A later version of UltraMan would have probably had a K-Imperial with ULTRADRIVE!
Back when sex was naughty, the air was cleaner, and seat belts were an option, we had the three major networks in DFW, plus a strong independent. PBS came later. The independent carried Saturday Night Wrestling (some of my grandmother's friends had season tickets on the front row!). After midnight, there usually were some B-grade gangster movies (usually near Las Vegas, NV) or '60s European-produced gladiator movies. The car chases had the engine and tire sounds dubbed-in, as the black GM sedans (usually mid-50s Oldsmobiles and Cadilliacs) slid around the "country roads" in the desert. As shots were exchanged. Not really worth staying up for, but once you started watching, hard to stop. They all had black sunglasses on, too.
"The Beverly Hillbillies", et al, was humor we could associate with and enjoy. "Adam 12" and "Emergency" had Mopar vehicles (a plus), but the Jack Webb series was good too. I started liking the "cop shows" with "77 Sunset Strip" (I have the related album, too). All of which evolved out with "The FBI" with Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. Can't forget all of the beach movies!
All of the LA-area California Car Culture was chronicled in the old green-shade print "Hot Rod" magazines, with the companion "Motor Trend". As the Petersen Publishing Company was the premier automotive publican supplier, back then. "Hot Rod" with their annual hot rod engine/vehicle "Annuals" each year, starting in 1961, with the "Motor Trend" Engine Annuals starting in 1965. Specs and information everywhere!
The 1950s and 1960s were a GREAT time to be growing up and liking/paying attention to CARS! By about 1965, most vehicular systems (engines, transmissions, a/c systems, p/s and p/b systems had reached a very nice plateau, which would last for several decades until emimssions and fuel economy issues would force better technology (at higher costs), as well as improved safety equipment. Factory stereo systems kept improving well into the 1980s, though.
Great cars, great times, great memories!
CBODY67