The Batmobile. Mad Max‘s Intercepter. Doc Brown’s DeLorean. Fozzie Bear’s rainbow technicolor Studebaker. These are iconic movie cars that instantly bring up visions of the film’s they’re from. In 1979, Jim Henson and co released the first feature-length film starring The Muppets. Kermit the Frog meets with budding comedian Fozzie Bear, and the pair launch on a cross-country journey to follow their dreams. Perhaps as important as these felt characters with instantly recognizable personalities is their vehicle- a 1951 Bullet Nose Studebaker Commander.
After filming ended on “The Muppet Movie,” the hero vehicle (which was hollowed out to allow principal puppeteers to perform the characters IN the vehicle) was left on the Warner Bros. back lot. Then, it found it’s way to the Studebaker Driver’s Club Orange Empire Chapter, which eventually donated it to The Studebaker National Museum. This is where the new story begins.
The Museum is looking to restore the vehicle, and is asking Muppets fans for their help.
A donation box had been placed at the museum next to the car, with funds going directly to the restoration project. But, the vehicle where we all first heard “Movin’ Right Along” needs more help. So, the museum has launched a GoFundMe campaign with the hopes of raising $175,000 for the project.
You can read more about the campaign and donate on GoFundMe here.
“The Muppet Movie,” as well as pretty much every other Muppets title, are available to stream on Disney+.
