This 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe was featured in season one of “My Three Sons.” Photos from imcdb.org.

We are counting down the Top 50 hot rods and street cars of all time that have made an appearance in a television series, or a memorable television episode. Starting from #50, and counting down to our #1 pick, follow along with our memories, and see where your favorite show lands.

27. My Three Sons: 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe

When “My Three Sons” first aired in 1960, the 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Coupe featured on season one was nearly 20 years old, and by most accounts considered an out of circulation car. To the hotrodders, and teens in the television sitcom though, it was a prime car to have some fun in. Gee, not much has changed in modern times!

When the series began, the storylines were set in a suburban neighborhood. Headed up by widower and aeronautical engineer Steven Douglas (Fred MacMurray) the show chronicles the life of a single father raising three sons with a lot of help from Uncle Charley (Carl William Demarest): Mike aged 18 (Tim Considine); Robbie, 14 (Don Grady); and 8-year old Chip (Stanley Livingston).

This 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe coupe also made a brief appearance in episode 28.

In September 1965, Mike (who drove the Chevy on our countdown) entered into marriage, and his character was eventually written out of the show as he and his wife started a new life. Since the show was about three sons, Ernie (Barry Livingston) was adopted into the family, and brought a lot of laughs, angst, and boyish innocence to the program.

This unconventional family of males put a spin on the way a traditional family looked, or was accepted in society at the time. Perhaps it was this the hallmark of decency and family bonding – no matter what a family looks like – that resonated with viewers, as its popularity continued through a full 12 seasons on air, making it America’s longest running sitcom.