Most Iconic TV Cars of the 1960s and 1970s

© Everett Collection© Everett Collection
Kawasaki KZP Motorcycles “CHiPs” (1977–1983)
Another show set under the California sun, “CHiPs” was an action-packed crime drama portraying the lives of two motorcycle cops of the California Highway Patrol (hence CHiPs). The show had two stars: Erik Estrada as macho officer Franck “Ponch” Poncherello and Larry Wilcox as his more straightlaced partner Jon Baker. Although stunt doubles were used for long shots or particularly dangerous maneuvers, Estrada and Wilcox learned to ride the behemoth Kawasaki Z1-P and Z900-C2 (seasons 1 and 2) and Kawasaki KZ1000-C1s (used until the end of the series). Estrada reportedly had a few crashes during filming, suffering multiple minor injuries and a major one during which he broke both wrists and some ribs. Many years later it came to light that Estrada did not actually possess a motorcycle license while filming the series.

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