Author Topic: Automaker Loyalty on Game Shows... (Read 4203 times)

TimK2003 · « **on:** February 26, 2007, 08:50:44 PM »

[quote name=\'davemackey\' post=\'146946\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 05:27 PM\']
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146941\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 04:01 PM\']
2. Was the Chevy Vega the unofficial sponsor of mid-70s game shows?
[/quote]
Lots of shows gave away the Vegas because they were cheap. Someone won five of them on "Baffle" before they changed their bonus game. However, the Vegas (hatchback coupe, notchback sedan, GT and Kammback wagon) were all pretty much gone from the road about ten or fifteen years hence because there were a lot of problems with the tiny 140cc aluminum engines used to power them. But they were cute little cars designed to give those upstart imports from Toyota, Datsun (now Nissan) and Honda some competition.
[/quote]

I noticed that GM seemed to be the leader in car prizes on Game Shows -- especially in the 70's. Was General Motors that willing to furnish cars back in the day, or is it just coincidence?

I also thought that this would be a great spin-off from the Page 'O' Clips thread:

What shows/production companies were exclusive to a specific car model/automaker? A couple to start off with:

Hatos/Hall (US Split Second, LMAD, 3 For The Money) --
IIRC, all cars were from the various divisions of General Motors only (Chevy, Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick,...)

Barry & Enright --
They were GM exclusive as well, no?

Others?

tmq800 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2007, 08:59:58 PM »

Also The Price Is Right had AMC, GM and Ford cars from 1972-1977, then they dropped AMC from 1977-1983, but then AMC/Jeep/Renault cars started reappearing on TPIR from 1984 until they were bought by Chrysler in 1988. I think Chrysler cars started appearing on TPIR in 1983. However, from mid-1993 through early 1996, TPIR didn't feature any GM cars as prizes; just Ford and Chrysler cars.

BrandonFG · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2007, 09:02:29 PM »

[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'146974\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 08:50 PM\']
Hatos/Hall (US Split Second, LMAD, 3 For The Money) --
IIRC, all cars were from the various divisions of General Motors only (Chevy, Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick,...)
[/quote]
I remember a few Datsun sports cars and a Lancia in some 70s LMAD eps. The mid-80s version used a lot of Chevrolets, mainly the Chevette, Cavalier, and Camaro. A few Mazda 626s as well. What did the Vancouver version give away.

Quote

Barry & Enright --
They were GM exclusive as well, no?

Seems like it. I think they started with the Buick Skylark for syndie TJW and TTD contestants, then switched to Chevettes in the early-80s.

Heatter-Quigley was heavy on GM products as well, but I remember a few nighttime HSq eps. offering a 1975 Datsun hatchback.

Chief-O · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2007, 09:36:58 PM »

I also remember seeing an old [pre-American Motors] Renault on LMAD. IIRC, it was about '72-73.

BrandonFG · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2007, 09:49:59 PM »

[quote name=\'tmq800\' post=\'146975\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 08:59 PM\']
Also The Price Is Right had AMC, GM and Ford cars from 1972-1977, then they dropped AMC from 1977-1983, but then AMC/Jeep/Renault cars started reappearing on TPIR from 1984 until they were bought by Chrysler in 1988. I think Chrysler cars started appearing on TPIR in 1983. However, from mid-1993 through early 1996, TPIR didn't feature any GM cars as prizes; just Ford and Chrysler cars.
[/quote]
And interestingly enough, it was only the CBS version. The Davidson version featured American (including GM) and foreign cars.

Clay Zambo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:32:39 PM »

[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146979\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 09:49 PM\']
And interestingly enough, it was only the CBS version. The Davidson version featured American (including GM) and foreign cars.
[/quote]

The 1991 CBS episode on which my wife proved how badly "Hit Me" can be played (and won) featured a Mazda Miata as a Showcase prize. (Sadly, Herself got beat on the Wheel, so no Miata for her.)

bandit_bobby · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:43:31 PM »

On the Larry Edmur era of Austrailian Wheel of Fortune, the car was usually a Mitshibushi Colt.

And on Temptation in Austrailia, the cars were always and still Volvos.

BrandonFG · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:47:51 PM »

[quote name=\'bandit_bobby\' post=\'146989\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 10:43 PM\']
On the Larry Edmur era of Austrailian Wheel of Fortune, the car was usually a Mitshibushi Colt.

And on Temptation in Austrailia, the cars were always and still Volvos.
[/quote]
Sorry to respond for the third time in one post, but this actually reminded me of "Wait Til You Have Kids" from the Family Channel. I remember the announcer actually saying that the Geo Metro was the official car of the show.

PYLdude · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:51:05 PM »

[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146976\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 09:02 PM\']

Quote

Barry & Enright --
They were GM exclusive as well, no?

Seems like it. I think they started with the Buick Skylark for syndie TJW and TTD contestants, then switched to Chevettes in the early-80s.
[/quote]

Then in the last two seasons of each, they had switched again...AMC Eagles and Mazda GLCs.

cweaver · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2007, 05:34:17 PM »

[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146976\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 10:02 PM\']
Heatter-Quigley was heavy on GM products as well, but I remember a few nighttime HSq eps. offering a 1975 Datsun hatchback.
[/quote]

I'm not at home so I'm relying strictly on memory (I think there was a surprisingly unique car given away on the nighttime "Party" episodes, for instance) but here's what I can remember seeing/hearing/knowing about what was given away on The Hollywood Squares in the Marshall era:

1967 Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Pontiac Firebird (awesome running footage!)
1968 Pontiac Tempest
1973 Chevy Corvette
Pontiac Astre
Chevy Vega
Chevy Chevette
Chevy Impala/Caprice
Datsun hatchbacks (one as late as the 1979 syndicated classic rock and roll show)

Don't remember any Fords whatsoever though it wouldn't surprise me if a Pinto slipped in there.

wheelloon · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:55:53 PM »

At one point, early in Price's run (72-74ish), they had to have offered VW's semi-regularly as well. On my computer, I have a clip from somewhere online, I don't remember where exactly, where the 2nd version of Bullseye was played (aka 2-player auction), and a VW Super Beetle was the prize won (MSRP, a reasonable $2231).

I also vaguely remember VW's on LMaD from the early 70's as well. Perhaps VW tried to get in the game for a few years, but quit due to the overly strong American automobile presence that could be seen back then?

TimK2003 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2007, 09:06:12 PM »

On The New Treasure Hunt in the 70's they had in the prize mix a Rolls Royce.

This is from a foggy memory, but I don't remember seeing any other cars up for grabs in that version but the Rolls (any other show offer Rolls Royces?).

Jimmy Owen · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2007, 09:13:51 PM »

On "Hot Seat," the cars were provided by either AMT or Revell, not sure which.

BrandonFG · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2007, 09:15:17 PM »

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'147089\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 09:13 PM\']
On "Hot Seat," the cars were provided by either AMT or Revell, not sure which.
[/quote]
I lol'd.

TimK2003 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2007, 10:09:50 PM »

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'147089\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 10:13 PM\']
On "Hot Seat," the cars were provided by either AMT or Revell, not sure which.
[/quote]

I think the Opel on Gambit was Revell!

Talk about old memories? There was a time when K-Mart's toy department used to have a whole half-aisle devoted to model planes, trains and automobiles.

And what a buzz you could get from that $.98 tube of K-Mart modeling glue!!

Author Topic: Automaker Loyalty on Game Shows... (Read 4203 times)

bandit_bobby

cweaver