Down Time

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Down Time
Episode # 213
Air Date December 16, 1978
Briefing Female Car Thieves
Title screen

Brief Plot

Ponch's vacation plans are ruined when a gang of female car thieves steals his newly rebuilt Firebird. Little does Ponch know, 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 carelessness. Ponch breaks his pinky finger during a police chase. Getarer losers the duty roster. Sindy wants to go on a diet, and get married.

Plot

Ponch’s newly rebuilt Firebird

In the morning, Ponch and Jon pull into headquarters as another squad car pulls out. While inside the building Ponch has everybody in the department follow him to the door for the surprise. Ponch takes everybody outside to show them his newly rebuilt Trans Am. Grossie guesses new car. Ponch tells him that it’s an old car. Sindy knows that it’s the burnt out old hulk that he had picked up for $83 a couple of months ago. Ponch goes bingo. Grossie knows Ponch had built it back up himself with a little help from Jon and Baricza. Grossie is also impressed with the work. Sindy knows that Ponch has a male ego. Everyone admires the car. Getraer comes outside looking at the car and mentions to them about fair shake then decides tells everyone to hit the bricks.

At the end of the day Ponch drives back to his apartment near the marina. As Ponch pulls into his parking spot, his new neighbor pulls into her parking spot. At the same time Ponch and his new neighbor get out of their cars she is carrying her groceries, and tells him that he has a nice car. Ponch knows that they haven't met yet; she introduces herself as Kim Balford, and tells Ponch that she moved in just a few days ago. Ponch welcomes Kim to the garden spot at the marina, introduces himself as Frank Poncherello, and tells Kim that he lives in apartment number 127 in case you ever need a cup of sugar. Kim goes I'll remember that, and walks off.

A Blonde filing her nails
A Blonde pulling out

Later, two blonde female car thieves show up on a motorcycle. The sandy blonde on the back points at Ponch's car, and the bleach blonde turns around on the bike stops. She gets off the back of the motorcyle and breaks into Ponch's car with a slim jim. She gets into car and uses a slidehammer to yank the igniton lock off while the other one files her nails keeping a look out for the cops. She drives out of the parking garage.

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

She drives the car down to Al Dubowe Auto Sales, a used-car lot owned by a friend of theirs who part is of a big operation, and is helping them with the stolen cars. After arriving she gets out of the car and walks off where the salesman outside puts a sold sign on the car. Kim picks up her friend who had this morning just boosted the car in the parking garage, making sure that there all set then starts laughing about who they had just ripped off Ponch; they drive off.

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 asks him to change the subject to anything else. Ponch brags about his car hitting 60 mph in 8+ seconds and bets Jon that he can make it to Sussex Canal in a hour. Jon sees two women driving a brand new black 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 pulling into Al Dubowe Used Cars

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.

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, and calls in code 4 on the pursuit. Ponch reveals to Jon that he injured his finger after Jon inquires. Jon tells Ponch that they have to go over to County General Hospital. The car thieves continue and deliver the stolen car to a car dealer.

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 he wants to laugh to call him Tuesday. Ponch and Jon arrive back from the emergency room and Grossie announces their arrival. 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 aks 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 womens 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.

Jon goes into the break room to grab a snack . 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. 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. Jon asks if anyone has change for a buck and mentions that his wallet is gone. Getraer asks whether anyone has seen the duty roster. Grossie suggests that check his office; Sindy says that maybe he left it at home.

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 and his broken pinky finger home. Ponch thanks Jon for the lift. After arriving at Ponch's apartment Jon is looking for his wallet. Ponch says sorry old buddy to Jon. Jon notices Ponch's new neighbor from the floor above. Ponch mentions that's Kim Balford. 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.

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

Ponch is forced to take a checker taxicab to headquarters. Grossie asks Ponch if he is into rebuilding cabs. Ponch in goes Grossie by going 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. Ponch tells Jon that his car was stolen. Jon asks Ponch if he had filed a report. Ponch tells Jon that he had a black/white out there in 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. 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.

Kim wearing a bikini on a party boat
Kim getting away in Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird
Kim driving Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird
Kim going airbourne in Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird
Ponch's newly rebuilt Firebird involved a wreck now with an out of control fire

Great Quote

"That Balogna" - 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.

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.

Buy this episode


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