There were a few TV series that emerged from the 1960s to become media icons. However, one of the most instantly recognizable was The Munsters. The series revolved around a family who occupied their home at 1313 Mockingbird Lane in the fictional city of Mockingbird Heights. They were an eclectic bunch of individuals, and in a shining two-year period, seventy episodes made it to air before CBS canceled the series. Today, memorabilia from the show can command impressive values, and a massive collection has just hit the internet in an online auction. It seems that there’s something for everyone, and you will find the entire collection listed for sale here at Heritage Auctions.
As well as interesting characters, one of the key attributes of the TV series was that it delivered two unique vehicles for the viewing audience and motoring enthusiasts to admire. One of these was The Munster Koach. The car was a gift from Lily to her husband Herman and combined a Ford Model T hotrod with the body of a hearse. The car was the creation of the legendary George Barris. This car still exists, but it isn’t part of this auction. However, potential buyers could purchase the acrylic painting shown in the first photo. This is the original painting that Whitman Books utilized as cover art. It found its way onto the box of a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle (No. 4634), and while a mint puzzle will cost around $200, this original, framed artwork has already reached $6,250.
It is hard to decide which member of The Munsters was the most eccentric, but Grandpa had to be close to the top. Played by the late Al Lewis, he was Lily’s father and an aging vampire. Grandpa’s favorite seat in the family home in Mockingbird Lane was his wooden vintage electric chair. It was seen many times throughout the series, and the original from the TV set is part of the auction. It remains in excellent condition, and while Heritage Auctions has set this iconic piece to open at $10,000, there have been no bids to this point.
If all of these items have been too rich for your blood to this point, there are a few more affordable items to consider. While The Munster Koach was instantly recognizable, the other main car that appeared during the production run was “built” by Grandpa, and it carried the name DRAG-U-LA. Once again, this was a creation of George Barris and his staff. Powered by a 289ci Ford V8, it first appeared in the episode “Hot Rod Herman.” After years on display in a Planet Hollywood restaurant, it is fitting that this classic now nestles next to the original Munster Koach in a private collection. Listed in this auction are a pair of 1:18 diecast replicas. The DRAG-U-LA model is unboxed, but the Koach comes in its original box. George Barris has signed both the box and the Koach roof. Bidding on the pair currently sits at $500.
I’m not sure whether this is the most extensive collection of Munsters memorabilia that has found its way onto the auction blocks, but at 110 items, it has to be close to the top. There seems to be something for everyone, and I found it challenging to decide what to pick for this article. Items like these should only appreciate in the coming years if the buyer preserves them. I admit that I was more of a fan of The Addams Family than The Munsters. However, there are items in this auction that I would be happy to own. Why not take a look at the auction and tell us what you would want in the comments below.
Outstanding write up Adam! I almost claimed this one yesterday but I’m glad I didn’t, as you did such a good job describing this unusual auction of Munsters memorabilia. If I wasn’t married I’d have to bid on that electric chair and the electrical switch plate, but if I bought them I might end up being single again…..
Great story, but the Munsters’ Dragula is going to be sold at auction.
https://barnfinds.com/munster-mobile-1964-dragula/
MeTV is showing the Munster movie this Sat. on Svengoolie.
How do you get to be an “aging vampire”?
How about aged vampire!?! One who got a late start at being a vampire! ;; }}
I’ve never been much of a fan of Barris’ creations, but I’ve always loved the Munsters Coach. Back in the 60’s AMT made very nice model kits of both the Munsters Coach and Drag-U-La. Over the years they’ve been re-released a few times, usually as a boxed set of both cars, sometimes as the Munsters and once as the Ghoul Duo, I guess to avoid paying royalties.
At one time, the (now long gone) Planet Hollywood in Atlantic City had the Drag-U-La, or a replica of it, hanging from the ceiling.
@ Martin Horrocks:
Hilarious response!
Very droll, Sir. Very droll indeed.
RB
I was about 13 during this shows heyday and I still thought it was pretty terrible.
Munster Go Home was on COZI TV last night as well. I still
recall seeing it at our local drive-in in ’65 or ’66. But let’s not
forget the ’39 Cadillac V-16 formal sedan that was used in the
early part of the series. This car was overshadowed by the
Koach and the Drag-U-La and a lot of the viewers tend to miss
it. But being a very young motorhead, I asked my father what it
was and he told me. After that, he took me to one of his friends
who happened to own that very same car. Must’ve driven him
nuts talking about it after seeing it and then being taken for a
ride in it! Not long after that, I got my hands dirty for the first
time helping him and a friend rebuild a Lincoln V-12 that needed
an extensive overhaul. That’s when the car bug bit and bit hard.
Had a lot of fun in the hobby too– back when a guy like me
could afford it.
The Drag U La that is being sold at mecums next year is a copy not the original. The body is a fiberglass copy and the real one was a real coffin. When Barris built the car he had to make a deal with the mortuary to get the coffin on the sly. Back then is was again the law to buy a coffin without a death certificate.
The Drag U La that is being sold at mecums next year is a copy not the original. The body is a fiberglass copy and the real one was a real coffin. When Barris built the car he had to make a deal with the mortuary to get the coffin on the sly. Back then is was against the law to buy a coffin without a death certificate.
Munsters and Addams Family: While the Addams’s were weird and strange, they knew they were, and seemed to revel in it. What made the Munsters more endearing to me is that they didn’t understand they were weird; they thought they were normal, leading to much of the humor. Easier to feel at home with them too (especially for an 8 year old!).
Grandpa: “Herman, you don’t have the sense to come in out of the rain!” Herman: “Sure I do Grandpa……uh, I’ve done it lots of times.”
Still makes me smile! Any other favorites out there?
Many years ago I bought a small farm in Taneytown, MD. Found out the farm directly across from us was owned by Fred & Betty Gwynne [and yes, his real last name had an “e” at the end. Fred was born & raised in the Westminster, MD area, and retired to the northern end of the county.
Their farm was at the end of our private 1/2 mile road, as they [like my ex wife and I] wanted privacy. We never met him, but I did have some brief discussions with his wife Betty. He died not long after we moved in, and she sold the farm a few months later to family friends.