World famous Muppet Movie car to be restored by Studebaker National Museum and RazorFly Studios
The screen-used 1951 Studebaker Commander was driven by Fozzie Bear and Kermit in the 1979 film.
At the time, CGI wasn't available, so there were two Muppet cars used during filming, with modifications made to accommodate the Muppeteers.
The Studebaker Museum stated after filming ended, one car was not preserved and no longer exists, while the other spent years exposed to the elements on the Warner Brothers studio back lot.
The second car was acquired by the Studebaker Drivers Club’s Orange Empire chapter and later gifted it to the Studebaker Museum.
By restoring the world-famous vehicle, the Studebaker National Museum hopes to preserve the valuable piece of movie history and tell its story of transformation from an average 1951 Studebaker Commander into a movie car capable of being “driven” by Muppets.
Kyle Sater, the Studebaker National Museum Curator, stated, “This project is so special to Museum staff, the community, and Muppet fans around the world. We are thrilled to be partnering with RazorFly Studios to begin the restoration of Fozzie’s Studebaker and want to thank their team and all our supporters thus far for making this a reality. We are one step closer to returning a bear to his natural habitat—a Studebaker.”
RazorFly Studios is an International Academy Award-winning costume, prop house, and custom car builder, specializing in building screen-accurate replica vehicles, based out of Sylva, North Carolina.
Their work, which includes Back to the Future's time-travelling DeLorean, has been seen on CNN, Car and Driver, Top Gear UK, Auto Heroes, and at several comic conventions.
Mark Zoran, owner of RazorFly Studios, said of the Muppet project, “We are honored to be working with the Studebaker National Museum, and are humbled to have been chosen to partner with the Museum to restore “a Bear’s Natural Habitat.” This is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity and it’s absolutely amazing to be a part of American car history and American cinematic history as well. We have spent countless hours rewatching scenes from The Muppet Movie to make sure that this restoration is (motion) picture-perfect!"
The restoration is set to begin this month and is scheduled for completion in 18 months, with plans to have the car back in South Bend in the summer of 2025.
The Studebaker Museum says they've secured around $60,000 in funding for the project which is enough to move forward with RazorFly Studios’ generous partnership.
The Museum says they will continue to seek donations for special components of the restoration and to build an exhibit in the Museum that brings the movie magic to life.
If you'd like to help support the project, donations are being accepted through the Museum webpage at Restore the Studebaker Muppet Car.
Both the Museum and RazorFly Studios will share regular updates on the car’s progress.
Studebaker National Museum
RazorFly Studios
You can catch a few glimpses of the famous car in The Muppet Movie trailer below.
Trailer courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures