Ep 2. Million Dollar Buff

Adam 12 was a popular police procedural TV show that ran from 1968 to 1975. The show followed two LAPD officers, Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles. In season 4 episode 2, titled "Million Dollar Buff," the officers come across a perplexing case of a car theft that leads them to a wealthy collector of vintage automobiles.

The episode starts with Pete and Jim, cruising around their beat, when they notice a suspicious-looking car parked in front of a ritzy mansion. As they approach the vehicle, they realize the car has been stolen, but it's not just any car; it's a rare vintage model worth over a million dollars.

The detectives quickly start their investigation and head to the mansion to question the owner of the car. The owner, businessman Harry Baylor, is a wealthy antique car collector who is hosting a party at his home. As the officers arrive, they witness a well-dressed woman driving in the stolen car at breakneck speed, and the officers chase her until she crashes into a fire hydrant.

The woman, named Barb, claims that Harry had given her permission to take the car as a birthday present. However, Harry denies any knowledge of the theft and insists he had nothing to do with it.

As the detectives delve deeper into the case, they uncover a convoluted web of deceit and betrayals involving Harry and his associates. They soon realize that Harry is not as innocent as he claims to be and that he may have orchestrated the theft as part of an insurance scam.

To prove their suspicions, Pete and Jim go undercover to gather evidence against Harry and his accomplices. They pose as insurance agents and approach the suspects, offering to pay them a handsome amount of cash if they provide information about the stolen car.

The detectives' plan works, and they get the evidence they need to make an arrest. However, as the officers prepare to take Harry and his cronies into custody, they encounter one last obstacle that puts their lives in danger.

"Million Dollar Buff" is a classic episode of Adam 12 that showcases the detectives' ingenuity and the dangers they face on a daily basis. The plot is intricate and engaging, and the performances of the actors are exceptional, particularly those of Martin Milner and Kent McCord, who play Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, respectively.

Overall, "Million Dollar Buff" is a must-watch episode for fans of police procedural dramas. The show's attention to detail, exciting car chases, and realistic depiction of police work make it one of the best TV shows of its time.