Down Time

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Down Time
Episode # 213
Air Date December 16, 1978
Briefing Put out an APB for blonde, beautiful burglars. Ponch's prized car is boosted by a cadre of female thieves.
Title screen

Brief Plot

Ponch is proud of his newly rebuilt Firebird, but sadly his car gets stolen. Ponch's vacation plans are ruined when a gang of female car thieves steals his newly rebuilt Firebird. Little does Ponch know that his new neighbor is part of the gang that stole his and other vehicles from the Marina area. Jon's wallet is stolen as a relentless streak of bad luck afflicts the duo. Ponch breaks his pinky finger during a police chase. Getarer loses the duty roster. Sindy wants to go on a diet and get married.

Plot

Ponch’s newly rebuilt Firebird

In the morning another motor officer rides out, while Ponch and Jon pull into Central on their bikes, and another squad car just pulls out. While inside the building, Ponch has everybody in the department follow him to the door for a very special surprise outside, and stops his partner Jon who is walking the other way just in time to him turn around in the other direction. Ponch takes everybody outside to show them his surprise which is actually a beautifully rebuilt Trans Am, and has just been freshly repainted Valencia Gold with a brand new bird decal on the hood. Everyone is starting to admire Ponch’s car. Grossie now thinking that it’s a brand new car, and Ponch now reassures him that it’s the same old car. Sindy knows that it’s the burnt out ugly old hulk of junk that Ponch had bought up for $83 a couple of months ago. Ponch knows that Sindy means his car. Grossie knows Ponch had built it back up himself with a little help from his friends which are Jon and Baricza, and is very impressed with the beautiful work. Sindy knows that Ponch has a extension of an male ego. Ponch has just almost had enough of her female chavisim. Everyone is still admiring Ponch’s car. Grossie now decides to give Ponch a compliment on his car. Sindy now decide to chat with Ponch about his car, and are still unaware that Getraer is coming outside while admiring at the car himself for a minute. Getraer now mentions to them about the rules of fair shake, and then changes his mind by wanting everyone to hit the bricks right now in order to do their jobs. Everybody now decides to get going with there day in order to protect the streets free from crime, and Jon puts on his aviator sunglasses. Ponch is still admiring his beautifully rebuilt car, and then eventually decides to take off.

A Blonde filing her nails
A Blonde pulling out

At the end of the day around 5:00 p.m., after Ponch has just finished running some errands, now deciding drive back to his apartment alone near the marina. While Ponch is driving into the underground parking garage, and is unaware that his very strange new neighbor has just pull into her parking spot. She is now starting to get out her beautiful brand new Datsun 280Z, and Ponch has just pull into his parking spot. At the same time Ponch now gets out his car, while she now finally gets out her car, and is carrying her bag of groceries for the week. While Ponch is going to get his dry cleaning one minute, all of sudden his beautiful new neighbor has just shown up out in the middle of nowhere, and is now starting to admire his beautiful rebuilt car. Ponch now decides to stop getting his dry cleaning for a minute to look up, and is now starting to admire her very special compliment on his beautiful rebuilt car. After Ponch has taken notice by admiring his beautiful new neighbor for a minute, all of sudden it’s very strange because he knows that they haven't met yet, and she now introduces herself as his new neighbor Kim Balford. Kim now let’s Ponch that she had just moved into her new apartment few days ago. Ponch now decides to welcome his new neighbor Kim to the garden spot at the marina, and finally introducing himself by his real name which is actually Frank Poncherello with a recently broken pinky finger. Ponch now let’s Kim know that he lives in apartment number 127 in case you ever need a cup of sugar or something else. Kim knows that she’ll remember just in case she ever needs something, and is unaware that Ponch is still looking at her walking away.

A Blonde driving Ponch's Firebird down the street
Kim and Girlfriend driving off

In the early evening around 6:00 p.m., within an hour after two very strange beautiful blond female car thieves received anonymous phone call from a friend of theirs that lives in the apartment building on a beautifully rebuilt Trans Am that they just need boost right now. Both women finally decide to show up while riding around on a recently stolen Kawasaki KZ200, and are just now inside the apartment's underground parking garage near the marina looking for that certain car to boost. The sandy blonde riding on the back now spots the certain car that’s temporarily in it’s usual reserved parking spot, and it turns out to be Ponch‘s beautifully rebuilt Trans Am.


Two women making a sharp turn onto the on ramp
Two women making a very sharp turn

Later, Ponch tells Jon about his car. Jon mentions that he is going to fall asleep, and asks him to change the subject to anything else like for an example the Middle East Crisis. Ponch brags about his car hitting 60 mph in 8.6 seconds, and bets Jon that he can make it from Tel Aviv to Sussex Canal in less then a hour and a half. Jon sees two women driving an all black 77 Corvette carrying old plates. Ponch says that they stopped giving out yellow/black plates about eight years prior. Their break is cut short when they have to start up there motorcycles, and take off going up the on ramp while Ponch calls in the license plate numbers of the car. Jon calls in a 10-4 on his CB radio. Both Ponch and Jon start chasing the car down the Harbor Freeway for couple of miles. The driver takes the exit ramp.

Two women making an escape in SAO 476
Two women after knocking down the automated crossing guard

After getting off the freeway they make a very sharp turn during the chase. The women turn into a parking lot and knock over the stop guard. After going through the parking lot in circles while chasing them they go through the parking garage. As the car thieves exit the lot a group of men in wheelchairs approaches the exit. One wheelchair manages to make it across the exit before the Corvette cuts off the rest.

A baby blue Firebird passing by the car dealer
Two women pulling into Al Dubowe Used Cars

To avoid hitting the wheelchairs, Ponch lays down his bike and breaks his pinky finger in the process. Jon gets off his motorcycle to make sure that Ponch and the people in wheelchairs are all right. One of the men in wheelchairs comments those crazy kids could have killed someone. Jon tells them to split. Ponch now takes off his glove. Jon now calls in code 4 on the pursuit, and notices that Ponch is trying shake off his hand, also trying to bend his pinky finger back. Jon mentions that he though Ponch said that he was all right. Ponch reveals to Jon that he fine, and he just injured his finger a little after Jon inquires. Jon tells Ponch that they have to go over to County General Hospital, and doesn't want any back talk. After ditching both Ponch and Jon finally escaping a police chase. The car thieves continue and deliver the stolen car to a car dealer, also getting out car, and decide go inside the office building.

Back at Central Baricza and others are moving boxes. Baricza comments that he would like to report a missing officers' lounge. Getraer tells Baricza if you want to laugh to call me Tuesday. Ponch and Jon arrive back from the emergency room and Grossie announces their arrival by saying look who's here. Sindy quips that a fallen hero is supposed to being carried out on a shield. Baricza comments that Ponch will never play the piano again. Getraer calls Ponch into his office. Ponch asks what's going on here. Baricza mentions that they are putting in women's locker room. Grossie also mentions orders from Sacramento. Sindy goes another way for women's lib. Getraer has to call out for Ponch one more time.

After going into Getraer's office, Ponch mentions that he just broke his pinky finger. Jon suggests light desk work for at least a week. Getraer asks whether Jon is kidding because half of the regular staff is out in the hall. Ponch wants go back onto the bike and make best of it. Getraer pulls out Ponch's file from the filing cabinet and offers Ponch some of his five days vacation. Ponch goes on vacation. Getraer also mention that Ponch will be just in the way around the station. Jon offers to take the vacation if Ponch does not want it. Ponch mentions that he going to the locker room to change clothes, and plan out my trip. Ponch says I'm just not used to the the sarge wrap around my little finger you know, and walks out of Getraer's office. A few seconds Getraer recieves a phone call where he has to dig threw the boxes to find the phone, and finally answers it.

Jon goes into the break room to grab a snack, and mentions what's really good for disgusting. Sindy mentions that now is the perfect time to on a diet if I wasn't so hungry. Ponch comes in with vacation magazines. Baricza calls Ponch if it isn't Mr. Lucky. Ponch sits down and mentions one trip to the auto club, and I got my whole vacation planed out. Jon can't stand it. Baricza mentions San Francisco. Ponch starts talking about his little bronze beauty, and says that on the way of course he will hit Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterrey. Sindy wants Ponch to marry her and take her away from there. Ponch asks her if she has a dowry. Sindy says sorry. Ponch goes me too. Jon asks if anyone has change for a buck, and mentions that his wallet is gone. Everybody looks without getting out of their chairs. Getraer asks whether anyone has seen the duty roster. Grossie suggests that check his office; Sindy says that maybe he left it at home. Getraer mentions maybe I'll just put in for early retirement, and walks out. Sindy now checks the floor, and while Jon is looking at everyone else.

Jon driving Ponch home at the end of the day
Porsche passing by the apartment building

At the end of the day, Jon drives Ponch home. Ponch now thanks for the lift home. Jon mentions no sweat. Ponch mentions about watching his motor while he is gone. Jon asks Ponch if he could check the patio for his wallet. After arriving at Ponch's apartment, where some women are playing volleyball in front of the pool area. Jon looks for his wallet on Ponch's patio but cannot find it. Jon notices Ponch's new neighbor with the binoculars from the floor above. Ponch mentions that she is Kim Balford a new edition around here. Jon mentions the boy watching with binoculars. Ponch now that the new age, and they have their rights too. Jon asks Ponch to use his phone to stop three blank checks. Jon says you're going to split first thing in the morning. Ponch mentions somewhere around me and my bomb will be somewhere near cloud nine.

Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird is stolen

The next morning Ponch is already packed and carrying a garment bag and a suitcase while walking into the underground parking garage. Ponch notices that his car is gone, and he is very upset. Ponch puts luggage down and starts to run through the inside of the underground parking garage. Ponch now stops walking with a very worried look on his face.

A checker taxicab pulls into Central
Ponch has to take a checker taxicab to Central

Ponch is forced to take a checker taxicab to Central. Baricza goes what happened. Grossie asks Ponch if he is into rebuilding cabs. Ponch ignoes both Grossie and Baricza by snubing both of them a fake smile, and now decides to go inside the building. Getraer is supervising the movers so they don't damage the doors. Ponch goes to Getraer who tells Ponch that it has to wait. Ponch tells Getraer that his car has been stolen. Getraer tells the movers to move the desk.

Ponch goes inside to the men's locker room to tell Jon. Jon is talking is about his stolen wallet, which also includes his drivens, credit cards, oil company card, social security card, medical plan card. Ponch tells Jon that his car was stolen. Jon asks Ponch if he had filed a report. Ponch tells Jon of course, and that he had a black/white out there within five minutes. Jon complains that he had also lost his medical plan card. Ponch goes I don't believe this, and walks out of the locker room.

Ponch is on the office phone calling the insurance company asking to speak to his insurance agent Max Kinneman. Jon walks into the office while Ponch is still on the phone giving a message to Kinneman's assistant telling him to call Officer Poncherello at CHP. Ponch hangs up the phone. Jon apologizes to Ponch for being wrap up in his own selfish world, and mentions about how Ponch's car that just didn't sink in to his head. Ponch mentions about some time. Getraer walks to go hey you guys, and mentions that I'm running a social club here now walks off. Ponch mentions that the man is all heart. Getraer walks in again and tells Ponch that he had just expedited his stolen car report in the teletype and will make it a special item at the next briefing. Ponch thanks Getraer who asks Ponch to go home and relax for those who are working.

Ponch now stops Sindy. Sindy thought Ponch was on his way to San Francisco. Ponch goes me too until my car had got ripped off. Sindy goes oh no. Ponch tells Sindy that I'm indeed of some wheels fast can I borrow yours. Sindy goes I don't know can you ride a bike. Jon is looking at Sindy. Sindy goes real rotten timing sure keep it as long as you like, and I can always bum a ride. Ponch says Thank You. Sindy mentions bye, and walks off. Jon asks Ponch about where he is going. Ponch mentions where else Auto Theft, and Jon so help I'm going to that car back as the last I do, and walks off.

A patrol car drives by Central's Auto Theft Division. A detective goes to Bill Ross's desk to get a detail hot sheet to bust Fast Hand Freddie with hot parts at the Orange County Swap Meet. Ponch walks in and tells everyone that he's in the wrong place because he had heard that there were some real hard people there. Bill greets Ponch by referring to him as son of a gun, and asks how his tire jockey is doing. Ponch mentions that he is on vacation by real popular demand and shows Bill his broken pinky finger. Bill asks how that happened. Ponch explains to Bill that he was practicing slides on his bike and forgot to get off. Bill apologizes to Ponch and offers to buy him a cup of coffee and Ponch accepts the offer. Bill asks Ponch what he is doing down there if he is on vacation. Ponch mentions that he came to help. Bills asks who he is there to help. Ponch says that he is there to help Bill find a car. Bill asks how that happened. Ponch mentions that sometime last night or this morning down at the marina. Bill finds it interesting that it occurred at the marina. Bill says that the marina is the worst, and that they are losing 6 to 8 high performance jobs a day down there. Ponch asks Bill if he figures that it's organized. Bill mentions that, except for a few joyriders, there is major ring working the marina, and the only trouble is that they keep coming up empty. Ponch mentions that it's all going to change now that he is at their service. Bill asks who? Ponch says Bill please I got my life blood into that car. Bill asks Ponch to back off and give him a little room to see what he can come up with. Ponch implores Bill and offers his services free of charge if Bill will just point him in the right direction. Bill points straight ahead at the door. Ponch tells Bill he can't do this to an old buddy. Bill tells Ponch that if he wants to help he should check out his neighbors because they might have seen something. Ponch walks off.

Ponch and Kim getting closer to each other

Ponch goes to Kim's apartment where there's music playing and knocks on the door. Kim asks who is at the door and Ponch responds that it is her neighbor, Frank Poncherello. Kim tells Ponch that the door is open. Ponch walks in and closes the door while mentioning that Kim shouldn't leave her door unlocked. Kim tells Ponch that they don't worry about thing like that in Minnesota. Ponch sees Kim doing yoga.

Kim wearing a bikini on a party boat
Kim getting away in Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird
Kim doing a sharp turn in Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird
Kim driving Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird
Kim going airbourne in Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird
An Ambulance arriving at the accident scene.
Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird involved a wreck now with an out of control fire

Great Quote

"That Baloney" - Ponch


Guest Stars

Also Starring

Featuring

Crew

Fun Facts

  • The first time that Ponch had finished his newly rebuilt Firebird it had a Trans Am bird on the hood.
  • Kim Balford is played by Randi Oakes who would later play Bonnie Clark in seasons 3 through 5 of the show.
  • Susan Kiger, who plays Brandy was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for January 1977.
  • Ponch's original interior inside the car was black leather.
  • Ponch's original factory mags were charcoal Z28 Rally Wheels.
  • Ponch's car was the left over movie car from the film Corvette Summer.
  • Ponch's car is a 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.
  • Ponch's car has a second lower side vent exclusive to 1971 Formulas.
  • Ponch's interior includes high back bucket seats.
  • Ponch's car exterior also includes Trans Am Fender extenders, Trans Am air extractors, and a rear top spoiler.
  • Ponch's license plate is 033 PCE.
  • Ponch's car was also driven Joey Aresco's character Niles in the first season episode Crack-Up, although Joey doesn't appear in this episode.
  • When Jon drives Ponch home, we see Jon's truck at the intersection of Adams Blvd. and Arlington Ave. View in Google Maps
  • Kim lives in Apartment 217.
  • Al Dubowe's Auto Sales was at the intersection of La Cienega Ave. and Washington Blvd. in Culver City.
  • The truck loaded with cars passes Davis Bros. Tires located at 5931 Washington Blvd. in Culver City.
  • The ambulance is actually the 1968 Ford Econoline left over from the episode High Explosive.

Mistakes

  • Jon actually mentions that the 1978 Chevrolet Corvette C3 is a 1977 model.
  • When Ponch introduces himself to Kim his pinky finger is broken, but this does not happen until later when he wrecks while they are chasing the Corvette.
  • When the Corvette approaches the group in wheelchairs, the first guy in a wheelchair is nearly across the parking lot exit when we see the Corvette approach. When the shot cuts to the interior of the Corvette, he has just begun to cross the exit.
  • When Kim runs into Ponch and Jon having lunch, she refers to him as 'Ponch' although he has only introduced himself as Frank Poncherello. Why wouldn't she call him Frank or Officer Poncherello?
  • The scene where Ponch shows the department his newly rebuilt 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, and middle scene where Melodie and Brandy steal his car are at the beginning.
  • While sitting in the Lincoln, Kim refers to "the talkative one to the left, happens to be a cop looking for a stolen car, his stolen car" ; however, Jon was to their left, not Ponch.
  • Before Grossman pursues Kim and Melodie in the Lincoln, we see traffic moving behind him in close-up shots; however, when he begins pursuit, there is no traffic--everyone is stopped at the light.
The Lincoln is empty.
  • When Kim and Melodie ditch the Lincoln, it seems as though they went into the water in with the car; however, the car is empty as it leaves the pier.
Melodie shows through her bikini top.
  • A network censor apparently missed Melodie's bikini top.
  • The car that Kim and Melodie are being chased by Grossman in changes license plates. They start out dark in colour with yellow lettering. As it plunges into the water, the plates change to yellow with dark lettering.
  • Melodie's clothes change from a brown tight sweater and slack to blouse and jeans in between stealing Ponch's car and delivering it.
  • Whomever painted Ponch's Firebird did a fantastic job on it. They painted the grills, headlight buckets, and all of the chrome window trim as well.
  • When Jon is giving Ponch a ride home in his pick-up, he makes a right on red without making a full and complete stop. The cross traffic light has just gone to yellow.
  • When the Firebird rolls over during the final pursuit, the fuel tank has been removed. Also, the left rear tire appears to be completely bald (or a racing slick).

Buy this episode


Preceded by:
"High Explosive" 		Down Time
213 		Followed by:
"Repo Man"
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