During the 1970s run, Barris told Edwards during the fourth season (1976–1977) that he wanted to make The New Treasure Hunt even more sadistic for the upcoming fifth season (1977–1978) – an example being that the contestant would be shown a very expensive car (such as a Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, or Mercedes-Benz) but, after the excitement subsided, learn that the prize was only a small part of the vehicle (such as the rear-view mirror).
The passage describes how Barris planned to make the fifth season of "The New Treasure Hunt" more cruel by presenting contestants with expensive cars, like Rolls-Royces or Ferraris, but then revealing that the prize was only a small part of the car.