Mannix Toronado: The Least Undercover Cop Car Ever?

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By Martin Buckley Features | 7 May 2020 Classic & Sports Car – Mannix Oldsmobile Toronado: the least undercover cop car ever? Share

A slice of TV cheese typical of its late-1960s origins, Mannix was eight seasons’ worth of crime-busting, tyre-squealing adventure following the proven car-chase/punch-up formula.

Deemed worthy only of insomniacs in the UK, this glossy action series always drew big primetime ratings in the USA, right through to when it was pulled in 1975, despite a general move towards grittier, more realistic ’70s heroes.

Korean War veteran and karate black belt Joe Mannix was an LA-based private eye played by Mike Connors (1925-2017), who by 1967 had appeared in more than 20 films and made hundreds of TV appearances.

With his lopsided smirk, the 42-year-old was a familiar face rather than a household name. It was television that made Connors famous, mainly thanks to Mannix.

Classic & Sports Car – Mannix Oldsmobile Toronado: the least undercover cop car ever?

Featuring one of Lalo Schifrin’s less memorable theme tunes, the series was produced by Lucille Ball’s Desilu Productions and emanated from the same CBS/Bruce Geller stable as Mission Impossible.

In real life, Connors had a weakness for interesting cars and was squiring around Hollywood in a Derby Bentley at the time he was offered the lead in Mannix.

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