UPDATE! The Carpenters Had a Sweet Custom Van and I Want to Do Bong Hits in It Right Now

"Powered by... Bear"

UPDATE 2/15/2019: Thanks to the efforts of PDGB reader Benjamin Kleschinsky, we finally have some clarity regarding the mysterious "Powered By Bear" tagline painted on the Carpenter's van:

"I did a lot of research about this photo, and as it turns out this photo was tampered with. Above the word "Bear" was another person, the actual Bear. "Powered by Bear" referred to their road manager who drove the van that carried their equipment, their first cousin Mark Rudolph. I have linked the original photograph scanned onto computer. Many thanks to the many people who helped me find the answer."

We'd like to echo Benjamin's comments and extend a hearty PDGB thanks to the people who assisted him in solving this pressing matter. Now with further delay, here is the actual unedited photo:

The image can also be viewed on Kleschinsky's Flickr page.

Who is this "BEAR," and why was he chosen to power Karen and Richard Carpenter's van? We can tell it's a Ford Eonoline and appears to be wearing AAR wheels, but so many questions remain: What was the extent of Bear's involvement? Did they own an actual live bear that could drive? If so, did his big paws make it difficult to handle the tricky one-two shift of the old three-on-the-tree column-mounted shifter?  Did Donny and Marie have a custom van? What about The Cowsills? Were Richard's business-casual elephant bell denims custom made? Do you think Karen would bogart a roach? Would people ignore pleas to, "Don't come a knockin'," if the van was, in fact, "A-rockin'?" Which is more depressing: Rainy days or Mondays? If you know the answers to any of these questions, please share in the comments.

Fun Fact: Before Richard found stardom with his sis, he was fired from Disneyland because his music was considered to be, "too radical."