This weekend was the biggest car show in Wisconsin; the 52nd annual Iola Car Show. There were over 2,500 cars, 1,600 campsites, and the guests of honour were ‘Happy Days‘ own Fonzie (Henry Winkler), Ralph (Donny Most) and Potsie (Anson Williams). For many show-goers, this was a chance to meet their childhood hero The Fonz and his pals.
Still on TV reruns today ‘Happy Days‘ was the No. 1 show for multiple season in the 1970’s and had a big impact on popular culture. Originally broadcast from 1974 to 1984, the iconic TV show was set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the late 1950’s. The state has absolutely embraced the TV show as part of its history even including a visit to the Bronze Fonz statue on the ‘Wisconsin Bucket List’.
Other than both being in Wisconsin the Iola Car Show and Happy Days connection is The Fonz: the original car-guy, master mechanic and cool cat. He introduced a whole generation of impressionable kids to what it meant to be cool. Like riding motorcycles, wrenching on cars, and drag racing hot rods!
The Fonz helped keep car culture alive during the malaise era of the 1970s when vehicles from Detroit were somewhat less than the American dream machines of the 1950s. That’s why so many people turned out at Iola to see Henry Winkler and the guys. It was the opportunity to share with these actors their stories of naming their cars, vans and even businesses after The Fonz or Happy Days.
With the death of network television, and the rise of limitless streaming services, there will never be another TV show with the reach and impact of Happy Days or a character as universally recognized as The Fonz. That show had a real impact on people.
Here’s some cool pics from the Iola Car Show,
VERY fun!
Who wouldn’t want to meet The Fonz?!
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I read a thing on social media that Henry Winkler has a couple of ‘friendship bracelets’ with THE FONZ woven into them, and he gives them out to die-hard fans. That’s so opposite to what I would expect… not exactly ‘cool’ or ‘street’ but he is just a 78-year-old Jewish grandpa now. He ain’t really Arthur Fonzarelli.
i’ve seen him in a couple other roles where he was way more henry like than fonz like. seems like a really really good gut.
I agree. He seems like a genuinely friendly, modest guy who knows how fortunate he was to have such a great role, even if it typecast him.
This is such a cool story and fantastic pics.
I don’t remember watching the show back then; maybe none of the open Brazilian TV channels ever got it.
No! You didn’t grow up on Happy Days?!?
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Brother, the show has definitely held up over the years. First season is like weekly episodes of American Graffiti. Second season is OK too (all shot on film). After that it became a sit-com and became INCREDIBLY popular.
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I have the whole series on DVD which I would be happy to lend to you, Rubens. You’ll love it.