Nellybelle

The most memorable thing about the Gene Autrey Show for me, as a small boy, was Pat Buttram's love for his mount, Nellybell(e?), I believe Nelly was a Jeep, and Pat Buttram drove it hard, using and treating her as if it was a horse. He was quite heavy, and often would drive fast, then brake hard. I vividly remember the tremulous voice with him calling: "Whoa! Nellybelle!" as he struggled to keep it under control.

Nellybelle inspired the name of one of my dad's cars. He'd had two cars with a "-belle" ended name, and I suggested "Nellybelle" to carry on.