or 1966 (glass headlight covers) Crown Imperial 4dr. One item that was fun to trick my friends with was the foot operated (above dimmer switch) radio scan button (weight of driver adjusts radio to driver's favorite station). ;-D

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, cool 😉👍

[@mohamad-ms2pb]

Back in 1986 I attended a custom car show in NYC.The Batmobile and the Black Beauty were both on display. But there was something off about the way the car looked even though I haven't seen the show in years. I knew then that car was not in the show. Now that I think about it, that replica may have been the car built by Barris.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, and most likely so.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much, glad you enjoyed it 😉👍

[@jeffsfleet]

Glad to see new videos posted! I'd like to see the Black Beauty from the movie. And unless I missed it, how about Axel Foley's blue Chevy Nova from Beverly Hills Cop?

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and noted. Yeah, I do have that Nova on my large to do list as well, just haven't got to it yet 😉

[@josephcabrera6396]

I have the <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="78">1:18</a> scale diecast model from AutoArt, it is beautiful. Thanks for the video

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and you're welcome 😉👍

[@culcune]

For the 2011 film, I bought several of the 1/87 (or thereabouts) scale models at Jack-in-the-Box which I have sitting in a box in my closet. By the way, it would be interesting to see a video about the modern car and even a comparison between the 1966 car would be in order.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and thanks for the vote 😉👍

[@claytonthomas1980]

Love the video and it's great to have you back, good to go with this one and I am a bit curious if the car that was used in the movie reboot with Seth Rogen was a Chrysler imperial or a different car altogether though, I was wondering if you could clarify that one if it's possible.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks, yeah I'll probably be doing a video on the movie version too, it was still an Imperial, just a heavily modded different year of Imperial I think, but I haven't looked into that one yet.

[@claytonthomas1980]

@@CarStarz42 thanks for the info and can't wait to see that video though.

[@garycorbin2789]

​@@CarStarz42I loved the Easter egg in the Rogan Movie ( there are a few earlier movies ) with the Zephyr on the rotisserie this harks back to the original Black Beauty from the movie theater Novellas . This pre dates the 1960's by at least 20 years.

[@CarStarz42]

@@garycorbin2789 Indeed 😉👍

[@petersilecchio4417]

Great Video and Car.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@nobody_special]

🔥🔥🔥 Would love to see a look at the movie version.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, I'll add it to the next poll then to gauge interest compared to a few others then, thanks for the feedback 😉👍

[@2264ish]

I was quit happy to recently aquire a Corgi Toys Black Beauty off of Ebay.

[@CarStarz42]

Nice, those are cool too 😉👍

[@gsdfan8455]

That is a beautiful car, but my buddy has a 66 Lincoln and I think it’s a better looking car. Glad you’re back.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed and thanks much, glad to be back 😉👍

[@jerryjones2818]

I was always under the impression they were 64 Imperials.

[@CarStarz42]

Nope, '66, not sure about the Movie version though, they might be, but I haven't looked into that one yet.

[@bobbova8708]

Thanks for a great video on a really neat car! Only 1 little thing,The Green Hornet was set in Central city,not Gotham city

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks, and that's true, guess I had the Gotham city cross over episodes too fresh on my mind, lol 😉

[@bobbova8708]

I just remembered something that I had either read or seen stating that Dean Jeffries actually had built 3 Black Beauty's, the hero car and the back up to the hero car and one car that was used only for publicity. This 3rd car was sent from city to city to appear with the actors to promote the series

[@CarStarz42]

@@bobbova8708 I suppose it's possible, maybe after the show was already running or something; however in the interviews I've watch of Dean, he always states he just built two.

[@ColtonRMagby]

A video on the version of the Black Beauty from the 2011 Seth Rogen movie would be amazing. I've listened to the commentary, and Seth Rogen almost considered throwing in a joke where Kato's favorite musician is Jay Chou, who IS Kato in that movie. That would've been funny as hell.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and lol, that would have been! Thanks for the vote too 😉👍

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@CarStarz42 You're welcome.

[@tbd-1]

I'm amused by the idea that you can change the license plate on a one-of-a-kind car and suddenly no one will recognize it.

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, yeah, gotta love that, much like how the Batmobile changed plates every so often too 😉

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😊

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@jamiehope4580]

Yes please need the remake movie car also

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks for the vote 😉👍

[@anthonylowman9518]

Yeah I’ve heard that George Barris took a lot of credit that was not his to take. But still he was an amazing talent!! Now love the Channel keep it up!!

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, there was a bit of a feud between Barris and Jefferies back then about this one in particular, lol. Glad you're enjoying the channel 😉👍

[@ronaldmiller673]

Happy 4th July 🎆🎆🧨🗽🥳🌍,Ron, 💥 Max, Leah 🎉

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks 😉👍

[@davestark2015]

Id like to see the new version

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, I'll add it to the next poll then to gauge interest compared to a few others then, thanks for the feedback 😉👍

[@donaldwilson2620]

I'm hoping you would be able to do a video one one of James Bond's rides such as the legendary Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger, the white Lotus Esprit turned submarine in The Spy Who Loved Me, or the gadget equipped silver BMW 7 Series in Tomorrow Never Dies.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, I do have some of those on my large to do list. Thanks 😉👍

[@haroldbirge6881]

🏆That was one bad machine🏆and 🙏Bruce Lee 👀 well hell you know he was a 🍀 bad machine ✌️

[@haroldbirge6881]

😅Almost forgot🎉happy 4th of July 🪅 brother👀keep up the🍀 great work please✌️

[@CarStarz42]

Heck yeah! 😉👍

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

'Quickly, kado get into black beauty we must save our city and fight against the evildoers' well no one fears a goat hero 😂😂😂 anyway as usual nice job carstarz on green hornet ride to know that both cars are still around buddy is best news and to my surprise that fact 5 where model cars made out of wood ( incredible work to make them look real at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="70">1:10</a> scale has got to be amazing feat 😮) just for short scene in weekly show mind you this was back in 60s my friend so the art of f/x really matters then and now ok then buddy i got to go so see you later bye now. P.S. Hey CarStarz i have you another movie car to check out the corvette stingray form king of the mountain and the 68 chevelle form war ok that is all then bye now.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed and yep; I do have that Vette and other cars in that movie on my to do list already indeed 😉👍

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

@CarStarz42 Thanks and almost forgot happy 4th of July to you carstarz.

[@gzuz4148]

Is the 77 camaro from Transformers 2007 on the list of future cars to cover? i loved that car ever since i was a kid i much prefer it over the concept camaro

[@CarStarz42]

Well, I've been avoiding that movie series in general due to the heavy CGI used throughout that I have a real hard time even looking at, but I might if a lot of people ask about it possibly.

[@Lambmit]

I would like to see a video on the more current version of the black beauty.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks for the vote and most likely will due to the many responses so far 😉👍

[@Lambmit]

@@CarStarz42 I respect and appreciate all your hard work to put out these videos.

[@CarStarz42]

@@Lambmit Thanks much friend🙂👍

[@XavierLorenzo-qi8iy]

Do you think you can cover Jesse’s 1981 El Camino in Breaking Bad/El Camino, as well as Gator’s 1971 Ford Galaxie 500 in White Lightning?

[@CarStarz42]

I do indeed already have those two on my very long to do list. Thanks 😉👍

[@chaddavis7228]

I would be interested in the movie black beauty. have a good day.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, thanks for the feedback 😉👍

[@starchief59flores81]

can you make a video on count olafs 61 imparial limo, from a series of unfortranet events

[@CarStarz42]

I'll add it to my big list to look into, thanks 😉👍

[@stevesmodelmania7960]

I built the garage scene with both cars and rotating floor <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="53">0:53</a>

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@karltork6040]

Just one correction Britt Reid's Chrysler was a 1966 300 not a '65.

[@CarStarz42]

That's right, not sure why I said '65, lol. Thanks for the heads up 😉👍

[@karltork6040]

​@@CarStarz42 It happens, it was an outstanding video!!! Have loved her since I was ten.

[@CarStarz42]

@@karltork6040 Indeed, yep a true beauty of a car indeed 😉👍

[@Gracies_vlogs]

Any chance of something on the Airwolf helicopter?

[@CarStarz42]

This is a car focused channel, but who knows, if I run out of cars to cover one day, I might branch out to other vehicle types 😉

[@jarm7726]

😎☮️

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@bftdr]

too bad the producers of the tv show could not have used a modified '37 lincoln zephyr as in the original movie series and comic books.

[@CarStarz42]

That would have been cool too 😉👍

[@1966blackbeauty]

Sadly your information you presented about Black Beauty #2 is incorrect. The car you featured from Minnesota was neither built by Dean Jeffries nor featured on the TV show.

[@CarStarz42]

Better tell the owner that then as they sure seem sure about it and go into quite a few details in their video on it. I assume by your channel's videos that you're one of the former owners of BB#1? If so, what do info do have on "the real" BB#2 car for us then? Thanks

[@secretlee7957]

Fact #11 Cato was Bruce Lee...👽

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, that's a given and the other main reason why people watched it😉👍

[@stevesmodelmania7960]

And Britt Reids everyday car is a 66 chrysler 300 convertible not a 65

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, not sure why I said '65 there, lol.

[@davidparker8221]

Following up to my earlier comment: Fate of show models. Watch/Contact KZbin Channel producer Max's Models Coffee with Max's Models 8/12/22 Green Hornet Models Update.

[@CarStarz42]

That's cool and I watched it, but unfortunately nothing in that video really proved that the models still exist, it was just speculative showing the same old photos from back when they used on the show. I guess that must mean that whomever he was communicating with about those models didn't get back to him with the info he was asking for since that was a couple years ago now. Let us know if any future updates on that come to fruition though. Thanks for sharing 😉👍

[@davidparker8221]

@@CarStarz42 I think in one of his other livestreams they did. That's why I was directing you to him.

[@CarStarz42]

@@davidparker8221 Ah, ok. I searched through his video list anyways, but didn't see any other related and I think live streams stay uploaded as videos, but maybe not or maybe he deleted it or something. Thanks for the info.

[@user-fw6xr3ue2q]

440 was released in 67. Just saying…

[@CarStarz42]

Well, these '66 models had 440s, so there's that.

[@jeromeandrews8799]

George Barris was a joke making hideous versions of different TV and movie cars.

[@CarStarz42]

Well, he did do plenty of cool original things too, but I know what you mean. I think the whole story on this one anyways is that the studio reached out to Barris first and that was his attempt of making what they wanted, but they didn't like it enough to use it. That's one story I came across anyways, not sure if it is true or not though.

[@davidparker8221]

First: The model cars that did the garage flip exist. They are in private ownership and in the feedback of another KZbin video is how I learned they exist. I'll look for it among my playlists. 2nd: Dean Jeffries painted many of the famous Indy 500 (U.S.A.C./Champcar) racecars. He "farmed out" the making of a replica for the showrod circuit to his former employer, George Barris. In addition to putting his own "touches" on it, Barris started claiming he built the Black Beauty and also The Monkeemobile. Hence, the feud. I always think of that Star Trek episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" with Frank Gorshin. Barris and Jeffries strangling each other for eternity. 3rd: In the Seth Rogen & Jay Chou "Green Hornet" film, the rotating car is a maroonish red 1937 Lincoln Zephyr, which in a modified form was "Black Beauty" in the pre-WW II, movie serial of the Green Hornet. (Warning: Very prejudiced portrayal of Asian Stereotypes) It's kind of a double tribute in one special effect. That Zephyr may be the very 1st totally custom hero car in film history. That car has been lost in time. William Coxe did a KZbin video on a scale replica model build that is AWESOME! I enjoy your videos, and happy hunting for the others I'm recommending to you!

[@CarStarz42]

@@davidparker8221 Wow, thanks for all the great extra info there! Yeah, there were some interesting custom car builder feuds like that back then for sure. Glad to hear those models are still around somewhere as everything I read about them in forums and such indicated they had been lost in time.

[@KhaoticKalm]

Trying to to consolidate Black Beauty movie car votes 👍 - double tap this comment.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, thanks for the vote 😉👍

[@KhaoticKalm]

@@CarStarz42 doesn’t look like it worked lol

[@CarStarz42]

@@KhaoticKalm Well, quite a few people have left comments requesting it though, so I'll probably cover it in the not too distant future 😉👍

[@KhaoticKalm]

Awesome, of course the originals are always going to have peoples hearts but every so often a reimagined version hits a home run.

[@CarStarz42]

@@KhaoticKalm Indeed 😉👍