Stumbling around on eBay this morning and found another movie car in the listings. This time it's one of the five 1972 Dodge Challengers used in the production of In Time. You may remember our previous post talking about the trailer for the movie. From auction details I've learned that this car is one of three close-up cars. The close-up cars were not used in stunts. Some collectors find them more desirable because they have been used hard and generally have more screen time. Now for the details.
The car itself is a 1972 Dodge Challenger with a 440 V8 big block backed up by an automatic transmission. From the photo below you can see that engine compartment is very clean. If you look closely in the pictures you can spot a pistol-grip shifter. The pistol-grip only comes on a 4-speed manual. One of the stunt vehicles is a stick. For consistency the producers had the shifters retro-fitted for the automatic vehicles as well. The grill, tail panels and wheels are completely custom for this car. The interior is signed by the builder. Of course it wouldn't be a police car without lights.
This car will be on the auction block for some time. As of this writing it had 18 days to go with bidding at $28,990.00. That's all for now.
How about something for less than 20 bucks? Stocking stuffer? Every Back to the Future fan should have a Marty McFly replica cap. Athough I'm still waiting on mine. Someone has yet to get me one. lol. Hey isn't 2015 just around the corner? According to the movie this should be in style right? Still waiting on the flying cars. Oh well. There's some other great Amazon - Back to the Future goodies below as well. See ya next time. Remember the future is what you make it. So make it a good one.
I came across this great image through Ghostbusters.net's Facebook page. It's a mashup of 80's movies created by Deviant Art member: mestre-du-temple. I like how he included the Delorean Time Machine with Ferris Bueller and his friends riding in it. You can also see Marty Mcfly hanging from the door-frame on a hover board. Then there's Lisa from Weird Science holding Gizmo. That's just a few of the references. Can you spot them all?
I think everyone can agree that National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a Christmas Classic. I know my brother and I watch it every year. My office co-workers and I are constantly referencing the movie during the holidays. But one scene in the movie I think that is often over-looked is the car chase and big jump during the beginning of the movie. It could be that we're too busy getting settled in with our drinks and snacks to take note. But not this year! We want to commemorate the big jump scene as an OnScreenCars.com "Famous Jump." With that let's explore the scene.
The Scene
The opening scene is set in rural Illinois. The Griswolds are on their way to find that perfect Christmas Tree. However according to the filming locations reference on IMDB. The scene was shot in Summit County Colorado near Breckenridge. I have to say. It does makes sense. I don't recall rocky mountains in rural Illinois. In the picture above you can see the rockies in the background. That's the magic of Hollywood isn't it? Now for a little background on the car.
The Car
The family car in this film unlike it's predecessor is not a custom creation of George Barris. The simulated woodgrain on the side of the body was more than likely was added on. The Ford Taurus Wagon either did not come with this feature or it was extremely limited in production. However it did come on the Ford Country Squire Wagon being sold at the same time. I have a belief that the producers had the woodgrain on the car to pay tribute to the orignal Wagon Queen Family Truckster. I like to think of it as an updated Family Truckster.
The Jump
According to the commentary Dick Ziker was a stunt coordinator and stunt-driver that drove the car under the truck. He also did the jump. From the commentary it sounds like the jump was challenge because the car was front-wheel drive. You have to remember the 80's were the beginning of mass-production of front-wheel drive cars. A front-wheel drive is heavier in the front and less balanced as a real wheel drive car. They director said the car kept wanting to nose dive as the car came down from the jump. I'm glad they brought it up and that the jump was in fact real. No special effects. So there we have it. Another Famous Jump! Besure to check out our great links to Amazon Christmas Vacation goodies! Happy Holidays Folks!
Let's talk about Treehouse of Horror XXIII after Thanksgiving? Yes. I know this is old news. Halloween has long been over. But like Treehouse of Horror this article will not get posted on Halloween! So what's the big deal? Well. How about the fact The Simpsons writers treated their fans to a Back to the Future Parody? Sure ok. That's worth talking about.
It all started with a book. A book with some heavy foreshadowing! Great Scott! Is that a Prius Time Machine? Really Matt Groening? Oh well. I think it's cute. But if you think about it. What modern day vehicle would you have used? The Prius does have a more 80's box shape too it. I guess Doc Brown would have thought it was neat at least. I do think he wouldn't have said " If you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?."
Let's just throw in some science-fictional reasoning in here. "Sure hmm. The hybird setup can generate the 1.21 jigga-watts of electricity needed to make time travel possible..." Ah that'a work. But can a Prius do 88 mph? Ah it's a parody who cares. lol. Anyways the story goes on to tell how Bart messes up the timeline and ends up with all these Homers from other timelines. I thought it was beautifully done. There are some great references in there. I won't spoil it. See ya next time! Remember the future is what you make it. If you do invent time travel. Please don't use a Prius!
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