Leominster Access Television Presents - Top Props: The Lost In Space Chariot. A short documentary on the construction of a detailed full scale working replica of the Lost In Space Chariot from the 1965 Irwin Allen TV program.
Hands down, my favorite show growing up. I think the combination of the space adventure, really cool props , great story lines and the family aspect to it all came together to make a tv show that was very entertaining to watch.
Well let me say this. If this Chariot is any indication of the work done at Elevator Interior Designs I can see why they are successful. This has got to be the best replica prop of it's kind. It's immaculate. Absolutely stunning. In it's day the Chariot had to be one of the most ambitious functional props ever done and I think rivals many modern shows in terms of scale and scope. Top notch.
This reminds me of a similar restoration done to the Galileo 7 from Star Trek. I also remember the Landram/Snowram from the original Battlestar, and the Landmaster from Damnation Alley.
What I like is that they continue to update it to screen accurate. Many would be satisfied with alternative parts/pieces/assemblies, but whenever they are able, they replace things that aren't quite there with exact duplicates, or originals. I never even thought about the fact that one company made all the computer panels for most TV and film presentations that needed such things. With all the advances in tech, I'd like to see an updated Chariot with LED lights and screens, anything and everything modern. Then set them up right next to each other. Imagine, back then they wouldn't have a clue about small PLC's or flat screen monitors, maybe wrap around LED headlights. That said, it's very cool the way it is. In fact, I don't think anything could rival it for at least 20 years.
A vehicle is technically not a prop, it's a Picture Car. Props are small items that actors carry and/or handle. The Props Dept. doesn't deal with vehicles at all.
Growing up through this period television and movies were an absolute feast for the imagination. There were just so many genres and none of them were the mean-spirited and angst-ridden garbage of the last few decades. Born in 1961 I feel that I really hit the historical jackpot!
Yes sir you surely did, I was born in 1958. I grew up watching shows like sky king, Roy Rodgers, wirly birds, lost in space, Daktari and so many shows that were family oriented. Not like today. We definitely grew up in a time that was superior to what kids are faced with today. It's really a shame, I do feel for my granddaughters.
I just got goosebumps watching this video. Watching LIS as a kid in the 60s, I always wanted to be Will Robinson and have my own Robot and travel in the Jupiter 2 and ride in the famous "Chariot"!
I. Love. This. The Lost in Space art direction - for the first 6 episodes - was second to none. And the Chariot was a masterpiece. Thanks for this! Next time I'm in Lynn, MA, I'm going to stop by!
For those of us who were young kids of that era....Lost In Space was one of the most influencial, and inspirational shows ever! I found this whole endeavour to recreate its classic Space Chariot so exciting; astonishing & heartwarming. Phenomenal job all round!! 😃👏👏👏👏
What a beautiful project. Great to see someone put their heart and soul into re-creating such an iconic piece of TV science fiction culture... and part of the childhood of so many of us (who are old enough to remember seeing the original for the first time). Thanks for the great post!
I just stumbled across this video and am in total awe of the re-creator of this chariot. He is and his team are genius. I grew up with the show myself being now 68 years old in 2022. The episodes with the chariot were my most favorite and memorable. I LOVE THIS!
I am watching the original series on The Roku Channel. I was pondering where the original had got to after all this time. I ran into your video by chance. I was absolutely amazed and taken back. What a fine job you did creating this masterpiece. That would be so much fun to drive. Beautiful curves and far out design. You accomplished the task exquisitely. I commend you. I am totally blown away ! It just doesn't get any better than what you have done. Thank you.
This is astoundingly cool. I didn't grow up with the show, I only watched it all a few years ago, but I thought the Chariot was amazing. It's such an iconic vehicle and I loved that it was a real vehicle, it actually moved under its own power, it wasn't just an empty box pulled around on a string or something like that. It really excites me that I might get to sit in the Chariot one day. Such a cool vehicle.
What was so special and unique about the 60's LIS series was the idea and vision of a family in space in contrast to a hierarchical crew as might often be the case in those days! This concept had a way of , I think, bringing it's audience closer together . . . And perhaps more unified an experience to behold! Kudos to Irwin Allen and cast for launching such a splendid idea!
Wow, it's a blast from the past. I am such a huge fan, when I was a kid I built a model of the chariot. It was a diarama, the chariot with crew figures all around shooting lasers at a giant cyclops on top of a cliff. This chariot is absolutely perfect, it is just beautiful.
Im in my 70zz now remembering back the first season it seemed great show with reasonable sanity's about the family being lost in space. The Chariot i would draw into any book i had. She was equipped with multiple turrets with the Force field emitter attached on top that would swivel with the top weapons turret. The front of the Crawler had more lights all high beams along with 2 fixed Canons R and L of winch. The Jet pack was affixed to the rear exit inside access for safe wearing. Second season the show really was dregsville and after that if you were watching it for any reason then stoned and bored then you had a problem, Cheers and tanks good vid
Wow, a working re-creation of the Chariot! How cool! Was a big fan of Lost in Space, I think I've watched every episode many times and just found the show here on RU-vid, so I can enjoy it again 55 years or so later. Beautiful job!
What an awesome project to build when you have such a business. Total props to these people who put the work and dedication into building this reproduction, and those pictures of the original are almost heartbreaking, hope it's found someone who's willing to put the effort into restoring this bit of TV history back together.
This is Amazing :) John Antonellis & His Team did a magnificent job recreating The Chariot !! It's Awesome :) Thank you for making this documentary ! Ralph - Melbourne Australia
I used to watch the show and be fascinated by the chariot. I pictured myself inside out in horrific weather, but sung as a bug inside with all the cool stuff.
Thanks to you and your team's hard work and effort on a childhood favorite. It's a great salute to television history and you've done a terrific job with this. Two thumbs way up!!!
Would you believe I'm 78, lived through that entire era, am both a sci/fi fan and astronomer, but still have never seen a single episode of 'Lost In Space?"
I loved Lost in Space growing up but my all time favorite episodes were when they brought the Chariot out. I thought it was just the coolest thing ever. My favorite episode was when they were going across the water in the storm.
My fond childhood memory: Soo cool when they piled into the chariot. Must have been soo hot and clammy inside for the poor Robinsons, especially in those plastic spacesuits!
Put a propane stove and a Window unit AC in it and I wanna live in it LOL Very , very cool childhood memories a little before my time but re-runs are a wonderful thing !!!
Fantastic job on the reproduction of the Chariot! I am glad I came across this video as with most people, i grew up on Lost in Space and it brings back pleasant memories. Well done!!!!!!!!
Wow! It’s like I just traveled back to my youthful self ... I remember thinking , boy! I would love to live like they did on a spaceship and the chariot was always a treat to see as it was not featured often .....and ironically I also loved the ships round elevator.
So very cool! I was ten years old when Lost In Space first aired. I loved the show, and especially loved all the gadgets. The robot, the chariot, the Jupiter II, man! If only they were real! And now they're being created by fans!
Wow! This is an absolute work of art! Strange isn't it how we can't remember what we had for breakfast, but something like this is indelibly burned into the skin of our brain. I always felt that the Chariot and the Galileo 7 shuttle craft from the original Star Trek were the coolest things I had ever seen.
FiatDuster well I grew up during that time when the Apollo Space program was gearing up, this show was a reflection of the excitement of people going into space. Sure it wasn’t the biggest budget show, but who cared in those days? We weren’t jaded by special effects.
Of course it took two Greeks to build a Chariot...must be in the Greek DNA. John Antonellis and Chris Pappas, thank you guys for rebuilding a piece of iconic, 60's, Sci/Fi memorabilia.
Some of the best things going on in this world are happening right HERE with dynamic people like you! Thank God you are Lost in Space fans! I love this amazing, AMAZING chariot to the last detail!
amazing,... I was born in Brazil back in 1964 and I use to watch lost in space almost every day, this is really cool, I think, a feel more tweaks, you guys can send this thing out of space with no problems! ;-)
Love "Lost in Space as a 12 year old kid. We called it "Lost in Crater Valley" back then. I don't remember why. I recently purchased the complete series on Blu-Ray and I am looking forward to enjoying it all over again as an Old Man! :)
Awesome. I waited for two years for the series to come out. Then we moved to Germany. Then I had to wait another 3 years to watch Lost in Space. Excellent video and thanks for sharing.
I love that people share my passion for Science-Fiction and details in props, memorabilia, costumes, this a loving work of art tribute to a great show with an amazing cast that had such heart and hope for families moving to the future. Looking forward to seeing your completed B9 robot will all the lights and bells and whistles...Awesome memoires, Thank you so much!
Wow! An excellant reproductiin of the LIS chariot! I had a feeling the orig. was in a private collection ( as is with the famous props from all the 60's and 70's TV shows)
Charles Aguilar: Hate to burst your bubble (No Pun Intended) Instead of being kept and cherished like most show props the original Chariot was shamefully stripped then sold to a ski resort after the series ended and had the back body cut off removed and abandoned, There are pictures on the internet (LINK BELOW) of it sitting rusting with all the plexiglass shattered. As for the chassis it was converted back into a snow cat with the front part of the chariot prop. kept as a cab and used at the ski resort, WHAT A CRYING SHAME!!!!! A little Trivia fact for you snow cats were used in another sci-fi show, Battlestar Galactia the original one had a snow cat that was used as the shows transport on planet shots, The Front grill is identical to the LIS chariot, They dubbed in a turbine noise to cover the sound of the 6 cyl. Ford engine in the snow cat. Pictures of the Original Chariot and the Reproduction, Also pictures of the destroyed original and it's current incarnation below: www.google.com/search?q=where+is+the+original+chariot+from+lost+in+space&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=i4t545ligPzq9M%253A%252Cu27suD62p_nPmM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kT28-2aaKUxOUJqpeWNO3ybE9mvnQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV2_DW0_PgAhWqUt8KHZXwBlYQ9QEwD3oECAEQBA&biw=1920&bih=964#imgdii=XxKBUkDtBFWb-M:&imgrc=oWBXAcqWFbwoSM:&vet=1 .
@@waynemazzola9443 Thanks for the upload. It's amazing to me someone could be zo stupid and shortsighted th destroy the original Even if they just used it as a novelty around the ski slopes would have been worth SOMETHING.
I'm 72 so I can remember listening to sci fi radio shows in the very early 1950s where we all expected to be driving around the moon & Mars in vehicles like the Chariot by 1999 ,especially on the radio shows called Beyond 2000 and 2000 Plus .
I was a 6 yr old when LIS debuted. The Robot was hands down the coolest thing on the show, then the J2. The Chariot and the Space Pod switched back and forth for me but I've always been greatly impressed with the ingenuity and skill it must have took to create the real life one and then the small one for the getting tossed on the stormy seas scenes. As a guy who once built his own copy of KITT from Knight Rider in the mid 80's, LONG before anyone else even thought of trying, I commend you for this beautiful replica. I still wonder what happened to the original?
