15 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Sanford and Son’

7. The Truck is a Collectors Item

Fred Sanford’s truck on the show, a 1951 Ford F1, has managed to keep itself running throughout the years, changing hands between a variety of collectors. After the series it was bought at auction, from there moving to a real junk dealer, before it was finally bought by BlueLine Classics, a car dealership in Ohio.

8. The Show Was Still Popular When It Was Canned

After six seasons on NBC, Sanford and Son was still extremely popular, raking in great ratings. Unfortunately — presumably because Red Foxx could be a bit of a handful — the show was cancelled unceremoniously. Of course, several cast members would go on to prominent careers, but that doesn’t change the fact that we could have (theoretically) gotten more out of the show.

9. The Cleavon Little Connection

Before he got the role as Lamont, Demond Wilson actually appeared in an episode of All in the Family (as a robber). He played opposite Blazing Saddles’ star Cleavon Little. It was also Little who recommended Red Foxx for the part of the ever-scheming Fred Sanford. Little himself was actually offered a role on the show, but he was forced to pass on the project due to prior commitments.