Andre Braugher Drove a Seriously Underappreciated Convertible in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
Andre Braugher, one of the celebrated stars behind the laugh-out-loud comedy show “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” made his impression on viewers season after season. Tragically, Braugher left behind adoring fans after his untimely passing on December 11, 2023. However, before he passed, he gifted Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s enthusiastic fanbase with belly laughs and progressive humor. Moreover, his character, New York Police Department (NYPD) Captain Raymond Holt, drove a chronically underappreciated car: a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder.
Andre Braugher drove a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder as Raymond Holt
Braugher’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” character, NYPD Captain Raymond Holt, is many things. Pioneering openly gay police captain battling institutional racism? Check. But he certainly wouldn’t be judged a petrolhead at a glance. Well, his choice of car would brand him such.
“Gertie,” as Holt lovingly labeled his 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder, was one of the character’s most treasured possessions. The red Chevrolet convertible is an understated and underappreciated ride, especially after Ralph Nader’s scathing indictment of the model in “Unsafe at Any Speed.”
Specifically, Nader and critics point out that the Corvair employed a swing-axle suspension, per Gold Eagle Co. The swing axle system, an early adaptation of independent suspension, was dangerous at high speeds and in high-stress driving situations. Paired with the lack of a sway bar, the Corvair became a tail-happy handful. Of course, many hot rodders fix the issue with suspension upgrades and swaps. Considering Holt’s habitual thoroughness, it’s within reason to imagine the NYPD captain fixed Gertie’s high-speed instability.
Andre Braugher’s on-screen car had a rough go of things
Andre Braugher’s on-screen 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder didn’t have an easy life. In an episode with Craig Robinson playing notorious car thief Doug Judy, criminals made off with Gertie. Unfortunately, Gertie’s destination was a chop shop. Jake Peralta, played by Andy Samberg, replaced the Corvair with a similar convertible.
