Custom car creations for TV shows were a hot commodity in the 1960s, so naturally, the teeny-bopper fans of The Monkees were treated to a street machine befitting their rock ‘n roll heartthrobs. The Monkeemobile become as famous as the ersatz band itself, with millions of scale models sold and several full-size replicas built for special occasions.
The Pick of the Day is one of those replicas, a reputedly exact copy of the original Dean Jeffries creation that was professionally built to appear along with the surviving band members for the Monkees 45th Anniversary Tour, which took place in 2011.
The tour brought together Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones (who died of a heart attack in 2012) for the nationwide appearances, and their signatures appear on the car’s glovebox door, according to the Venice, Florida, dealer advertising the Monkeemobile on ClassicCars.com.
The original Monkeemobile – and there were two of these cartoons-on-wheels made, one for use on the TV show and one for promotional appearances for the show – was designed and built by Jeffries, an acclaimed West Coast customizer, using a pair of 1966 Pontiac GTOs supplied by the GM division, which was interested in gaining even more publicity for their already wildly popular muscle car.
The cars were built under Jeffries’ contract with Model Products Corporation, which then had exclusive rights to build Monkeemobile scale models, of which they sold around 7 million.
The dealer advertising the Monkeemobile provides scant information about its history, aside from noting that it is the 45th Anniversary tour replica and powered by a small-block GM V8 and 4-speed manual transmission. The towering supercharger sticking out of the hood is most likely a prop – these cars were much more show than go – although from the photos accompanying the ad, the replica looks indistinguishable from the originals.
One of the two original Monkeemobiles, the promotional version, was owned and showcased for years by California customizer George Barris, whose Burbank shop created many well-known custom cars for TV shows. In 2008, it sold for a resounding $360,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale, Arizona, auction.
The 45th anniversary replica version of the Monkeemobile is not expected to approach that result, but the dealer selling the car asks to be contacted for the price tag.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Hi, I got The Monkee Mobile as a Christmas present from my friend . I love it . Because I am a Big fan of The Monkees . I have spent many happy summers going to see them.
It’s Monkeemobile, NOT "Monkees Mobile!"
Sheesh. . .
Thanks, Valleri. I kept seeing it: Monkees Mobile, Monkee Mobile and Monkeemobile, take your pick. Since the dealer had Monkees Mobile, I went with that. I did some deeper research (never a fan of the show) and found that the MPC model had Monkeemobile, though other model kits had the other spellings. Whatever, I changed throughout to Monkeemobile since that seems most likely after all. BTW: you’re the only one to mention.
You may also want to correct the line about the "surviving members". You state that Davy Jones passed away in 2012, but you don’t mention that Michael Nesmith is still alive…and still performing. This makes it look like he is not.
I’m pretty sure this is the car I took a ride in by the guy who made it, from Galion Ohio!! If I remember right Peter Tork help show it off at the auction in Arizona! Love this car!!!
There were 2 built MM by Dean Jeffries. The #1 was recovered in Puerto Rico after it was missing for many year when it was ship to Australia…! The one in the photos about is the number 2 which years later landed in George Barris hands, of course he did not built it, surprised…! Barris placed yellow paint on the front nose during ownership. Later the number 2 was auctioned and then rehab..!
The car above isn’t #2 Monkeemobile. I know more about The Monkeemobiles; then anyone. Look at The Monkees logos; this a 1967 Monkeemobile; because that is the donor they could find. I have pictures of every Monkeemobile. This is the 45th Anniversary 2011 car. It has a black parachute and and has The Monkees black, 45th Anniversary on the back the chute. George Barris took #2 Monkeemobile; since he owned it; since 1971, and had it, altered, restored. The Enderle three-injector scoop and baffles are all chrome baffles; not red anymore. George Barris, made the car, like the 1967, copyrighted 1966 Monkeemobile MPC model kit. Which, he had the fourth pipe on the side the blower, turned to three; like the model. He had it strippped of all the upholstery; and changed to white, including, the Touring top. George had it stained black inside the top with chrome bands. It had, two stupid video computers, coming off the middle rear bucket seats and into the cool bench seat. Now, you could only sit in the middle. You had to charge this system if you wanted it to work. The yellow parachute is white since 2007. The paint was changed to raspberry and had Dean Jeffries Monkees’ baners put back on the car. In 2017 the car was auctioned again and sold for half a million. It was repainted red with, gold Monkees logos. It had slender front tires, and fat rear tires with Crager mags and matching knockoffs. In 2016, Micky Dolenz, drove a right-handed Monkeemobile in Australia, made out of fiberglass. Now, May 2021, Billy Mumy showed up on Facebook; with another Monkeemobile. Now, if if wasn’t loaned, that makes 10 Monkeemobiles. Mr. Sharp, took a 1965 Malibu frame and put the 1966 Pontiac GTO body on it. bought The Monkeemobile buck, pulled from the one the original two Monkeemobiles. He had bought, with #2 Monkeemobile tan dash pieces, from, #2 Monkeemobile, Cragar mags and knockoffs, hooked, the four dummy megaphone headers; to a Dean Jeffries’; bought 350 CID engine; with a throaty sound. I could go on ladies and gentlemen; because years ago, I made that blog; and added the different Monkeemobiles. I recently updated it too.