It's been a while since we've posted a music video. I thought I would share one of my favorite country videos of all time. Drive by Alan Jackson talks about sharing memories of growing up. I believe Alan wrote this song in dedication for this father Gene who passed way in 2000 and his three daughters. But why are we talking about this on On Screen Cars? Well there are some on screen cars of course! Mid-way through the video you'll see Alan talk about driving his dad's 1964 Ford F-100.
In the song Alan describes the pickup as being a handy-down from his uncle. As the story goes. Alan's uncle bought it new in 1964. It's unclear when his dad acquired the truck. But never the less it needed some work (burnt valves, dent in the door). Just as in the song the video shows a young boy and his dad driving down a dirt road called Thigpen Rd(Google Maps). The song talks about it being a three-speed on a column model. Which wasn't uncommon for the time. From my research I would say the truck had a straight six engine (223 or 262). The 292 V8 was avaliable for 64' but I couldn't imagine the 3-speed being super popular with a V8.
"Just an old half ton short bed ford
My Uncle bought new in 64
Daddy got it right cause the engine was smoking
A couple of burnt valves and he had it going
He'd let me drive her when we haul off a load
Down a dirt strip where we'd dump trash off of Thigpen Road
I'd sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedels
Smiling like a hero who just received his medal.."
Gotta love the last line of that verse! Pretty much the way I felt the first time my dad let me drive is 1987 Ford Bronco. Speaking of Broncos. There's also a 1977 Ford Bronco in this video. The song makes reference to him and his daughters riding around in a "Jeep." I believe the term was meant to be used loosely. Jeep of course is a brand name. But like anything else the name gets thrown around for everything with a removeable top and four-wheel drive.
I believe this first-generation Bronco is part of Allen Jackson's personal collection. Which wouldn't surprise me. Allen Jackson was a former mechanic and long-time gearhead. Just another reason to like Allen Jackson! If u notice in the video he's got it decked out pretty good. The top is off, roll bar installed. The doors are off. The windshield folded down. Just all kinds of win! Well that's all for now. Watch the video and let us know what you think in the comments! We'll be back with more On Screen Cars! Sorry for the absence!
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!
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