It's not everyday that someone gets to realize a dream. But thanks to the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction this past weekend and $110,000. Pro Golfer Bubba Watson got to realize his childhood dream of owning a real Dukes of Hazzard General Lee 1969 Dodge Charger. Now some say if you're gonna dream, you might as well dream big. This is where the story gets better. Not only is the car a real Charger used in the show. It is the very first General Lee! Otherwise known to fans as "LEE1." You may recall our article on the famous LEE1. It's worth a look! Find out why this Charger is so special!
Call of Duty fans have been storming the stores to pickup the latest and greatest in the franchise, Black Ops. This first person shooter the follows the life and missions of black ops personal who is being interrogated. You play through parts of the 1960's during the Cold War. This game is amazing. But what does this mean for OnScreenCars.com fans? Well the creators of the game teamed up with automaker Jeep to inject an on screen car in the game, a special Black Ops Edition 2011 Jeep Wrangler.
The Jeep in the game is designed to look period correct. While the Jeep in real life is modern. Checkout the trailer for the game below. The Black Ops Edition 2011 Jeep Wrangler is a modified version of their popular Rubicon Jeep. It's available in two and four door models and only in black on black color combination. If ya had a Black Ops Jeep why would you want it any other way? Just below the cowl line on the fender sports two Call of Duty: Black Ops logos. The off-road worthy Rubicon is wrapped in MOPAR tail light guards and MOPAR fuel filler cover. All the while riding on 32 inch tires mounted on blacked out Rubicon wheels. Front and rear locking differentials pushed by a 2-speed transfer case insures you're ready to grab all fours on the hash battlefield terrain.
Not to mention get you in time for your next ball game. Even NBA star Kobe Bryant has been seen sporting a new Black Ops Edition Jeep Wrangler. Baller Bryant was presented the ride prior to the season opener game. I wonder if he'll be taken in all the rugged features or not. I bet he's a closet gamer himself. Hey! There's nothing wrong with a little Black Ops on the side. Not a bad gift. The four door model retails for $33k while the two door just over $30k. Speaking of other stars I wonder how R. Lee Ermey would favor with one?
In closing I think Jeep has an awesome package with this one. This would not be the first non-military Jeep sporting a military look. Jeep has been known for production of special edition models like this. But I think this may be the first national release that is tailored after a video game. Great combination I must add. If you haven't played the game you can pick it up through our Amazon links below. Anything you buy through our links helps support our site. Till next time keep your battle machines ready as we bring you another OnScreenCars.com entry. Now drop down and give me 20!
How many movies do you know that the title of the film is the same as the feature car? Unless the film title is completely about the car, it's pretty rare. But Gran Torino is entitled well for the premise of the movie. Because, to main character Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood, this 1972 Gran Torino Sport is his most prized possession.
After returning from the war in Korea, Walt worked for Ford Motor Company in Detroit, where he built his Gran Torino alongside fellow assembly line workers. As you can see the car is in perfect shape, just as the day it was built. Unfortunately, Walt, now widowed and much older, is not in perfect shape. He is frustrated that his neighborhood is now populated almost entirely with people who remind him of the war. His health is failing and his mind is more troubled than ever. Gangs are causing trouble for the rest of the neighborhood and safety is a major concern.
The Gran Torino is nearly stolen by one of the neighborhood kids, Hmong who is trying to become a member of a gang. Hmong's family insists that he repay for the damage he's caused Walt. After doing chores and helping Walt out, Hmong and Walt become friends. For those who have not seen the movie, I want to stop there. Let's talk about the car a little bit.
Car Specs
As I've pointed out before, the car is 1972 Gran Torino Sport. There were 496,645 Torinos produced by Ford in 1972. However only 92,033 were Gran Torino Sport models, like the one featured in the movie. What makes the Gran Torino Sport special? At first glance, one would notice integrated hood scoop. All of the Sport models had the scoop, however they're only functional with the rare Ram Air Induction package. Some of the Sport models also had the "Magnum 500" wheels as this one does. The laser stripe on the side is an optional piece for the Sport models, and '72 was the first year the stripe ran down the full length of the car.
The base power plant for the Grand Torino Sport is the 302 C.U. Windsor V8 2 barrel. However 351W, 351 Cleveland, 400 and 429 were all available as well. These motors will built for low compression (8.5:1) for better fuel economy, thus reducing horsepower as well. 1972 was the beginning of the end for muscle car era. That's part of what makes it a perfect fit for the movie. Both the car and the main character were part of a time that was challenging and difficult for some people to accept. Frozen in time, the car and character struggle to move on in a new changing world.
eBay Find
When watching featured cars, I often wonder "Where did they get these cars?" Well I did a little research about the '72 Gran Torino in the movie and traced down an article from the Cassville Democrat. The Missouri paper did a special article about the car and it's previous owner, Jim Craig. Jim said the car was a "barn-find," but was in decent shape mechanically. He had the car for about five years before doing a full restoration. The car was kept original as it is in the film. The car was not bought directly from Jim by Warner Brothers, but through a classic car dealer on eBay. Until the film was released, Jim didn't know his car was the car featured in the film.
Historical Inaccuracy
I really enjoyed the film. However I do have one issue with it. In the movie Walt talks about working on a production line and how he installed the steering column in his car. Being a car buff, I had to look up the production plants that made Gran Torinos. Not to my surprise, '72 Gran Torinos were not made in Detroit. This makes for a little historical inaccuracy in the film. But I don't think it takes away from the over-all quality of the movie. Hollywood does something like this in every production. There are very few perfectly historic films. I think they like to leave things like this for us to talk about.
Final Thoughts
I think it's a great film. I really enjoyed watching this movie in Blue Ray. I would say it was my first Blue Ray experience. On a 47 inch screen in high def, Clint Eastwood looked about 7 foot tall and appeared to be in the same room. Yea I know, I'm exaggerating. I would recommend buying this film to be part of a car movie collection! As a matter of fact, it's in our gift shop (Gran Torino Section)! Check that out, while we roll out the next On Screen Cars article!
Update: The guys over at GranTorinoSport.org forum have confirmed the engine in the movie car is a 351C 2V with CobraJet Heads. Thanks for all your help guys!
"The Homer" is a fictional car featured during an early episode of The Simpsons. The episode is from the show's second season, and is entitled "Oh Brother Where Art Thou." It features a number of personal add-ons requested by Homer Simpson. What an interesting piece of automotive fiction! Could you imagine something like this?
The Homer: Features
Large beverage holders
Little ball on top the aerial
Bowling mascot on the hood
Horns that play La Cucaracha
Sound-proof bubble for the kids
Huge motor
Big Fins
The Episode Plot
Homer is reunited with his long lost bother, Herbert Powell, the owner of "Powell Motors." After a brief phone conversation, Herbert invites Homer to visit his home in Detroit. Once in Detroit, Homer and Herb begin to get to know each other better. Herb quickly falls in love with the Simpsons. Uncle Herb spoils his the kids with vacations and gifts. He offers to help the family out with a new car. However, Homer is unable to find a suitable automobile from the Powell Motors line-up. Herb, already frustrated with his board of directors, commissions Homer to design a new car.
Herb's challenge to Homer is to build a car for the everyday person. However, as soon as Homer met with the engineers, his ideas were quickly pushed aside. Luckily though, Herb steps in and forces them to listen to Homer's ideas. They were pretty crazy, I might add. Homer takes over every aspect of the design. He comes up with large beverage holders, a little ball on the aerial, a separate sound-proof dome for the kids, etc.
"...power like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a nerf ball..."
At the unveiling, it was presented as "The Homer, The Car Built for Homer." They show a video of Homer driving down the winding road. Then the curtain is dropped, and the car is shown. The final cost of all the features totaled $82,000. Naturally, the car failed, the company went out of business, and Herb left his only brother, saying he wanted nothing to do with poor Homer. Sad story. But what a funny car!
Thoughts about "The Homer"
This is one of my favorite episodes for obvious reasons. But I admire the fact that, even though it's a cartoon, it isn't too far off from some of the concepts that international automakers have attempted. I did some research, and found Pontiac's failed concept car "The Stinger." I think this is a fairly good example of a real life version of "The Homer." Not to mention they're both green and have a ton of features that no one could ever fully utilize.
I think "The Homer", reminds me of a cross between a Rolls Royce, the Popemobile and an ice cream truck. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense. But look at it! The grill and front-end look like a Rolls Royce, the second bubble looks like the Popemobile, and the color and wackiness reminds me of an ice cream truck! What are your thoughts on the "The Homer?" Comment and let us know what you think! Stay tuned for more exciting On Screen Cars.
From Twitter @bubbawatson
