The Flintstones was the first animated series to find its way onto prime time television, and until the advent of The Simpsons, it was also the most successful animated series in television history. One of the most instantly recognizable images from that series was the car driven by Fred Flintstone, and it even managed to make the transition from the 1960s small-screen to the 1990s big-screen largely unchanged. It isn’t clear what the origins are of this particular vehicle, but it would appear that it may have been used as a theater promotional prop for one of those big-screen releases. If you would love to own what could conceivably be considered to be the World’s oldest classic car, then you will find this one located in Parker, Colorado, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has been surprisingly solid on The Flintstones replica, but it has still only pushed the price along to $787. Maybe this could wind up being a cheap classic to park in your driveway.
This is one of those rare classics where we don’t have to worry about rust in the floors because there are no floors. Come to think of it, there are no body panels either, so that’s another good thing. The car features a soft-top, and this is, by design, a little rough around the edges. Of course, when the top has been made from the skin of a Brontosaurus that has been hacked off with stone tools, then precision fit and finish is not going to be a real consideration. Getting serious for a moment, it isn’t clear what the vehicle has been made from, but I would suspect that it would be largely fiberglass, and possibly, timber. For those of us who are old enough to remember the TV series, this does represent a pretty good replica, and if it was a promotional prop for the movies, then it has survived well over the intervening years. However, its useful life as a promotional tool might not be at an end. As we speak, there are both a new movie and a TV series in development, so an enterprising owner might even be able to hire the vehicle out to their nearest cinema and generate a bit of revenue from the car.
Interior trim in Fred’s Sled is essentially non-existent. There are also no power options, no gauges, no in-car entertainment, nothing. This is a car that would have had the shortest options list in automotive history! Powering the vehicle were two rather robust cylinders, also known as Fred’s legs. Having watched the series as a boy, I just came to accept the fact that Fred drove a car that he powered himself. Now I look at it and my logical side has to ask some questions. This car has granite wheels, no tires, no suspension, and no padding on the seats. Just how tough were Fred, Wilma, and Co. to be able to handle traveling in this car without their teeth literally shaking loose? Also, if you watch the original series, you only see Fred’s legs hanging down to power the car. Where do the Wilma, Betty, and Barney put their legs? And how lazy do you have to be to let one person power the car that you are sitting in? Also, given the fact that the original car is built out of timber with solid granite wheels, just how strong is Fred to be able to get the thing moving in the first place?
Seriously, I’m not really sure what you would do with this car if you bought it, although I can see that it would make a fantastic promotional tool for a business. Of course, if it is made largely of fiberglass, then it would be relatively weather resistant. This could make it a great thing to park in the yard for the kids to play on. As I said, if the new Flintstones movie does see the light of day, it could also generate a bit of income for an enterprising owner. In the meantime, you could always just use it to drive down to your local fast-food outlet to grab yourself a Bronto-Burger!
I believe the Flintstones were an animated takeoff of the Honeymooners TV show and the Simpsons more than surpassed that show. Probably a prop from the Flintstones movie. It was a very successful film, and they probably made dozens of these cars.
“Yabba Dabba Doo!” To bad it is a clone. I can tell by the steering wheel. Wilma or Betty?
Yep, this is the GT wheel and the sedans had the larger diameter wheel. Another tell tale sign it’s a clone is that the kinigley pins are missing. Very hard to find today.
Gotta go now, Dino and I are going to get a brontoburger.
GT wheel as in GraniTe?
Except for Lucy and Ethel it’s always #2. Just ask Ginger.
One for show, one for go.
Both !! Simultaneously !! Giggity !!
Wilma. My stoneage ancestors were Irish – redheads are magical!
both prudes….hahaha but ill go with betty? not a red head fan hahaha
This one looks to be the “camera car” used for those tight shots, when Fred and Barney headed out to the local strip club. (Elk Lodge,,, yeah, right)
I remember these from the 60s.
Do not buy unless it has the HEMI option
This one has the two-cylinder FREDDY option. It was the base engine.
Just a matter of time before it shows up at an LS fest.
Need to see some documentation (stone tablet?) to prove provenance.
not the best tread for the winter!
and… how does the rear axle not fall off when going forward… that ALWAYS puzzled me!
Burning Man
I would go for a 318 Poly swap, but that’s just me…
These dam flippers are ruining the hobby!
L-88 427, “rock crusher” 4 speed, Olds rearend with 4.88’s, plenty of life insurance.
Hey leiniedude, have to go with Wilma!
I’m old enough to remember driving one like this. One thing you learn quickly is to watch your toes when you have it in reverse.
Reminds me of several cars I’ve had; no power, no floors, no options and bald tires.
Looks like there’s still plenty of granite left on those tires.
Once you get it rolling the inertia from those granite rollers should make this baby fly…stopping on the other hand
1974, Tampa FL, my next door neighbor has one of these + the Barney Rubble car life-sized replicas parked in front of his house. They are gone now, I wonder what happened to them……..
Jay Leno bought them
No need to be content with decades-old memories, The Flintstones is currently a staple of MeTV’s lineup! They even have a promo that makes the comparison with The Honeymooners.
Bid difference was that Fred never threatened to hit his wife all the time
Make it The Jetsons car and I’m in .
Looks pretty rust free but sadly it needs floorplans though, I would replace top it’s a little torn up around the windshield, but once again it sadly needs all the glass, lights, and most of the trim the seats will likely need recoverd but over all looks like a nice starting point for a project will look when restored
Nice rims though
There you go. Always trying to restomod the classics. Admittingly it is matter of personal taste.
I would accept its daily driver original condition, enjoy the low mileage, low carb consumption and excelent air con.
I wonder thou, will it be licenced as a two wheeler?
Another undesirable 4 door.
The original is a 2 door on the cartoon.
The two door was the sport model. Being two wheels, does that not qualify as a motorcycle?
Looks to have the needed ‘rock’ and pinion steering .
Car must have been manufactured by granite & wood of Bedrock. No steering linkage so it must have been turned by mind control which Fred had little of. Calluses on feet was a must. Fun cartoon show. Still watch it on Me tv.
God bless America
Is it April 1st? This is a bad joke and doesn’t belong here.
Get a life John, try smiling, you might be surprised just how good it feels !
Gosh thanks!
It may as well have a bowtie on the front…the end result would be the same…
Can you not see the Blue Oval on the hood ?🤣
Great cracks! The rest of you.lighten up!
CraZee Dino always put the hole in the roof himself if I remember correctly. I guess the roof got replaced alot.
With that, I’ll amend my earlier comments. Wilma and Betty are both pretty hot.
Looks like it needs floors.
No hole in the roof for Dino’s head. Fake!
The frame supporting the roof right behind the front bench seat was added. The cartoon version didn’t have that support frame there.
That’s because it’s a 4 door. They also added a back seat.
The car had 2 bench seats in the cartoons also.
Cool, I can sit in my Chevrock and listen to the Stones!