Larry Johnson's Buckhead Auto Repair Center ASE.Mechanics

TV's Dream Cars

Pity the fool who bought a black Chevy Camaro and drove it down the streets of Gahanna, Ohio, in 1981.

To children of the day it just couldn't compare to a Pontiac Trans-Am. Especially one that had a roving red light in the grill and a smooth voice that cooed "Hello, Michael."

But you still had a chance to earn our respect. You just needed to blare Dixie, Duke Boys-style, from one of those electronic horns - quite possibly the most annoying car accessory in history. At least until we saw a Civic glow in neon.

As day drifted into dusk, Mom would call us for dinner. And again. And a third time. We picked at our meatloaf, cleverly hid our green beans underneath the ridge of our plate. We politely asked to be excused, and then darted to the beanbag chair in front of that magical box in the living room.

No matter how much trouble we got into that day, no matter how many girls gave us the cooties, we knew that at that same Bat Time - on that same Bat Channel - we'd get to dream, if only for 60 minutes.

Kids will be kids, sure. All we had were dreams back then. But we grew up, became adults, learned what life is really all about. Along the way, those memories got pushed behind the bills that fill our mailbox, the work that fills our in-box.

But they never go away. No, they lurk there, waiting until a Gran Torino speeds past you on I-275. And they make you smile.

Chances are most of us will never own a Ferrari. Or a Barracuda. Or a psychedelic green van with - zoinks! - a talking dog named Scooby Doo. Back then, it was enough to just think that someday that would be us behind the wheel. So every time we see Mr. T, we can think back to watching TV with our dad and our brother, knowing that we all loved it when a plan came together in that GMC.

Hottest TV Cars of All Time

1. Batmobile (Batman 1966-68)

The '55 Lincoln Futura debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in 1955, and like hundreds of concept cars, it never made it to a dealer near you. But it caught the eye of the show's producers 11 years later and George Barris, known as the "King of the Kustomizers" worked his magic.

Sure, what ultimately kept the streets of Gotham safe was the street smarts of the Caped Crusader, the Boy Wonder and, let's be honest, Alfred. But we got fired up every time we saw the Batmobile scorch out of the Batcave to "POW!" The Penguin.

Where to see it: The series isn't on DVD, but rent the comically brilliant 1966 flick Batman - The Movie (gotta love the Shark Repellent!).

2. The General Lee (The Dukes of Hazzard 1979-85)

If you miss the bright orange paint on the '69 Dodge Charger, or the Confederate flag on its roof, you'll definitely yield to its Dixie horn.

A generation of boys never meanin' no harm grew up dreaming of skimming across the hood of their car and rescuing leggy Daisy Duke by launching their car over Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane's always-doomed cruiser.

Where to see it: The series is on DVD, or you can create your own YouTube version with the $275 General Lee decal kit from www.buildagenerallee.com.

3. Magnum's Ferrari (Magnum, P.I. 1980-88)

The '79 Ferrari 308 GTS was designed by Italian car design firm Pininfarina, and driven cross-country by writer P.J. O'Rourke before the series began.

Forget that big number on the gas station signs these days - Ferrari is synony-mous with the ultimate luxury in sports cars. And who wouldn't want Magnum's life? Living in a plush guest house, drinking beer, romancing the ladies? And all on someone else's dime.

Where to see it: The show airs daily on the Sleuth Channel, but catch the real thing at the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum in Great Britain or on the Universal Studios' Studio Tour in Hollywood.

4. KITT (Knight Rider 1982-86)

Knight Industries Two Thousand, a '82 Pontiac Trans-Am T-top, was designed by Michael Scheffe.

If you commute the streets of Tampa every day, you want - dare we say, need - Turbo Boost, flame-throwers and automatic pilot.

Where to see it: On DVD. The updated series, starring Justin Bruening, debuts on NBC at 9 p.m. Sunday.

Areas: Avondale Estates, Buckhead, Clarkston, Decatur, Mableton, Marietta, Norcross, Scottdale,Smyrna, Tucker  

Categories: Autos | Repair&Service | Auto Repairs | Brake Service | Transmissions

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