The actor who played the father, David McLean, was the original Marlboro Man who eventually testified against the tobacco industry after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Joe Besser's autobiography indicates that he was cast as Art, the next-door neighbor. A different actor appears in that role. If the discrepancy was due to the role being re-cast, Joe's book makes no mention of the change. Besser does not appear in the final cut of this film.
The family car is a rear-engine Renault Dauphine, probably a 1956 or 1957.