Rod Taylor and Dennis Cole played a couple of good guys for hire in the southwest circa 1914. Not a typical western, the time frame allowed then to uses neat props - the series co-star was a 1914 Stutz Bearcat. They also used old airplanes, old cars and trucks, even a WWI-era tank. The bad guys were German spies and an assorted group of renegades and terrorists. Famed TV car builder George Barris built two replicas of a 1914 Bearcat for the series. With modern engines and drivetrains, they were more reliable (and less expensive) than a real Stutz.

--J. Boyle

Before this show hit the airwaves I thought the Stutz Bearcat was the coolest car ever made, so when the series came along I was an easy mark. Rod Taylor was perfect in those cavalry jodhpurs -- no one looked as good until Bill Campbell in "The Rocketeer"! Of course, I was also a "Rat Patrol" fan and built the plastic model of the desert jeeps from that show, but I'd always wanted to find a model of the Stutz and equip it with those twin 30-cal. Brownings (water-cooled, no less!) on the fenders. Alas, the show did not last long enough!

I really liked the theme music -- to this day I can still hum it off the top of my head. It rivaled the best TV music of the 60s (Mission Impossible, Jonny Quest, Medical Center, Hawaii Five-0). The most vivid visual (other than those johdpurs) was that gorgeous overhead shot of the Stutz sailing off into the desert in a cloud of dust, with our heros blanketed in their racing dusters.

My final recollection is of Cleveland Amory's review in TV Guide, in which he asked whether the show would be as good if they'd used the name of the car's twin and called the show "Mercer Raceabout!"

--Dave the Wave

First off: a correction. The car used in the pilot movie was indeed a 1914 Stutz Bearcat, Series E torpedo roadster. As this was one of only 48 known original Bearcats left in existence, two replicas were commissioned and built for use in the series 'Bearcats', by builder George Barris.

The movie and the series were a well conceived and different take on the action/adventure genre., unfortunately the show was up against The Flip Wilson show, that being at the time the number two rated show in that time slot.

The attention to detail paid in the movie carried over to the series as well, this made for enjoyable viewing for not only older children (such as myself at the time) but for the Fathers as well, as the clothing, scenery, firearms et. al. were authentic to the era.

The twin Vickers . 303 heavy machine guns, mounted atop the front fenders, was a well thought of touch, as well as Bracketts use of a 1898 Mauser rifle complete with period correct scope!

I still remember my Dad commenting on how easy it was to just sit back and watch the show with me, as there was simply nothing glaringly out of place. Many movies and TV shows of late have rediscovered the quality this brings, in allowing a knowledgeable audience to lose themselves in the goodness of the story. Every time I think of this old show, I can't help but smile and remember…

--Geoffrey Bernstein

Talking about the firearms, can't forget the Lewis . 303 machine gun in the box on the running board.

My best friend and I (just kids at the time) still like watching "Powderkeg!", the pilot, together (although Hank's rifle in that one is a Springfield). And I totally loved the theme music.

I don't suppose anyone has access to copies of the episodes, do they? I remember on ebay years ago, they had one of the original 35mm tapes for sale. Went out of my price range, considering I had no way to view it.

Speaking of ebay, to the guy who wanted to get the model of the car: I got one there, brand new in plastic! They come up from time to time.

--Saint Bob