Dean Martin’s wild side: Destroying a Vintage Car for a Burger Run
A Rat Pack legend’s impulsive act-demolishing an expensive vintage automobile in pursuit of a fast-food meal-reveals a surprising story about Dean Martin’s generosity and a bygone era of Hollywood excess. Phil Crosby Jr., grandson of Bing Crosby, shared with Fox News Digital a captivating tale of his mother’s engagement to Martin and the legendary incident involving a Stutz Blackhawk and a mcdonald’s drive-thru.
Crosby Jr. recounted that he “was almost Dean Martin’s stepson,” a prospect that would have undoubtedly ushered in a life of privilege. However,the relationship between his mother,Peggy Crosby,and Martin dissolved before reaching the altar,following her previous marriage to Bing Crosby’s son,Phil Crosby Sr.
His mother began dating Martin after meeting him at a club where she worked, and the singer affectionately referred to her as “Peg.” Crosby Jr. recalled a humorous incident where Martin asked him to procure cigarettes, highlighting a different set of social norms.Crosby Jr. playfully rebelled, telling Martin, “you can’t tell me what to do. You’re not my father.”
However,the most enduring story passed down through the family involves Martin’s willingness to go to extreme lengths for his young companion. Crosby Jr.described the incident as “the Stutz and the drive-thru,” explaining that Martin owned a Stutz Blackhawk-a large, valuable vintage automobile.
“I was a bit of a spoiled kid. I did not like to eat a lot of different types of food, but I loved McDonald’s,” Crosby Jr. explained. Around 1976 in Santa Monica,California,while driving in Martin’s Stutz,the young Crosby Jr. began complaining about being hungry. martin, determined to satisfy his companion’s craving, decided to visit a newly-introduced mcdonald’s drive-thru.
Sadly, the drive-thru was too narrow for the expansive vehicle. “So, Dean takes this thing, and he just drives it right into this [drive-thru] and it just crunches the sides, scrapes the side of this – I mean, we’re talking one of the most valuable, you know, collectors’ vehicles,” Crosby Jr. recounted.
Remarkably, his mother simply laughed at the scene. By the time they reached the window, the McDonald’s employees were visibly shocked, having just witnessed the destruction of a classic car. Despite the damage, Martin remained unfazed. “From what I know about him, especially from what his reaction to having expensive damage done to his car so he could feed the little spoiled brat, he blew it off,” Crosby Jr. said.
The damage, he added, was “nothing to him” as Martin wasn’t a “materialistic man.” He was described as a “sweet man” and, compared to other members of the Rat Pack, a relatively faithful and good-natured individual.
Crosby Jr. had one further encounter with Martin as a teenager, describing him as a “class act.” He also fondly remembered his grandfather, Bing Crosby, as a “great American” who deeply valued his Catholic faith and the importance of Christmas. “he came from a big family,” Crosby Jr. continued, “So, I think, I mean, Christmas just became such an vital American tradition … and I know they did it up pretty good in the Crosby House, tall trees, lots of presents.”
Crosby Jr. is currently releasing two holiday singles: a cover of a rare Bing Crosby song,”A Time to be Jolly,” and an original composition titled “Guess Who’s Coming Tonight.” “It’s a Christmas song nobody else recorded,” he said of “A Time to be Jolly.” “But it’s fun song. It’s a little silly … I’d never heard it before … You won’t find it done by Dean Martin or anybody else. So I hope people enjoy it.”
