--- title: "Famous Studebaker From The Muppets Movie Is Being Restored to Its Celluloid Beauty" date: "2024-01-20" modified: "2024-01-20" authors: - name: "Kristin V. Shaw" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kristin-shaw" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/famous-studebaker-from-the-muppets-movie-is-being-restored-to-its-celluloid-beauty" categories: - "News" --- # Famous Studebaker From The Muppets Movie Is Being Restored to Its Celluloid Beauty ![colorful car in a showroom]() *\The Studebaker Museum\* Those who remember seeing *[The Muppet Movie]()* had at least one time in their life when *Movin’ Right Along*—Fozzie Bear’s duet with Kermit the Frog—was a persistent earworm. That one, along with Rowlf the Dog’s *I Hope That Somethin' Better Comes Along* and Kermit’s *The Rainbow Connection* are a few of the most iconic songs in Muppet history. While music takes a front seat in *The Muppet Movie*, it’s clear that producer and Muppet Master Jim Henson was a car guy, too. As evidence: a 1951 [Studebaker]() Commander played a central transportation role in the movie, transforming from a hand-me-down beater from Fozzie’s hibernating uncle to a sweet ride swathed in bright colors. As of this month, the [Studebaker Museum]() in South Bend, Indiana is partnering with [Razorfly Studios]() to restore it to its full-color glory. ![]() *The Studebaker Museum* ![]() *The Studebaker Museum* Faded and dusty after sitting in a Warner Brothers Studio backlot for many years (perhaps hibernating in its own way), the Studebaker Drivers Club’s Orange Empire chapter acquired the iconic car and gifted it to the Museum in 2004. While it has been lovingly cared for by the museum, it deserves a makeover to bring joy to Generation X Muppet fans and anyone in their orbi*t.* [The *South Bend Tribune* reported]() that most of the paint from the movie wore off after years outdoors. And no wonder; museum archivist Andrew Beckman told the paper that the filmmakers had used poster paint on the Studebaker. That wasn’t uncommon for prop cars, because the paint could be washed off, and it didn’t present a reflection issue for the film crew. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6NQcO9KTBY The museum has raised $60,000 for the restoration so far, which is estimated to cost around $175,000. Razorfly, which has created a solid reputation for itself as a custom car builder (they built a recreation of Marty McFly's *Back to the Future* time-traveling DeLorean and *Jurassic Park* Explorer), is partnering with the museum to provide restoration services. This movie was created way before CGI, so the filmmakers used the distinctive “bullet nose” between the headlights to conceal a video camera used by the car operator in the trunk. Fozzie and Kermit’s human operators ducked down under the dashboard, out of sight. As Fozzie drives down the road with Kermit as a passenger, he observes with a happy sigh, *“*A bear in his natural habitat – in a Studebaker.” Me too, Fozzie. Me too. *Got story tips? Send them to tips@thedrive.com.* ## Author Kristin Shaw is the former Weekend Editor for The Drive and a current freelancer in both the automotive and aviation worlds. She’s a big fan of anything car-related and calls on her technology background on the corporate side to explain engineering and high-tech concepts. Now living in her sixth state (New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and now Texas), she is thrilled that working from home is now mainstream. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Instagram]() [Twitter]()