In 2002, I made a new friend when I discovered the site for the Green Hornet's Black Beauty (www.theblackbeauty.com).  His name is Karl Kirchner and he owns the second (of only 2) of the Black Beauties (pictured above) that were built by Dean Jeffries for the Green Hornet television show. I emailed him to ask for a scan of the car and we've been emailing ever since.  He saw my Chicago Tribune email address and asked me if I knew anyone who might be interested in doing a story on the car.  I sent a suggestion to the editor of the automotive section and they had one of their freelancers do the story.  I got copies of the plates made and sent them to Karl.  I was also able to get in touch with Van Williams who played the Green Hornet in the TV series and sent him copies of the plates as well.  We emailed a bit, too.  So, in a way, I got to electronically meet one of my childhood heroes.  It was really cool!!

The Black Beauty was almost as much of a character in the Green Hornet TV show as Van, Bruce Lee, Wende Wagner and the rest of the cast.  It was used in every episode of the show.  The Black Beauty had rocket launchers in the front and rear, a nozzle to shoot oil out the rear of the car to create an oil slick to thwart pursuers, and a remote scanner that launched from the trunk, flew through the air and observed GHs enemies.  It also had a car phone, which was almost unheard of  in 1966!!!

Unfortunately, the show only lasted one season.  There has been talk of a movie, but so far none of the efforts has panned out.  I've always wondered what car would be used for the Black Beauty if they were to do a modern version.  To see my candidates for a modern-day Black Beauty, see the Modern Day Metal section on the Heavy Metal Cruisers page.

Kato (Bruce Lee), The Green Hornet (Van Williams), Batman (Adam West), and Robin (Burt Ward) try to solve a crime that has brought the Green Hornet to Gotham City.