Holy smokes, Batman is on TV! Plus a bright red Impala and a garage memory with dad.

Good evening, friends, Jack Reynolds checking in. January 12 always reminds me of 1966, when a certain Caped Crusader swung onto the screen and every kid in the neighborhood started shouting “Pow!” and “Zap!” Stick close for that Rio Red convertible, the kind of car my neighbor washed every single Saturday just to show off the chrome.

Brings it all back, doesn’t it?

On January 12, 1966, Adam West and Burt Ward slid down the Batpoles and brought the Caped Crusader into our living rooms. That first episode started a twice-a-week craze we called “Batmania.” I remember the “Pow!” and “Zap!” bubbles popping right off the screen. Click to remember the Batmobile and the villains we loved to hate.

The 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible in Rio Red was the first year for the nameplate, and it dripped with chrome. It cost about $2,841 new, but today a restored 348 Tri-Power model can command over $150,000. My neighbor washed his every Saturday just to show off those triple taillights. Click for the engine specs and the auction climb.

3 New Names Are Flashing Early Alerts

Our real-time tracking system just lit up with three tickers showing familiar strength.

These setups resemble what we saw in LLAP before its surge — and we’ve compiled the tickers + breakdown into one easy download.

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That neon “Pantorium” sign on the corner of Lima and Sierra Madre Boulevard meant fresh-pressed suits in 1956. Kids parked their bikes at the Toy and Patio Village next door to stare at model kits. Today that corner is quiet, but the style remains. My dad trusted a place just like this. Click to zoom in on the storefronts and the classic signage.

Karl Malden’s serious face and that famous line, “Don’t leave home without them,” made American Express Travelers Cheques essential packing starting in 1975. He fronted the campaign for 21 years, keeping vacations safe from pickpockets. My dad always kept a packet in his top drawer. Click to watch the classic spot and hear the warning.

Erik Estrada ruled the California highways as Officer “Ponch” Poncherello starting in 1977. He earned teen idol fame, but later he swapped the prop badge for a real one, serving as a reserve officer in Idaho to protect children. He says doing the real work means more than the applause. Click to track his path from prime time to patrol.

Tonight’s “Your Memory” comes from Steve in Michigan, remembering a cold garage night in 1967. He held the heavy metal flashlight steady while his dad changed the oil in their station wagon. The air smelled like grease and sawdust. Steve says his dad hummed a tune and never complained about the cold. That is how we learned to work.

Tonight’s Quote comes from Babe Ruth, who said, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” I told my son that very thing before his first Little League at-bat. You have to step up to the plate to get a hit in life. You can learn more about him here. Click to read about the Sultan of Swat.

See you tomorrow. Same time, same station.

– Jack

Images are AI-generated or sourced from public-domain archives. Reader photos used with permission.