Last minute arrangements leave you under the care and supervision of John Candy's character Uncle Buck. Sounds like a party doesn't? Well maybe not if you're Tina a teenage high schooler portrayed by Jean Louisa Kelly. But for good reason. Uncle Buck is going to be driving you around in his beat up float boat, brown turd looking street cruising machine for all your friends to see. He'll drive you to school in all it's smoking glory.That's right OnScreenCars.com is proud to present Uncle Bucks's pride and joy the mighty fine 1975 Mercury Marquis. Hold your ears and wait for the bang! But let's rewind time a little bit and look at what Uncle Buck or the previous owner may have started with.
"Bug: Ever hear of a tune-up? Hee hee hee hee hee.
Buck: Ah, heh heh heh. Ever hear of a ritual killing? Ah, heh heh heh heh heh
Bug: I don't get it.
Buck: You gnaw on her face in public like that again and you'll be one. Ah, heh heh heh heh! "
From the factory the 1975 Mercury Marquis was your typical big american land yacht of a car. The Marquis was the sister car to the Ford LTD. While the boys in blue hauled the bad boys in the Ford, business-persons where being floated along down the street in luxury. 1975 was the first year of the luxurious Grand Marquis trim level. Two engines were available this year, 460 V8 Ford BB and 400 V8 from the Cleveland family. No shortage of power to move this beast around. Something noteworthy, this was the first year for catalytic converters. This was nearing the end of an era of gas drinking beasts. Not to mention the mid-dawn of cautious insurance companies and strict government regulations. Dispite all of that mess the Mercury Marquis was voted over Olds 98 LS and Cadillac's Sedan de Ville in 1975, 1976. Check out this great video of a pristine looking 1975 Mercury Marquis. Now to clear up any confusion.
"Stand me up today and tomorrow I'll drive you to school in my robe and pajamas and WALK you to your first class. 4:00 okay?" - Uncle Buck
Uncle Buck's car was a base model four-door Mercury Marquis Brougham not a Grand Mercury Marquis. Complete with smoking exhaust, back firing V8, ripped up interior, banged up body, large CB ball mount antenna on the rear driver's quarter panel and CB radio sticking out of the glove box. Let's not forget about years of dust and dirt coating the exterior of the car. I love the classic scene (see the clip below) of Uncle Buck dropping his niece Tina off at high school. The car comes smoking furiously down the street as it turns into the drop off lane. Kids are coughing and gagging on the exhaust flumes. All the while Buck is paused and waiting for that magical back fire that sounds like a cannon going on. Then BOOM! Everyone hits the ground like their being shot at. If that doesn't embarrassed you nothing will.
Just a classic scene. There were some other notable scenes from the movie involving the car. But much more of the same and I'm out of time today. But look forward to seeing more from us here at OnScreenCars.com!
You're reading this correctly. The Batman Returns Batmobile is up for sale on eBay. While doing some research for the blog this morning, I came across this auction for the 1992 production car created and used in the film. The seller claims to be selling for a private owner. I remember seeing this car up for sale once before. I also remember as a kid seeing ads for a grand price give away for this same car. Man wouldn't it be sweet.
As of writing this article, current bid shows $150,000 with an unknown reserve not met. According to the seller's post the car originally cost Warner Brothers a cool 1.5 million dollars to produce. I could see a lot of that budget being sucked into the custom body shell. The car is built on an enlarged Impala frame with an overall wheel base of 140 inches, no year given. Under the hood is a 350 Small Block Chevrolet V8. It's got a B&M ratchet action shifter in the console for banging those auto gears while fleeing the scene. There's a removable steering wheel a must have, considering there are no doors just a top hatch. Looks like the dash is layout nicely like an aircraft cockpit. Mickey Thompson rubber on all four corners. I bet Michael Keaton had fun driving this one.
I'll keep my eye on this one and let you know if it sells. I'm not sure if it will. All depends on how high the reserve is and if there are any serious bidders out there. I did notice that the seller added a disclosure near the end saying that Warner Brothers reserves the right to approve of the future owner. I guess they don't just want anyone driving around in the Batmobile. See ya next time, same OnScreenCars.com time and same OnScreenCars.com channel Bat Guys and Bat Girls.
A new Fast Five trailer is out featuring another round of cars and sex appeal. The latest and possibly the last trailer release is a little more than a teaser. Checkout the clip above for another glimpse of the Dodge Chargers, Ford GTs and Lexus LFA. Not to mention that sweet custom 1966 Corvette Grand Sport. Looks like we'll have plenty to look at this spring. The release is scheduled for April 29, 2011.
This past week the grand prize winner of Carl's Jr. Green Hornet Sweepstakes was announced. Jonathon Hanington of Tualatin Oregon is now the proud owner of a 1965 Chrysler Imperial used in the film's making. According to an article on Oregonlive.com, Jonathon wasn't even hoping to win. He just picked up the cup he received with his Double Western Burger and entered the code on the side. Talk about luck! But hey at least that cup didn't end up unclaimed in the bottom of a landfill somewhere.
The article went on to say that Jonathon is a 27 year old full nursing student and has no plans to get rid of the non-street legal car. He was given the option of a similar car used in the film that is street legal. But hey why not choose the one valued at $275,000 and comes equipped with two fake guns huh? Talk about a car with some street appeal. Jonathon does have plans to lease the machine out to dealerships and auto shows.
In the video above you can see and hear him crank up that Chevrolet Big Block engine. Yea that's right this 'Black Beauty' is powered by Chevy. If you've read our previous feature on the cars used in the film you would know all about it. I'll let ya browse on over there. Till next time keep your hood mounted guns packed away and those wheels safely roll'n.
Looks like the Speed Channel has something new for us car nuts this week. Car Warriors, a new series springs up on Wednesday nights at 9pm starting Feb. 23rd 2011. The series Car Warriors will feature a custom car build off style competition between classic car building stars and local hot rod shop guys and girls. Not to mention an all star panel of judges to include legendary George Barris, `King of the Kustomizers`, So-Cal Speed Shop�s Jimmy Shine - Star of `Hard Shine` and �Mad Mike Martin - Star of `Pimp My Ride`.
The set of the show is at the famous Ted Moser's Picture Car Warehouse at the Los Angeles Center Studios. For those are not familiar with this venue's history, let's just say it's where they build and store a lot of the famous TV/Movie cars we talk about on this blog. Now that we've covered the who and where, what about the "what"? Well the "what" is the objective of the show. Which is the fact two teams of eight (stars vs. locals) using the shop's resources will have just 72 hours to design, dissemble, build and polish 2 cars to be judged by the star panel. The task of building these monsters in such a tight time frame will be sure to test the wits, stamina and skills of it's contestants. We're looking forward to see what materializes out of this series. I'm sure we'll all be in for a surprise. You can find out more about this series at SpeedTv.com See ya next time!
