The First Car Bob Barker Gave Away On ‘The Price Is Right’ Was One Of The Worst

The Price Is Right holds the record as the longest-running game show in TV history. It initially ran from 1956 to 1965 until its revival in 1972 with new host Bob Barker. The show is known to put smiles on the participants’ faces with high-ticket prizes like vacations and cars — which were not always perfect.

The first car Bob gave away in the “A Chevy Vega” episode was not up to par, despite its appearances on other game shows like Sale Of The Century. The Vega had manufacturing issues, including an aluminum engine susceptible to melting in high heat. The car also had overheating issues with frequently blown engines, made only worse by an automotive strikes taking place at the time of its debut.

Early Vega models were a road risk

Bob Barker on The Price Is Right set, Los Angeles, CA, April 29, 1974.
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Besides the engine faults, the Chevy Vega was not safe to drive as the rear axle shafts were separating, causing the wheels to fall off. Over 500,000 vehicle models were recalled a few times, and again after a fire risk due to the optional two-barrel engine that could potentially split the muffler and release hot exhaust fumes over the fuel tank.

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Topping the already multiplying problems, the front fenders, rocker panels, front suspension, and other parts near the front of the car also rusted quickly. Despite the efforts from the automakers to address these issues, the model jsf already left an imprint on customers, causing GM to stop making the Chevy Vegas in 1977.

‘The Price Is Right’ gave away some incredible prizes

Throughout the game show’s history, lucky winners have gone home with fantastic cars like a C8 Corvette, a Porsche 718 Boxster, a Maserati Levante GT, an Audi e-tron GT, and a BMW 8 Series. The Smithsonian Magazine reports that The Price Is Right gave away over 8,000 cars in the last five decades — the most expensive being an Audi R8 V8 Spyder Quattro S Tronic in 2013.

The lucky winner of the $157,300 was Sheree L. Heli from Washington, who also got $10,000 for guessing quickly. Classics like the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Bronco II, Mazda RX-7 S, and Ferrari 308 also made it to people’s garages in the ’80s.