The restored 1955 Pontiac Star Chief featured on several episodes of “I Love Lucy” sold for $220,000 in a 2014 auction conducted by Barrett-Jackson. In the television series, it was said to be red over white. Clearly, the restoration included a different paint scheme. Photo from restomods.com

We are counting down the Top 50 hot rods and street cars of all time that have made an appearance in a television series, or a memorable television episode. Starting from #50, and counting down to our #1 pick, follow along with our memories, and see where your favorite show lands.

18. I Love Lucy: 1955 Pontiac Star Chief

One of the most memorable episodes for car aficionados to air during the eight-year run of “I Love Lucy,” between 1951-1957 was the one titled “California Here We Come.” Set in New York, Ricky and Lucy Ricardo (Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball), and their quirky, lovable neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz (William Frawley and Vivian Vance) decide to take a trip across the country to California. More specifically, to Hollywood, where Ricky will be working for a movie studio. This is of much delight to Lucy, who has grand visions of hobnobbing with famous celebrities.

Another star of this episode (number 11 of season four), is the 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible. According to a website tvacres.com, on this specific episode, “When Ricky and Lucy Ricardo take a cross country trip from New York to California, they drive a red and white 1955 Pontiac convertible passenger car. It had 180 horse power and an automatic transmission.”

But, when that same car came up for auction with Barrett-Jackson in 2014, the sale description had no mention of a red and white car.  It sold for $220,000 as a completely restored car, with a different paint scheme.

Ricky Ricardo surprises Lucy, Fred, and Ethyl with a new 1955 Pontiac Star Chief convertible. Photo from imcdb.org.

According to Dann Cahn, a head editor at I Love Lucy, “I packed up and I met an agency in New York and I went across the George Washington Bridge and made that famous first process shot for television – which was when they went across the bridge singing “California Here We Come.” They were in the Pontiac with the top down, but they were sitting on the sound stage with the audience,” he said. “And behind them was the what we called a process film plate, which I shot out of the rear end of a station wagon going across the bridge, and it was projected behind them on the screen. And that was the first process photography for television. Momentous moment, and it looked great.”

The gang sings “California Here We Come” while driving across the George Washington Bridge before heading cross-country to Hollywood, California. Photo from imcdb.org.

The Pontiac went on to appear in numerous future episodes throughout 1955 as part of a promotional deal with General Motors, including episode 109 “Lucy Learns to Drive,” episode 111 “First Stop,” episode 112 “Tennessee Bound,” episode 113 “Ethel’s Hometown,” and Episode 114 “L.A. at Last.”