Star Trek fans were first introduced to a futuristic looking car referred to as the Jupiter 8 in the episode “Bread and Circuses.” Above is the advertisement Kirk and Spock happen to see in a magazine named The Gallian. They determine it to be part of the cause for the planet’s smog. It is seen briefly throughout the episode.
In reality, this car is a variation of one later referred to as a Reactor Mach II, built by a well-known car customizer by the name of Gene Winfield (also known to Trek fans as one of the people behind the shuttlecraft Galileo ) at his shop for a Connecticut show promoter. Gene bought it back eventually and wound up marketing it to Hollywood. Much has been written about it and its appearances on other television shows but that is not the purpose of this article.
After “Bread and Circuses” aired, several car magazines did spreads on the car using either publicity shots taken by the studio or their own photographers. All featured William Shatner, dressed as Captain Kirk. These photos are in no particular order and are only presented for your viewing pleasure.
Notice you do see different settings in these photos. The one at the top was definitely taken on the backlot of the Desilu studios. Others were shot outside at a different unknown location, sometimes with palm trees in the background.
If you look carefully at the ones taken on the Desilu Studio 9 backlot, you can sometimes see the bicycles used by various people on the show.
A better view of the bicycles.
And yes, that is Gene Winfield himself in the final photos.
Remembering to Leonard Simon Nimoy (March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor, film director, photographer, author, singer, and songwriter. He was known for playing Spock in the Star Trek franchise, a character he portrayed in television and film from a pilot episode shot in late 1964 to his final film performance in 2013.
Leonard Nimoy had a pilot’s license and his own plane! His daughter, Julie Nimoy, often flew with him and served as his pinch hitter (pilot’s companion)