On Screen Cars

Can you imagine what 100+ Smokey and the Bandit themed cars would look like? Would you like to see it? We’ll listen up! For those who are not familiar with the Bandit Run events. Let me fill ya in. Since 2007 a large group of Smokey and Bandit fans have gathered each summer to cruise across the country. The first Bandit Run event in 2007 commemorated the 30th Anniversary of the first film, by retracing the original route taken by Bandit, Frog and Snowman. The cruise lasted three days along a route from Texarkana, TX to Atlanta, GA. Now’s your chance to get in on the action! The details for Bandit Run 2010 have been announced at Motortopia.com This year’s Bandit Run event will start out in Braselton, GA on May 15th and end in Orlando, Fl on May 20th.
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Just this last week, Gorillaz released a new music video featuring some cool muscle cars. Not to mention a surprising special guest. The new video is to help promote their upcoming album, Plastic Beach. For those who are not familiar with Gorillaz, let me give you a short introduction. Gorillaz are a virtual band created after comic book series Tank Girl. It’s members are Russel, 2D, Murdoc and Noddle. The actual musical performers vary from song to song. It’s a very interesting concept to say the least. But enough about the band. Let’s talk about the video.

Each Gorillaz video tells a part in a never ending story. I’m not currently up to date with what’s going on in the story, other than the fact their escaping to an island. But this video starts out with the gang racing through the desert in a 1969 Camaro SS. They’re being chased down by a cop in hot pursuit. Noodle-bot manages to shoot at the cop till the cop runs off the road and crashes through a billboard (very Dukes of Hazzard like). Things are fine for the moment, till they pass Bruce Wills in a 1968 El Camino. Bruce Willis starts chasing down the group and tries to gun them down. He successfully shoots out the back window and driver side mirror. The chase goes on as Bruce’s El Camino pushes Murdoc harder. Some nitrous effects are used and they escape only for Bruce Willis to catch up again later. The chase ends with the crew running off a cliff into the water, where the car turns into a shark. Let’s talk about the cars!
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If you had dinosaur ranch on a remote island what vehicle would you use to get around? The Jeep Wrangler was Universal’s answer as to the vehicle of choice for Jurassic Park’s staff transportation. You know, the Jeep is perfect for getting up and down through terrain, transporting stolen embryos and running from dinosaurs. At least that was the case for the Wranglers in the film.

Base Jeep

The base vehicle for Jurassic Park Jeeps were 1992 Jeep Wranglers (YJ). The Jeeps were the “Sahara” trim level which included a few exterior extras such as alloyed wheels, colored fender flares, step board and front bumper mounted fog lamps. Interior options were special trail-cloth seats and removable doors with pockets. All 1992 Saharas came with the 4.0 liter 6 cylinder standard.* All the Jeeps used in the film appear to have manual transmissions. However automatic transmissions magically appear from time to time (kinda like how the General Lee switches back and forth through the Dukes of Hazzard series).*

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Photo Credit: Autoblog.com

Meet the FireBreather, a custom 2010 Chevrolet Camaro built for the up coming film Jinn. This hero car was built for Exodus Pictures by Classic Design Concepts of Novi, Michigan. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS was used as the base car. As you see there is a wealth of body mods on the car. The front nose, styling lines and graphics look like they pay tribute to Pontiac Trans Am. Note the four headlight setup and grill design. The car features a black and red color scheme with custom wheels. The wheels have the FireBreather graphics on the center caps. Performance mods include Elbach springs and Pirelli PZero Rosso tires. In addition to the movie production cars, there will be 50 cars released for sale. Pricing will start around $60,000.

Reference: AutoBlog.com, Exodus Pictures, the-firebreather.com, Classic Design Concepts

Maserati On the Set of Percy Jackson - Flickr: eyesplash

Above is another interesting vehicle from the movie hit, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Lightning Thief. Not sure of the year at the moment. But it is a Maserati 4200 GT. This car may be one of the most expensive cars seen on this site yet. The base price of a Maserati 4200 GT is around $110,000 US Dollars. But why use a Maserati for this movie?

Well some believe it maybe due to the fact the Maserati emblem is a Trident. The Trident is a three pronged spear once used in fishing and as a weapon in combat. The Trident is also the symbol for the Greek God Poseidon, God of the Sea. According to the story of Percy Jackson, Percy is the son of Poseidon. Now that makes a little more sense. Otherwise any other available vehicle would have been fine. But why not do it with style?

Spoiler Alert Below!

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OnScreenCars.com is proud to present our newest segment on our blog “Fan Created Rides.” In commemoration of this event we’re presenting the ECTO-1X. This custom 2008 Chevrolet HHR was modeled after the 1959 Cadillac Ambulance featured in the Ghostbusters movies. Jason Rawley of Fireblade Comics came up with the concept after seeing the HHR for the first time. He had intentions of designing a concept based on the PT Cruiser, but he quickly decided that the HHR was much better suited as a platform for the ECTO-1X. Jason also had help from his fellow Tampa Bay Ghostbusters group members. After months of planning and design, him and his crew built/constructed the modification.

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Looks like DeLorean Motor Company, the company who made the base car for the Back to the Future Time Machine is back! During a recent interview, Jay Leno spoke with the new president of DMC, Steve Wynn. Wynn bought the remains of DMC and has since rebuilt the company. They are currently selling refurbished DeLoreans. They have made some improvements to the old designs and are exploring possibilities of offering a new product. This is an excellent opportunity for generations of Back to the Future fans to own a restored DeLorean! In the video above Jay takes one of the refurbished products out for a test drive. You can tell Jay has a love for the car. So do we! You can find out more about the new DeLorean Motor Company from our reference links below. They also have a YouTube Channel as well!

Check out the new Hot Wheels ‘81 DeLorean DMC-12 1:64 Scale Diecast

Reference:Jay Leno’s Garage, DeLorean.com, YouTube (DMC Channel)

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In the words of Arnold Jackson you might be saying, “What you talk’n about Willis, there wasn’t a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am on Diff’erent Strokes!” Believe it or not, yes there was! During a special two part episode in Season 6. Phillip and the boys travel to Hollywood to try and win back his girlfriend, Maggie. While in Hollywood he sends Arnold and Willis to a tour a film/tv production set. The two wonder away from the tour group to find the set of Knight Rider.

As they reach the Knight Rider set, David Hasselhoff drives up in KITT. The security guard doesn’t let the boys go any further. However that isn’t enough to stop the determined duo from running onto the set. Arnold and Willis duck into a prop cop car and are about to be blown up. This is where the first part of the two part episode ends. Different Stroke fans had to wait till the following week to find out. However you can find the second part on YouTube.

Final Thoughts

Many ’80s television shows had cross-over episodes like this one from time to time. Shows on the same network would have characters from other shows pop-up on a regular bases. It seems like you don’t see this quality on newer shows. In this case Arnold and Willis show up on the set of Knight Rider. How else would two shows like Different Strokes and Knight Rider come together? I think that’s part of the magic of an ’80s tv show. We’ll be sure to bring you more On Screen Cars action from the ’80s and more! Stay tuned!

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