When Dean Martin rolled up to NBC in 1967 in his rare Ghia, the valet just stared, clearly nervous about parking such an exotic car. Dean noticed and, with his cool grin, said, “Relax, kid. If you scratch it, I’ll just tell everyone Frank Sinatra was driving.”

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122287718936118620&set=a.122206938872118620

ever hear of the '31 Chevy Roadster/'68 Camaro prop for the Dean Martin show on T.V. ? AMT Model co. had a "prototype shop" in Phoenix in the '60s and hired Gene Winfield, Sam Foose, Bill Hines and others to do whatever needed to be done.

 
Dean Martin drove the Camaro on stage singing to a song, the dancers danced around and past the Camaro, and removed quick release panels of the Camaro, exposing the '31 Chevy Roadster. 

The music's tempo changed and suddenly it was a thirties hot jazz type number

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=769824671611462&set=a.277686480825286

https://books.google.com/books?id=W1bfk91NZikC&pg=PA17&lpg=PA17&dq=Dean+Martin+show+camaro&source=bl&ots=Cfh5XjHn7L&sig=ACfU3U0XuChJacz7pC847tpBHSPAiyw2Nw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiosMiS-KaBAxX8mmoFHVMdB3kQ6AF6BAhEEAM#v=onepage&q&f=false

what a celeb line up.... and a Dodge, for Cannonball Run 2

A couple of Dean Martin's cars I haven't posted before

1968 Jaguar XK-E Series 2 convertible, Willow (pea) Green with Biscuit Hides (tan leather interior).

1972 Jaguar XK-E Series 3 Two Plus Two, V12, British Racing Green with Beige interior.

a 1957 Ford Thunderbird (customized).

1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville

1960 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder

1962 Ghia L6.4

1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 (now owned by Jay Leno)

1970 Eldorado station wagon (called the Casa de Eldorado)

1972-Cadillac-Estate-Wagon*

1972 Stutz Blackhawk

1972 Jaguar XKE 2+2 CPE V12

1973 Cadillac Eldorado

1973 Stutz Blackhawk III (1973 production Serial Number 1)

1976 Cadillac Castilian Fleetwood Estate Wagon

1976 Stutz Blackhawk

1981 Packard

1984 Ferrari GTi 400

1986 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible

Dean never had his cars repaired. If they broke down or were in a crash, he simply disposed of them. Especially if they broke down when he was on his way to play golf as did both the 1968 XK-E (he kiddingly told his kids that he got out and shot it - they never saw it again) and the Ferrari Daytona Spyder, which he had had for less than 24 hours.

 His son Ricci had sourced the used car, which Dean had wanted very much, through Ricci's mechanic, the morning after it was delivered Dean jumped in to go play golf and half-way to the links the Ferrari stopped dead. Dean calmly called Ricci and had the car returned to the seller, although he let the mechanic keep his commission.

The Aston Martin was wrecked when the house man was moving it for Dean, but hit the gas instead of the brake and crashed it into a tree on the Martin estate.

Thanks Steve!

For the one's I've posted in the past:  http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/05/dean-martins-cars-quite-variety.html

Who the hell was Peter Epsteen, and how'd he get Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr to sing commercials for him? A Chicago/Palm Springs Pontiac car dealership owner with friends in the Mob

Why do you think? Three little letters. M.O.B.

Most of the references on the Web claim that Sinatra did the gig for Sam Giancana, boss of bosses in Chicago from the late `50s to the mid-60s, a friend - if friend is the right word - of Sinatra's since 1958, and the person who Sinatra acted as the front for in his buy into a piece of the action of the Cal/Neva Casino in Lake Tahoe.

However, it's more likely that the favor was asked by one of the Fischetti brothers, Rocco, Charlie, and Joe. Charlie Fischetti was the Mob's political fixer in Chicago, and a friend of Sinatra's since the early `40s. Sinatra, nice guy that he was, used to go along with Charlie when he visited his mother in Brooklyn. Charlie died in 1951, but Sinatra and Joe Fischetti were also close friends. He took a trip to Cuba with the brothers in 1946, the so-called "Havana Summit" held by Lucky Luciano, a trip that would haunt Sinatra for the rest of his career.

Mr. Sam Giancana : My Life with Frank Sinatra By George Jacobs, William Stadiem

So, Pete Epsteen. What do we know about him? The Sacramento Bee newspaper once published a story entitled, "Palm Springs - Where Stars, Pols - and Mobsters - Live in Style." Although not mentioned in the article, Pete Epsteen was referred to in a photo caption as "an automobile dealer financed by the Mafia."

Represented by Sinatra's attorney, Mickey Rudin, Epsteen filed a $6 million libel suit against the newspaper. He denied any affiliation with the Mafia and demanded a retraction. The Sacramento Bee published a story reporting Epsteen's denial but did not retract the charge.

According to a Google Search, Epsteen divorced his wife in the `70s, moved to California, and opened a Honda dealership. In 1995 he was prosecuted for his role in a kickback scheme in which dealers in 30 states gave executives of American Honda up to $15 million in cash and gifts in exchange for hot-selling cars and franchises. He was also convicted of perjury in the case, fined $200,000, and sentenced to six months in prison. He died in 1997, in Palm Springs, California.

Peter Epsteen Pontiac was the largest-volume Pontiac dealership in the country in the 1960s. You wouldn't have known it looking at the dealership's tiny showroom in Skokie, Ill., a stone's throw north of Chicago. I believe it held just one car.

But when it came to throwing a party for unveiling the all-new 1965 Pontiacs, no one could match Epsteen's extravagance and talent for revving up the crowd and selling Pontiacs.

http://www.dreamtimepodcast.com/2006/08/all-mobbed-up.html

The whole rickety dealership franchise system is a dusty marketing vestige of an era when there were 200 American car manufacturers, each eagerly trying to ply their newfangled horseless carriages.

In the 1920s storefront after storefront of hawkers of Reos, Packards, Stutz Bearcats, Mercers, Oldmobiles, Fords and the like fought to sell cars.

As the dealership system boiled down, it ended up being a cash cow for the con-men left standing who used their government clout to safeguard their privileged market status.

No wonder organized crime began to move into the auto dealership game in Chicago during the 50s and 60s.

http://chicagolampoon.blogspot.com/2009/05/car-dealerships-slashed-good-riddance.html

Crypt 33: The Saga of Marilyn Monroe: The Last Word By Adela Gregory, Milo Speriglio

and Peter Epsteen Pontiac sold a prototype Bonneville convertible, which ended up in Eagle River Wisconsin (fishing lake resort town on the famous chain of lakes where I spent a summer working at a resort the summer before my high school senior year)

It had a '58 front end mated to a '57 tail. "And it's a special model, too," the car rebuilder insisted. "A Bonneville, or something like that, with fuel injection straight from the factory."

http://pontiacserver.freeservers.com/hpp575bon1.html

Paul Joseph was the President and Master Salesman of Peter Epsteen Pontiac in Chicago, IL from the time he graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in business after distinguished service and discharge from the Army in 1941-45 until 1972

He was injured in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart and Silver Star for his efforts.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/scottsdale-az/paul-joseph-7773572

Bud Ekins (famous Hollywood stunt double for Steve McQueen), had a Triumph dealership and made a bike for Dean Martin, who wasn't allowed to ride it due to his movie contract, so he gave it to his neighbor

Cycle World Magazine Jan-Jun 1992

Vespa and Lambretta

above, the 1960 Olympics in Rome

A family traveling across the world in their Lambretta in the 1950s, here they were in Mumbai India

going to, or coming back from a tour of Africa

Joe Dimaggio

Dean Martin in Italy

Found on http://doyoulikevintage.tumblr.com/page/36

Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, just released on DVD in time to give for Xmas presents!

I start with Jimmy Stewart and Ruth Buzzy. If you've seen Ruth at work, you'll know why, if you haven't you are in for a great experience.... Ruth was one of the funniest in comedy in my opinion, her jokes were the best, and her shtick was funny too

I've always loved the Honeymooners, because the interactive humor between Art and Jackie was so superb

Evel Knievel, a Bronco, and a tractor too? Yup, among the incredible list of Hollywood legendary stars he had Evel on a panel, and the below clip from his (Dean's) show

Now, Don Rickles plays a big part in every roast, and that incredible "drunk" performer Foster Brooks did a great job every time. Some of the legends that are featured are Johnny Carson, John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr, George Burns and Bob Hope are in several, Jack Benny and Milton Berle are in several as well, Jimmy Stewart surprised me that he is in so many.


Disc One: Bob Hope and Johnny Carson
 Disc Two: Jimmy Stewart and Sammy Davis Jr.
Disc Three: Jack Benny and Lucille Ball
Disc Four: Dean Martin and Kirk Douglas
Disc Five: Michael Landon and Jackie Gleason
 Disc Six: Don Rickles and Joan Collins

There are several extras, featurettes and interviews also.

Right now I'm posting because of Star Vista's 6 dvd set, http://www.amazon.com/Dean-Martin-Celebrity-Roast-Collectors-Edition/dp/B00D2UMI9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385932304&sr=8-1&keywords=roast+of+dean+martin

for more info: http://timelife.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc-search&utm_campaign=Y11GGSBGTL&utm_term=www%20%2Bstar%20%2Bvista

Frank Sinatra as a advertising company exec with a car ad campaign, "Marriage on the Rocks" with Dean Martin

Start at minute 2:00 for the above

I'm blushing, and thrilled to get the compliment of the month from Dino Martin Peters, one hell of a swell guy, and Dean Martin fan

A Dino-ride From Pallie Jesse Hey pallies, likes our Dino knew it better then any other dude....the immense and immeasurable swankness of bein' able to tag 'nother man as "pallie." While all us Dino-philes know that our great man never ever needed anyone or anythin' besides himself in his life, our most beloved Dino enjoyed the pure pleasure of havin' fun times with his best pallies like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. And mere mortals likes ourselves are the same.

 Today, I want to salute a great pallie o'mine that I have met through his Dino-devotion here on the ol' web. His tag is Jesse, and he is a dude who primarily hangs his hat at his all-thin's-car pad, "Just A Car Guy." Likes if you clicks on the link to this Dino-gram you will be welcomed into Jesse's world. Jesse is located in San Diego, California and lists as his occupation: full time jobs, full time hobby, part time blogging.

 In addition to his huge huge passion for cars, Jesse is a great devotee of our man Dino and he graciously and generously often sends me fabulous Dino-treasure just to make sure that I have seen it before. And, sometimes Jesse shares Dino-related car posts at his amazin' blog...and, of course, in turn I share 'em with all your Dino-holicsas well.

 When I opened my email today, there was some Dino-patter from my pallie Jesse includin' an amazin' pix of our Dino on a ride that I have never ever seen before. And, Jesse shared these most kind and gracious words of Dino-appreciato....."keep doing what you do, cause you do it so well!" ilovedinomatin expresses our deepest of deepest thanks to pallie Jesse for showin' such constant devotion to our Dino and the ilovedinomatin cause of spreadin' the Dino-word."

 So dudes, enjoy the fabulous Dino-pose below courtesy of the best sort of pallie any Dino-devotee coulda have....Jesse! Dino-delightedly, DMP

http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-dino-ride-from-pallie-jesse.html for the post, and http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/ for all things that Dean Martin has done, been photographed at, or has been known for. 

Some people have things to do, some have things to say, some have things to share... Dean Martin Peters has Dino-appreciato for all things Dean Martin. Cool guy!

As Dean Martin said at the end of this clip, "Thanks to you for looking in, so until next week, you be careful drvin' ... 'cause there's a shortage of nice people in the world."

Dean Martin and Joey Heatherton on tricycles

http://ridesabike.tumblr.com/ great website

I found a single exquisite photo per post website, not much to read, and just one photo per topic, but I think you'll like it as much as I do

Dean Martin in his late 1960's movies about a secret agent, "Matt Helm" on a Lambretta Cento

A Lola

Jimmy Hendrix

Catherine Deneuve and Morgan plus 4

 Ferrari 458 Italia

Dmitry Ivanov  photography

1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica

1947 Bentley Mark VI Cabriolet with custom coachwork by Franay

Take a look for yourself, http://driven.urbandaddy.com/ but be patient with the slow upload, and make it take less time by not clicking to load more, instead, load page by page like this http://driven.urbandaddy.com/page/24/ then change the last digit by the next larger number http://driven.urbandaddy.com/page/25

Why hasn't anyone done this with their Tbird? From the movie "Murderers Row" a Matt Helm movie with Dean Martin (sort of a Bond similar role)

Just putting an LED message board in the place of the tail lights, clever!

Dean Martin's cars, quite a variety

1984 400 GTi   (thanks Steve!)

For a gallery of photos of this 67 Ferrari 412 P http://flaviendachet.blogspot.com/2010/10/67-ferrari-412-p.html

According to http://www.dexigner.com/product/news-g12107.html Dean Jrowned one of these 1967 Ferrari 412P on exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum. This is collborated by a commercial on the HDtht channel, which gives the following info: raced by the Belgium team Ecurie Francorchamps, owned by Harry Yeaggy, and was featured in the Cincinnati Art Museum from Nov 2007 to Jan 2008 http://www.designtaxi.com/news.php?id=13507
Also, just found a collaboration http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/oh/story/entertainment/events/2007/12/26/fe122707calendar.html
Exhibit of the 1967 412P Ferrari. On loan from Harry Yeaggy, car has been owned by Hollywood movie mogul, John Calley and actor James Coburn, as well as Dean Martin Jr. and Cincinnati's own Carl Lindner. Through Jan. 6. Cincinnati Art Museum.
http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/Absolutenm/templates/ArtTempExhibitions.aspx?articleid=590&zoneid=78

the Facel Vega I posted about last year http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/03/dean-martin-and-facel-vega.html

a 1976 Stutz Blackhawk

from what I could learn in searching the internet, Dean owned this Ghia L 6.4,
a 1967 De Tomaso Mangusta Fantuzzi Targa,
a 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC,
 and a 1972 Cadillac station wagon: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/03/1972-cadillac-station-wagon-1-of-2-made.html

Steve was looking around and found:

1957 Ford Thunderbird (customized).
1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville
1960 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder
 1962 Ghia L6.4
 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 (now owned by Jay Leno)
 1970 Eldorado station wagon (called the Casa de Eldorado)
 1972-Cadillac-Estate-Wagon*
 1972 Stutz Blackhawk
 1972 Jaguar XKE 2+2 CPE V12

https://aurorasginjoint.com/2016/02/12/friday-foto-follies-stars-and-cars/#jp-carousel-34034

1973 Cadillac Eldorado
 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III (1973 production Serial Number 1)
 1976 Cadillac Castilian Fleetwood Estate Wagon
 1976 Stutz Blackhawk
 1981 Packard
 1984 Ferrari GTi 400
 1986 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible

If you loved Dean Martin, and want to check out a really cool laid back blog about him, his movies, some stills, and some video clips, ya gotta go see http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/

Dean Martin and a Facel Vega

Facel Vega was a French builder of luxury cars. Their advertising slogan was "For the Few Who Own the Finest". French design with American drivetrains that peaked at 392 cu in hemi engines and a 727 Torqueflite in the Facel Vega II of 1961.

Owners include Pablo Picasso, Ava Gardner, Ringo Starr, Joan Fontaine, Stirling Moss, Tony Curtis, and several Saudi princes. Race-car driver Stirling Moss would drive his HK500 from event to event rather than fly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facel_Vega

"In the annals of all that is car, certain vehicles stand out. Others tend to leap. A very select group however, reaches right into your chest, squeezes you around the heart and won't ever let go." Jalopnik

1972 Cadillac Station Wagon, 1 of 2 Made, 1 for Elvis, one for Dean Martin

Elvis's Cadillac station wagon (VIN 6D49R2Q163176) is cream with a black vinyl top, leather interior and has a small gold plaque on the passenger side door engraved with "TCB." It was auctioned by Guernseys on October 7th-8th 1999 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas for $34,500. It has four regular doors and the fifth door on the back opens two different ways.

The car actually started its life as a 1972 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan that was shipped from the factory in Detroit to the American Sunroof Company where it was converted in to an Estate Wagon.

http://elviscadillacs.tripod.com/ and http://www.classyauto.com/v/Cadillac+Custom/Elvis+Presley+ Via: http://stipistop.com/

Thanks to Jalopnik, I just learned that while the provenance needs verification, one of five custom 1969 Cadillac wagons used to transport VIPs at the Indianapolis 500 has turned up in Putnam NY via Ebay.

http://jalopnik.com/#!5792164/buy-this-custom-cadillac-wagon-in-british-racing-green/gallery/1

Reportedly, all five of the custom-built Indianapolis 500 cars were eventually sold by a Cadillac dealer in Dallas. Apparently it cost as much as a fully-loaded Corvette Stingray of the time ($6,500) just for the conversion.