 The show was inspired by the film _Great Race, The (1965)_ (qv).  Natalie Wood (I) (qv) (playing Maggie DuBois) became Penelope  Pitstop (even wearing the same pink racing outfit). Dick Dastardley  was based on Jack Lemmon (qv)s character Professor Fate and  Dastardleys sidekick Muttley was loosely based on  Peter Falk (I) (qv)s Max Meen.