Leave It to Beaver (1957–1963): Season 6, Episode 16 - Wally Buys a Car - full transcript
Wally has saved up $180 to buy a car. The one he has his eyes set on is through a boy about his age named Frank, that car which Lumpy, the "expert", says is a "bomb", and which Frank is selling for $220. Wally realizes that he is going to need the approval of his parents before he can buy it. He and Beaver are surprised at the nature of the resulting discussion with their father, who had long ago anticipated such a day and as such prepared himself for what he was going to say. Ward provides his approval on several conditions including having final say on the actual car. But in that discussion, Wally learns that he hadn't even considered all operating costs, the most important and largest component being insurance, which he learns is almost as expensive as the car itself. After discussion with June, Ward agrees to add his further support of chipping in for the insurance. Through the process of dealing with Frank and other care sellers, Wally learns a lesson in the art of buying and selling used cars.
Starring...
and...
What do you think of it, Eddie?
Boy, isn't it a dreamboat?
Say, how much you asking for it?
- Two-twenty.
- $220?
Boy, if the cops
hear about this,
they'll throw you in
jail for highway robbery.
Look, that's my price.
If you're interested,
okay. If not, forget it.
What did you go
and say that for?
You're going to kill the deal.
You gotta know how
to handle these guys.
Look, offer him a
hundred and a half.
He'll grab it.
Go ahead. Go ahead.
Uh, Frank?
You wouldn't think about
taking 150, would you?
Hold it. Hold it. Hold it.
I was just kidding.
Take it easy, bud.
Tell you what my
friend is going to do.
Look, Eddie, just
keep out of it, will you?
Look, Frank, I think I
can go for around 220,
but could I give you a
$5.00 deposit to hold it?
Yeah, I guess so.
You got my phone number?
Yeah, I'll call you.
Well, what seems to
be the problem anyway?
I've got to get my father's
permission to buy it.
Hm. Well, I feel for you, kid.
I know what I went through
to get my father's permission.
Hi, Wally.
What?
Oh, hi, Beav.
What are you doing?
I'm just making a list.
What kind of a list?
The pros and cons
of buying a car.
- What are they?
- You know,
the for and against.
What do you have so far?
Well, number 1... I
have $180 saved up,
so I can pay for the car myself.
Number 2...
I could take Beaver to
school and save the bus fare.
Number 3...
I could take the other kids
to school and charge them.
Number 4...
Wally? What do you
have in the other column?
That's one of the problems.
See, I haven't been able
to think of a single reason
why I shouldn't have a car.
Just wait till you talk to Dad.
He'll think of a
million reasons.
Yeah.
That's a pretty big list.
I don't think Dad
will turn you down.
You don't think so?
No.
With all those reasons,
you could talk me into letting
you have a car real easy.
Hi, Eddie.
Hi, Sam Benedict,
what's the verdict?
What do you mean?
Is the warden gonna
let you have wheels?
Huh?
Is your father going
to let him buy the car?
If you need a translation,
why don't you go to the U.N.?
I haven't even
told my father yet.
Chickened out, huh?
No, it's just that I haven't figured
out a way to break it to him yet.
What do you mean,
break it to him?
If it was my pop,
I'd just buy the car
and put it in the garage.
Then when he got home from work,
it would be there.
If that's the way you do it,
how come you don't have
a car of your own, Eddie?
Well, I would have,
but I'm saving up
to buy a Ferrari.
I thought I might bring it
up to Dad at dinnertime.
Yeah, that's always a good
time to sneak up on him.
The only thing is I don't know
exactly how to bring it up to him.
Well, easy. Just wait till the
conversation gets around to cars.
But what if the conversation
doesn't get around to cars?
Look, squirt,
don't you know you
can slide into any subject
from any other subject?
How can you do that?
I'll show you.
Name a subject, any subject.
Geometry.
Geometry. Well...
Oh, cut it out, wise
guy. That's too hard.
Anyway, nobody's going
to talk about geometry
at dinner.
Sure, Beav,
why would anybody
bring up geometry?
Something on your mind, Wally?
Who, me?
Oh, gee, no, I...
I was just thinking about
my homework, I guess.
Well, that's fine.
I hope to see an improvement
in those grades this month,
especially geometry.
Geometry?
There goes the ballgame.
What did you say, Beaver?
Oh, nothing, Mom.
Dad, do they use geometry
in making automobiles?
Well, Beaver, I guess
they use geometry
in every kind of engineering.
There you are, Wally. Go ahead.
Go ahead with what?
Oh, nothing.
Well, the thing is, uh, Dad,
- I put a deposit down
on a car today.
- You did what?
Wally, you're not really
thinking of buying a car.
Well, sure.
I've got my own license now,
and I can't be borrowing
your car all the time.
I figured if I had my own car,
it would save us a
whole lot of money.
How would it save us money?
Well, I could take
Beaver to school,
and that would save
the school-bus fare.
Maybe so, Wally,
but I hardly think it
would save enough
to pay for running a car.
And I could... I could take
Beaver's friends to school
and charge them.
And, Dad, I just
thought of something.
Sometime your car might
break down on a Sunday.
Well, Beaver, I'll
admit the possibility,
but why is it so horrifying?
Gee, Dad, don't you see?
Then we couldn't get to church.
You wouldn't want us to
miss church, would you?
Now, son, don't you
think it's a little unfair
to bring up the religious
issue in this campaign?
Wally, I can think of
all kinds of reasons
why you shouldn't have a car.
Gee, Mom, Dad's
supposed to do that.
Son, this is a question
I'm not exactly unprepared for,
and it's a very serious one,
but if you've saved the money
and if your schoolwork
doesn't suffer,
I guess you can spend the
money on a car if you like.
Oh, gee, Dad,
that would be great.
Boy, Wally, I never thought
you'd get from geometry
to Dad saying
yes in such a hurry.
Now, just a minute.
Not so fast here.
First of all, I want to see
this car you intend to buy.
Gee, Dad, it's a real neat car.
Even Lumpy checked
it out. It's a bomb.
Good heavens, what's a bomb?
It's just an expression
for a great car.
Regardless of Lumpy's diagnosis,
I still want to see
the car, and secondly,
do you have any idea how
much insurance is going to cost?
In... Insurance?
Well, I... I kind of
forgot about that.
You could call Ted Henderson,
my insurance man, tonight
and find out about
it if you'd like.
Yeah, okay, I'll...
I'll call him tonight.
Could we be excused now?
Yeah, I guess so.
You know, Wally?
On that list of yours
you should have had less
pros and a couple more cons.
Ward, I know Wally's growing up.
I just don't like the idea
of him having a car.
Well, dear, he has a license,
and he's old enough.
Can't expect
time to stand still.
No, I just don't like
the idea of it rushing past me
in a $180 bomb.
Comprehensive?
Yes, sir.
Fire and theft.
Liability.
That's both personal
injury and property damage.
Well, whichever
one's the cheapest.
You, uh... You got
to have both, huh?
Collision?
Oh, you don't have to have that?
Okay, thank you very
much, Mr. Henderson.
I'll call you back
when I decide on a car.
What's wrong, Wally?
The insurance.
You know, it's going to cost
me almost as much as the car
just for one year.
Gosh, Wally,
it looks like you won't
be able to buy a car
until you're an old man.
What do you mean?
Well, it took you 17 years
to save up $180 for the car.
By the time you save up the
money for the insurance, you'll be 33.
Hey, Wally,
I just thought of another reason
why you should have a car.
Yeah, well, thanks anyway, Beav,
but I've already
got enough reasons.
What I'm short of now is money.
Oh, hi, Wally.
Hi, Dad.
I just wanted to find out if
you'd called the insurance man.
Yeah, I called him all right.
And?
And I hope I don't
have any trouble
getting my $5 deposit back.
Oh, you found that insurance
was quite expensive, huh?
Yeah, Dad, with buying the car and paying
for the insurance and the license plates,
Wally would still be losing money
if he just kept the car in the garage.
Well, Wally, I know
this is a big undertaking,
and I've talked it
over with your mother,
and I'm willing to help
you with the insurance
and the license, under
certain conditions.
Gee, Dad, what conditions?
First of all, as I said before,
that you keep your
grades up at school.
Second, that you show
enough responsibility
to handle a car.
And finally, that I
approve of this car
that you've put the deposit on.
- But, Dad...
- I know. I know.
Lumpy checked it out
and said it was a bomb,
but I'm not going to have
you throw your money away
on a car that'll bring you
nothing but a lot of headaches
and won't be safe to drive.
Now, that all right with you?
Gee, Dad, what can he do?
He's stuck.
Do you feel that way, Wally?
Heck, no, Dad.
If this is being stuck, it's
a great way to be stuck.
Okay. Good night.
Thanks, Dad.
Gosh, how long does it
take to buy a car anyways?
I don't know, Beaver,
but I'd say it would take a
good bit longer than 15 minutes.
Fifteen minutes?
Is that how long
they've been gone?
Seems more like two hours.
Beaver, you seem awfully
anxious for Wally to get a car.
Yeah, I figure every time Wally
gets to do something neat like this,
he's sort of breaking the
ice for me when I get older.
Oh, is that the way it works?
Sure, like when Wally talked Dad
into having his own electric razor
or going camping overnight
and all that grownup stuff.
I figure he's kind of
running interference for me.
Well, Beaver, I'm afraid it's going to
be a long time before you're driving.
Oh, no, Mom,
it'll only be four
years and 36 days.
Sure... Sure is a
beauty, huh, Dad?
Yeah, it looks all right.
Believe me, Mr. Cleaver,
I've never had a
bit of trouble with it.
There just isn't a
better car on the road.
I see.
May I ask why you're selling it?
Oh, well, um, I'm
buying another car.
Oh.
Seems sort of a shame to
give up the best car on the road.
Hey, Dad, what are you doing?
I'm just checking the
steering wheel for excess play.
Oh, yeah.
Well, the springs aren't
in too good a shape.
Gosh, Dad. Don't say that.
You'll embarrass the guy.
Rubber's in pretty good shape.
Uh, yeah, it's not bad.
Uh, would you
mind starting it up?
Oh, uh, you want
me to start it up?
Why, yeah, I'd like
to listen to the valves
and... oh, watch
the exhaust for oil,
check the windshield wipers,
taillights, headlights,
that sort of thing.
Boy, Dad, how do you know
so much about buying a car?
Wally, you know, they did
have cars when I was a boy.
Used cars?
Yes, son, strange
as it may seem,
the invention of the automobile
did predate my boyhood.
Yeah, sure, Dad.
It always smokes a
little when it's cold.
Yeah, Dad, they always
smoke a little when they're cold.
That's quite a valve clatter.
Oh, that quiets down
when it warms up.
Yeah, Dad, that quiets
down when it warms up.
Hey, Frank, rev it
up for him a little.
Well, here's your
deposit back, Wally.
Oh, thanks a lot.
I'm sorry, son, but I think we
better look at a few other cars first.
That's okay.
Maybe I can sell it to some
kid whose father's out of town.
Ah, good afternoon, sir.
Good afternoon.
Nice, clean little
car there, isn't it?
It is?
Oh, I don't think you
can go wrong on this one.
For $150 you can
turn it over real quick
for a $50 profit.
A profit?
You are a dealer, aren't you?
A car dealer?
Oh, I'm afraid not.
Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry.
I was sure you were a dealer,
and I quoted you
the trade price.
Well, what's done is done.
That is the price
that I quoted you,
and that is the price
it's going to have to be.
Hey, gosh, Dad,
do you think that...
Wally, we'll talk
about it later.
We'll think it over. We want
to look around a little first.
Whatever you say,
sir, but believe you me,
you're passing
up the buy of the...
I said we'd think it over.
Gee wiz, Dad,
if the guy made
a mistake, why...
Wally, he didn't
make any mistake.
The whole thing was an act,
staged for our benefit.
Gee, no fooling?
Sure, it's the oldest
trick in the world.
Yeah, but look.
The sign over there says that all
cars are guaranteed for 30 days.
Yeah, but what I'd like to
see is a sign guaranteeing
that he'll still be in
business in 30 days.
Come on.
Tail lights.
Now hit the brakes.
Boy, she sure runs
smooth, doesn't she, Dad?
Well, as we used to
say when I was a boy,
she's not much for pretty,
but she sure gets the job done.
Well, how did it go?
Oh, great, Mr. Nelson.
Boy, couldn't find a
thing wrong with it.
Well, don't try to kid me
about my own cars, young man.
There's plenty
wrong with this car.
Needs new paint, new upholstery,
and the radio doesn't work.
Well, I'll tell you something.
The thing I care most about
is the safety of the car.
I know exactly what
you mean, Mr. Cleaver.
Got a son myself, and
he's about this boy's age,
and I certainly wouldn't
want him driving around
in a dangerous car.
Oh, Jack.
Say, Dad, you think this
guy's putting on a big act, too?
Well, we'll know
in a minute, Wally.
Would you object to my
mechanic checking the car over?
Not at all.
In fact I'll go you one better.
You drive this car for a week,
and if you find something wrong,
you bring it back
and exchange it
for anything else
you like on the lot.
Mom! Hey, Mom!
Is something wrong, Beaver?
I think I hear them.
No, I guess not.
Beaver, look. Wally is
going to drive up in a $180 car
and when he does, you
won't think you hear him.
I have a feeling you're
going to know for sure.
Mom, it's them. It's them.
So, I hear.
Boy, she sure runs
smooth, doesn't she?
Yeah, fine.
Well, Wally, I
guess this is the spot
where I should
give you the lecture
on the responsibility
of owning a car.
- Yeah.
- But I'm not going to.
I think you already know
everything I might say,
and I'm going to
pay you the respect
of trusting you to know
your responsibilities.
Golly, Dad, you
don't have to worry.
I passed my driver's
test almost perfect.
Yeah, I know, Wally,
but sometimes a
father's standards
are even higher than those of
the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Well, Beav, how do you like it?
Boy, Wally, it's really neat.
What do you think of it, Mom?
Well, neat's hardly the
word I'd use to describe it.
Dear, I wish you'd show
a little more enthusiasm.
He's very proud of the car,
and if you'd make
a little fuss over it,
he'd be twice as proud.
Ward, do you think it's safe?
I had a mechanic check it over,
and as far as the
safety points go,
it's in good shape.
No kidding, Mom,
do you really like it?
Oh, Wally, I think
it's a beautiful car.
Thanks.
Oh, say, Dad, you
mind if I use the hose?
The hose? What for?
Well, I thought
I'd wash the car.
Well, Wally, I don't know
whether you're going to have time.
Remember, we're all
going out to dinner tonight.
I know. That's what I meant.
I mean, why couldn't we all
go out to dinner in my car?
Hey, that's a neat
idea. Isn't it, Mom?
Oh, well, I thought... Yes, Mom?
Uh, what I mean is I think it
would be a very good idea.
Fine. Come on, dear.
We better get dressed.
Gee, look, Wally. There's
two spare tires in here.
Hey, no fooling?
Yeah. Now alls you need
is a wheel to put them on.
Well, we're all set.
Good. You and
Mom can ride in back,
and Beaver and
I will ride up front.
Hm, just like having
our own chauffer.
Oh, yeah, that's one of
those things we've got to fix.
It only opens from the inside.
Thank you.
Dear.
Oh, well, I'll get seat covers
as soon as I save up some money.
Like... Like Dad says,
the car runs just as good
with the back window up.
My, my,
and I thought Mr. Cleaver was
doing so well with that company.
Smooth like a jet, huh, Mom?
What did you say, Wally?
I said...
A little tune-up will
fix that engine noise.
Ward, something keeps
poking me in the back.
I know. Something's
poking me, too.
It's the springs.
They're coming
through the upholstery,
but don't say anything.
Hope I can keep from saying
something till we get to the restaurant.
Boy, that sure
was a neat dinner.
Thanks for letting me
have your desert, Mom.
- Mm-hm.
- Hey, Mom, did you really
like riding in my car?
I noticed in the mirror you had
kind of a funny
expression on your face.
Oh, honey, that's just because
I'm used to riding in the front seat.
You know, Wally, I think
maybe we could tie down
some of those springs
in the back seat.
That restaurant must've
been pretty crowded.
The parking lot
guy put Wally's car
way back in the alley.
Yeah, but wait till I
get the seats fixed
and a new paint job.
I bet he parks it
right out in front.
Come on, Beav.
Say, Dad.
I know for $180 you can't get
the greatest car in the world,
but, boy, I sure appreciate it.
Well, thank you.
That's fine, Wally.
And, boy, if you hadn't
gone along with me,
I could've really been taken.
It really meant a lot to me.
Well, it means a lot to
me to have you say that.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA
and...
What do you think of it, Eddie?
Boy, isn't it a dreamboat?
Say, how much you asking for it?
- Two-twenty.
- $220?
Boy, if the cops
hear about this,
they'll throw you in
jail for highway robbery.
Look, that's my price.
If you're interested,
okay. If not, forget it.
What did you go
and say that for?
You're going to kill the deal.
You gotta know how
to handle these guys.
Look, offer him a
hundred and a half.
He'll grab it.
Go ahead. Go ahead.
Uh, Frank?
You wouldn't think about
taking 150, would you?
Hold it. Hold it. Hold it.
I was just kidding.
Take it easy, bud.
Tell you what my
friend is going to do.
Look, Eddie, just
keep out of it, will you?
Look, Frank, I think I
can go for around 220,
but could I give you a
$5.00 deposit to hold it?
Yeah, I guess so.
You got my phone number?
Yeah, I'll call you.
Well, what seems to
be the problem anyway?
I've got to get my father's
permission to buy it.
Hm. Well, I feel for you, kid.
I know what I went through
to get my father's permission.
Hi, Wally.
What?
Oh, hi, Beav.
What are you doing?
I'm just making a list.
What kind of a list?
The pros and cons
of buying a car.
- What are they?
- You know,
the for and against.
What do you have so far?
Well, number 1... I
have $180 saved up,
so I can pay for the car myself.
Number 2...
I could take Beaver to
school and save the bus fare.
Number 3...
I could take the other kids
to school and charge them.
Number 4...
Wally? What do you
have in the other column?
That's one of the problems.
See, I haven't been able
to think of a single reason
why I shouldn't have a car.
Just wait till you talk to Dad.
He'll think of a
million reasons.
Yeah.
That's a pretty big list.
I don't think Dad
will turn you down.
You don't think so?
No.
With all those reasons,
you could talk me into letting
you have a car real easy.
Hi, Eddie.
Hi, Sam Benedict,
what's the verdict?
What do you mean?
Is the warden gonna
let you have wheels?
Huh?
Is your father going
to let him buy the car?
If you need a translation,
why don't you go to the U.N.?
I haven't even
told my father yet.
Chickened out, huh?
No, it's just that I haven't figured
out a way to break it to him yet.
What do you mean,
break it to him?
If it was my pop,
I'd just buy the car
and put it in the garage.
Then when he got home from work,
it would be there.
If that's the way you do it,
how come you don't have
a car of your own, Eddie?
Well, I would have,
but I'm saving up
to buy a Ferrari.
I thought I might bring it
up to Dad at dinnertime.
Yeah, that's always a good
time to sneak up on him.
The only thing is I don't know
exactly how to bring it up to him.
Well, easy. Just wait till the
conversation gets around to cars.
But what if the conversation
doesn't get around to cars?
Look, squirt,
don't you know you
can slide into any subject
from any other subject?
How can you do that?
I'll show you.
Name a subject, any subject.
Geometry.
Geometry. Well...
Oh, cut it out, wise
guy. That's too hard.
Anyway, nobody's going
to talk about geometry
at dinner.
Sure, Beav,
why would anybody
bring up geometry?
Something on your mind, Wally?
Who, me?
Oh, gee, no, I...
I was just thinking about
my homework, I guess.
Well, that's fine.
I hope to see an improvement
in those grades this month,
especially geometry.
Geometry?
There goes the ballgame.
What did you say, Beaver?
Oh, nothing, Mom.
Dad, do they use geometry
in making automobiles?
Well, Beaver, I guess
they use geometry
in every kind of engineering.
There you are, Wally. Go ahead.
Go ahead with what?
Oh, nothing.
Well, the thing is, uh, Dad,
- I put a deposit down
on a car today.
- You did what?
Wally, you're not really
thinking of buying a car.
Well, sure.
I've got my own license now,
and I can't be borrowing
your car all the time.
I figured if I had my own car,
it would save us a
whole lot of money.
How would it save us money?
Well, I could take
Beaver to school,
and that would save
the school-bus fare.
Maybe so, Wally,
but I hardly think it
would save enough
to pay for running a car.
And I could... I could take
Beaver's friends to school
and charge them.
And, Dad, I just
thought of something.
Sometime your car might
break down on a Sunday.
Well, Beaver, I'll
admit the possibility,
but why is it so horrifying?
Gee, Dad, don't you see?
Then we couldn't get to church.
You wouldn't want us to
miss church, would you?
Now, son, don't you
think it's a little unfair
to bring up the religious
issue in this campaign?
Wally, I can think of
all kinds of reasons
why you shouldn't have a car.
Gee, Mom, Dad's
supposed to do that.
Son, this is a question
I'm not exactly unprepared for,
and it's a very serious one,
but if you've saved the money
and if your schoolwork
doesn't suffer,
I guess you can spend the
money on a car if you like.
Oh, gee, Dad,
that would be great.
Boy, Wally, I never thought
you'd get from geometry
to Dad saying
yes in such a hurry.
Now, just a minute.
Not so fast here.
First of all, I want to see
this car you intend to buy.
Gee, Dad, it's a real neat car.
Even Lumpy checked
it out. It's a bomb.
Good heavens, what's a bomb?
It's just an expression
for a great car.
Regardless of Lumpy's diagnosis,
I still want to see
the car, and secondly,
do you have any idea how
much insurance is going to cost?
In... Insurance?
Well, I... I kind of
forgot about that.
You could call Ted Henderson,
my insurance man, tonight
and find out about
it if you'd like.
Yeah, okay, I'll...
I'll call him tonight.
Could we be excused now?
Yeah, I guess so.
You know, Wally?
On that list of yours
you should have had less
pros and a couple more cons.
Ward, I know Wally's growing up.
I just don't like the idea
of him having a car.
Well, dear, he has a license,
and he's old enough.
Can't expect
time to stand still.
No, I just don't like
the idea of it rushing past me
in a $180 bomb.
Comprehensive?
Yes, sir.
Fire and theft.
Liability.
That's both personal
injury and property damage.
Well, whichever
one's the cheapest.
You, uh... You got
to have both, huh?
Collision?
Oh, you don't have to have that?
Okay, thank you very
much, Mr. Henderson.
I'll call you back
when I decide on a car.
What's wrong, Wally?
The insurance.
You know, it's going to cost
me almost as much as the car
just for one year.
Gosh, Wally,
it looks like you won't
be able to buy a car
until you're an old man.
What do you mean?
Well, it took you 17 years
to save up $180 for the car.
By the time you save up the
money for the insurance, you'll be 33.
Hey, Wally,
I just thought of another reason
why you should have a car.
Yeah, well, thanks anyway, Beav,
but I've already
got enough reasons.
What I'm short of now is money.
Oh, hi, Wally.
Hi, Dad.
I just wanted to find out if
you'd called the insurance man.
Yeah, I called him all right.
And?
And I hope I don't
have any trouble
getting my $5 deposit back.
Oh, you found that insurance
was quite expensive, huh?
Yeah, Dad, with buying the car and paying
for the insurance and the license plates,
Wally would still be losing money
if he just kept the car in the garage.
Well, Wally, I know
this is a big undertaking,
and I've talked it
over with your mother,
and I'm willing to help
you with the insurance
and the license, under
certain conditions.
Gee, Dad, what conditions?
First of all, as I said before,
that you keep your
grades up at school.
Second, that you show
enough responsibility
to handle a car.
And finally, that I
approve of this car
that you've put the deposit on.
- But, Dad...
- I know. I know.
Lumpy checked it out
and said it was a bomb,
but I'm not going to have
you throw your money away
on a car that'll bring you
nothing but a lot of headaches
and won't be safe to drive.
Now, that all right with you?
Gee, Dad, what can he do?
He's stuck.
Do you feel that way, Wally?
Heck, no, Dad.
If this is being stuck, it's
a great way to be stuck.
Okay. Good night.
Thanks, Dad.
Gosh, how long does it
take to buy a car anyways?
I don't know, Beaver,
but I'd say it would take a
good bit longer than 15 minutes.
Fifteen minutes?
Is that how long
they've been gone?
Seems more like two hours.
Beaver, you seem awfully
anxious for Wally to get a car.
Yeah, I figure every time Wally
gets to do something neat like this,
he's sort of breaking the
ice for me when I get older.
Oh, is that the way it works?
Sure, like when Wally talked Dad
into having his own electric razor
or going camping overnight
and all that grownup stuff.
I figure he's kind of
running interference for me.
Well, Beaver, I'm afraid it's going to
be a long time before you're driving.
Oh, no, Mom,
it'll only be four
years and 36 days.
Sure... Sure is a
beauty, huh, Dad?
Yeah, it looks all right.
Believe me, Mr. Cleaver,
I've never had a
bit of trouble with it.
There just isn't a
better car on the road.
I see.
May I ask why you're selling it?
Oh, well, um, I'm
buying another car.
Oh.
Seems sort of a shame to
give up the best car on the road.
Hey, Dad, what are you doing?
I'm just checking the
steering wheel for excess play.
Oh, yeah.
Well, the springs aren't
in too good a shape.
Gosh, Dad. Don't say that.
You'll embarrass the guy.
Rubber's in pretty good shape.
Uh, yeah, it's not bad.
Uh, would you
mind starting it up?
Oh, uh, you want
me to start it up?
Why, yeah, I'd like
to listen to the valves
and... oh, watch
the exhaust for oil,
check the windshield wipers,
taillights, headlights,
that sort of thing.
Boy, Dad, how do you know
so much about buying a car?
Wally, you know, they did
have cars when I was a boy.
Used cars?
Yes, son, strange
as it may seem,
the invention of the automobile
did predate my boyhood.
Yeah, sure, Dad.
It always smokes a
little when it's cold.
Yeah, Dad, they always
smoke a little when they're cold.
That's quite a valve clatter.
Oh, that quiets down
when it warms up.
Yeah, Dad, that quiets
down when it warms up.
Hey, Frank, rev it
up for him a little.
Well, here's your
deposit back, Wally.
Oh, thanks a lot.
I'm sorry, son, but I think we
better look at a few other cars first.
That's okay.
Maybe I can sell it to some
kid whose father's out of town.
Ah, good afternoon, sir.
Good afternoon.
Nice, clean little
car there, isn't it?
It is?
Oh, I don't think you
can go wrong on this one.
For $150 you can
turn it over real quick
for a $50 profit.
A profit?
You are a dealer, aren't you?
A car dealer?
Oh, I'm afraid not.
Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry.
I was sure you were a dealer,
and I quoted you
the trade price.
Well, what's done is done.
That is the price
that I quoted you,
and that is the price
it's going to have to be.
Hey, gosh, Dad,
do you think that...
Wally, we'll talk
about it later.
We'll think it over. We want
to look around a little first.
Whatever you say,
sir, but believe you me,
you're passing
up the buy of the...
I said we'd think it over.
Gee wiz, Dad,
if the guy made
a mistake, why...
Wally, he didn't
make any mistake.
The whole thing was an act,
staged for our benefit.
Gee, no fooling?
Sure, it's the oldest
trick in the world.
Yeah, but look.
The sign over there says that all
cars are guaranteed for 30 days.
Yeah, but what I'd like to
see is a sign guaranteeing
that he'll still be in
business in 30 days.
Come on.
Tail lights.
Now hit the brakes.
Boy, she sure runs
smooth, doesn't she, Dad?
Well, as we used to
say when I was a boy,
she's not much for pretty,
but she sure gets the job done.
Well, how did it go?
Oh, great, Mr. Nelson.
Boy, couldn't find a
thing wrong with it.
Well, don't try to kid me
about my own cars, young man.
There's plenty
wrong with this car.
Needs new paint, new upholstery,
and the radio doesn't work.
Well, I'll tell you something.
The thing I care most about
is the safety of the car.
I know exactly what
you mean, Mr. Cleaver.
Got a son myself, and
he's about this boy's age,
and I certainly wouldn't
want him driving around
in a dangerous car.
Oh, Jack.
Say, Dad, you think this
guy's putting on a big act, too?
Well, we'll know
in a minute, Wally.
Would you object to my
mechanic checking the car over?
Not at all.
In fact I'll go you one better.
You drive this car for a week,
and if you find something wrong,
you bring it back
and exchange it
for anything else
you like on the lot.
Mom! Hey, Mom!
Is something wrong, Beaver?
I think I hear them.
No, I guess not.
Beaver, look. Wally is
going to drive up in a $180 car
and when he does, you
won't think you hear him.
I have a feeling you're
going to know for sure.
Mom, it's them. It's them.
So, I hear.
Boy, she sure runs
smooth, doesn't she?
Yeah, fine.
Well, Wally, I
guess this is the spot
where I should
give you the lecture
on the responsibility
of owning a car.
- Yeah.
- But I'm not going to.
I think you already know
everything I might say,
and I'm going to
pay you the respect
of trusting you to know
your responsibilities.
Golly, Dad, you
don't have to worry.
I passed my driver's
test almost perfect.
Yeah, I know, Wally,
but sometimes a
father's standards
are even higher than those of
the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Well, Beav, how do you like it?
Boy, Wally, it's really neat.
What do you think of it, Mom?
Well, neat's hardly the
word I'd use to describe it.
Dear, I wish you'd show
a little more enthusiasm.
He's very proud of the car,
and if you'd make
a little fuss over it,
he'd be twice as proud.
Ward, do you think it's safe?
I had a mechanic check it over,
and as far as the
safety points go,
it's in good shape.
No kidding, Mom,
do you really like it?
Oh, Wally, I think
it's a beautiful car.
Thanks.
Oh, say, Dad, you
mind if I use the hose?
The hose? What for?
Well, I thought
I'd wash the car.
Well, Wally, I don't know
whether you're going to have time.
Remember, we're all
going out to dinner tonight.
I know. That's what I meant.
I mean, why couldn't we all
go out to dinner in my car?
Hey, that's a neat
idea. Isn't it, Mom?
Oh, well, I thought... Yes, Mom?
Uh, what I mean is I think it
would be a very good idea.
Fine. Come on, dear.
We better get dressed.
Gee, look, Wally. There's
two spare tires in here.
Hey, no fooling?
Yeah. Now alls you need
is a wheel to put them on.
Well, we're all set.
Good. You and
Mom can ride in back,
and Beaver and
I will ride up front.
Hm, just like having
our own chauffer.
Oh, yeah, that's one of
those things we've got to fix.
It only opens from the inside.
Thank you.
Dear.
Oh, well, I'll get seat covers
as soon as I save up some money.
Like... Like Dad says,
the car runs just as good
with the back window up.
My, my,
and I thought Mr. Cleaver was
doing so well with that company.
Smooth like a jet, huh, Mom?
What did you say, Wally?
I said...
A little tune-up will
fix that engine noise.
Ward, something keeps
poking me in the back.
I know. Something's
poking me, too.
It's the springs.
They're coming
through the upholstery,
but don't say anything.
Hope I can keep from saying
something till we get to the restaurant.
Boy, that sure
was a neat dinner.
Thanks for letting me
have your desert, Mom.
- Mm-hm.
- Hey, Mom, did you really
like riding in my car?
I noticed in the mirror you had
kind of a funny
expression on your face.
Oh, honey, that's just because
I'm used to riding in the front seat.
You know, Wally, I think
maybe we could tie down
some of those springs
in the back seat.
That restaurant must've
been pretty crowded.
The parking lot
guy put Wally's car
way back in the alley.
Yeah, but wait till I
get the seats fixed
and a new paint job.
I bet he parks it
right out in front.
Come on, Beav.
Say, Dad.
I know for $180 you can't get
the greatest car in the world,
but, boy, I sure appreciate it.
Well, thank you.
That's fine, Wally.
And, boy, if you hadn't
gone along with me,
I could've really been taken.
It really meant a lot to me.
Well, it means a lot to
me to have you say that.
Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA