Mr. Beep, the talking car

Mr. Beep was a project initiated by the BP Oil Company in the late 50s and early 60s. Mr. Beep the talking car was used to bring traffic safety lessons to school children and he was used during public occasions like the Canadian National Exhibition, fall fairs and other public gatherings. He also visited schools and made several television appearances. Often Mr. Beep was used in conjunction with police school safety programs.

The car underneath the Mr. Beep’s facade was a small 1959 Zephyr convertible made by British Ford.

Mr. Beep was self propelled, and from 1959 to 1964 toured Ontario during the summer months giving safety lectures to school children. The lectures were broadcasted via 3 speakers concealed in the car, from a transmitter several hundred feet away. Using a microphone in  Mr. Beeps hood, the children were able to ask questions which were transmitted to the operator who then replied to the questions, effectively causing the car to talk to the children.

You can see Mr. Beep’s rebirth on the History Channel TV series Canadian Restorers which will air in the fall of 2013.

Do you recall ever meeting Mr. Beep?

We’d love to hear about your encounter with Mr. Beep the talking safety car. Please use the comment box below.