You probably remember the theme song. That brassy, disco-infused anthem that played while two motor officers cruised the Los Angeles freeway on their shiny Kawasaki motorcycles. CHiPs was more than just a TV show; it was a vibe. But lately, there’s been a weird bit of Mandela Effect-style confusion circulating in vintage circles about something called ponch and john chips.
Honestly, it’s a funny misunderstanding. People hear the word "CHiPs" and their brains immediately go to the snack aisle. If you search for these today, you’re likely to find a mix of two things: high-value 1970s action figures or a literal bag of potato chips. But did Frank "Ponch" Poncherello and Jon Baker actually have their own line of fried snacks?
The short answer is no, but the long answer is way more interesting because it involves the Wild West of 1970s licensing and why we’re still obsessed with Erik Estrada’s teeth fifty years later.
The Great Snack Confusion
Let's clear the air. There was never an official, mass-produced potato chip brand called ponch and john chips during the show's original run from 1977 to 1983. If you saw a bag with their faces on it, it was probably a local promotional item or a very clever bootleg.
What actually existed were CHiPs trading cards and a massive line of toys. Mego Corporation, the kings of 1970s action figures, held the license. They produced 8-inch and 3.75-inch figures of Ponch and Jon that are now worth a small fortune.
It's easy to see where the mix-up happens. The show’s title is literally an acronym for the California Highway Patrol. In the late 70s, marketing wasn't as "synergized" as it is now. Back then, if you wanted to sell something to kids, you put it on a lunchbox or made a plastic motorcycle. The idea of "Ponch's Jalapeño Crunchers" just wasn't on the radar of NBC executives.
Why We Think They Existed
Memories are slippery. A lot of the "ponch and john chips" talk comes from the fact that CHiPs was everywhere. You could buy:
- Mego Action Figures: Complete with the tan uniforms and those iconic mirrored sunglasses.
- Halloween Costumes: Usually a thin plastic mask and a vinyl smock that smelled like a pool float.
- Lunchboxes: The classic metal ones with the thermos.
- Board Games: Where you’d try to rack up "citations" without getting into a freeway pileup.
Because the word "Chips" is right there in the title, it’s become a bit of a linguistic trap. You tell someone you're looking for "Chips memorabilia," and half the time they'll point you toward a vintage Lay's display.
Actually, the closest the show ever got to the food industry was through tie-ins with fast-food chains or very specific regional promotions. But a dedicated snack brand? It never made it to the shelves of your local 7-Eleven.
The Value of Real CHiPs Collectibles
If you’re hunting for ponch and john chips because you want a piece of TV history, stop looking for snacks and start looking for the Mego 8-inch figures. These are the "Holy Grail" for fans.
A mint-in-box Ponch figure from 1978 can easily fetch over $100 today. If you have the "Sarge" (Joseph Getraer) figure, you're sitting on even more, as he was produced in smaller quantities. The motorcycles are the real headache for collectors. The plastic used back then was prone to "vinegar syndrome" or just plain snapping. Finding a Kawasaki Z1-P with both mirrors and the original decals intact is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Real-World Market Prices (Approximate)
- Loose Ponch Figure: $25 – $40
- Boxed 3.75" Twin Pack: $200+
- Original Metal Lunchbox: $50 – $85 depending on rust
- Helmet Set (Replica): $300+ (for high-end versions)
Super Seer Corporation actually still makes replica helmets. They even teamed up with Larry Wilcox (Jon Baker) to ensure the 7-Mary-3 decals were historically accurate. That’s the level of dedication this fanbase has.
The Cultural Staying Power
Why are we even talking about this in 2026? Because CHiPs represented a version of California that everyone wanted to live in. It was sun-drenched, the bad guys were usually just misguided surfers or petty thieves, and nobody ever got shot. It was "light" TV at its finest.
The chemistry between Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox was the engine. Even when they weren't getting along behind the scenes—and they famously didn't for a while—the "buddy cop" dynamic on screen was flawless.
When people search for ponch and john chips, they aren't usually looking for sodium and trans fats. They’re looking for that feeling of Saturday morning reruns and the sound of a 1000cc engine.
How to Spot Fake CHiPs Merch
Since there’s been a resurgence in "retro" style products, you’ll see a lot of modern T-shirts and "tribute" items online. If you’re looking for authentic 1970s gear:
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- Check the Copyright: Look for "MGM" or "NBC" and a date between 1977 and 1983.
- Feel the Plastic: 70s plastic has a specific weight and a slightly oily feel if it hasn't been stored well.
- The Box Art: Mego boxes used beautiful painted illustrations. Modern fakes usually use grainy screengrabs from the DVD sets.
You might see "custom" snack bags at fan conventions. These are fan-made. They’re cool, but they aren't "original" in the sense that they came from the 70s.
What to Do if You Want a Piece of the Show
If you’re serious about collecting, skip the search for the non-existent potato chips. Focus your energy on the CHiPs Trading Cards produced by Donruss in 1979. These are the most accessible way to get high-quality photos of the duo without spending a fortune.
A full set of 66 cards can be found for under $50 if you’re patient. It’s the best way to see the "ponch and john chips" (the guys themselves) in their prime.
To start your collection the right way, focus on these specific items:
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- Search for "Mego CHiPs 1978" on auction sites to find the original figures.
- Look for 1979 Donruss card packs to get authentic vintage photography.
- Check the CHP Museum (yes, it’s a real place in Sacramento) if you want to see the actual motorcycles used in filming.
Stop searching the pantry and start looking in the toy chest. The real treasure isn't a bag of snacks; it's the plastic and chrome from a decade when everyone wanted to be a motor officer.