I thought I would share a YouTube find with you. This is a fan created crossover video between Knight Rider and The Simpsons. As you can see it's a remake of the original Knight Rider opening credits as if it were a Simpsons cartoon. I give two thumbs up to whomever came up with this idea! It must have taken a lot of time to put this together. One of my favorite parts is where it shows the "Normal Cruise" light and then the "Tom Cruise" light on the dash. That's priceless! I could see Homer asking Kitt for a beer or driving him home from Moe's. What do you think? What would Homer do in David Hasselhoff's shoes? Let us know by posting a comment!
It's a safe bet that if you lived through the '90s and watched TV, that you've seen the show Family Matters. When I was growing up, I know my family sure did. Family Matters was an every Friday night affair. The whole cast and characters were great. But it was Steve Urkel who really made the show come alive. But how many of you remember Urkel's car?
Who could forget that crazy little BMW Isetta? Steve's car was featured several times throughout the series. The car first appeared in episode 76, entitled "Driving Carl Crazy." The episode starts with Steve being excited about getting a BMW. His uncle gave it to him as a bribe to keep him away. Steve is dying to learn how to drive to impress his wanna-be girlfriend Laura. However no one will show him how to drive. Carl, Laura's dad, reluctantly volunteers to teach Steve how to drive. All of this is going on while Carl is trying a new technique to lower his blood pressure. As with everything else that happens between Carl and Steve, it doesn't end well. Carl's blood pressure spikes as an overly-excited Steve backs through the garage door. The clip below shows the scene where the Isetta first appears on screen.
The car is spotted off and on throughout the rest of the series. There were two other episodes that Steve's Isetta played a big part in the show. For example episode 98, "It Didn't Happen One Night" Laura oversleeps and misses her ride to a cheer-leading competition in Cincinnati. Steve volunteers to drive Laura to the competition in the Isetta. The two head out on the road, and Laura quickly becomes frustrated by the slow speed of the Isetta (top speed of 53 mph). She stomps on the gas and pushes it hard, only to have engine failure shortly after. The two end up staying in a hotel later that night.
The last episode the car was featured in was number 129, "Paradise Bluff." At this point in the series Steve is dating a girl named Myra, who is madly in love with him. The two are on a date in the Isetta, parked at a make-out point called Paradise Bluff. Things are not going so well for the couple. Myra gives Steve an ultimatum to commit to her or its over. In the heat of discussion the car lurches forward over the cliff. The Isetta is lost, but the two escape just in time. To our knowledge this is the last time the car was seen on the show.
Final Thoughts
Steve Urkel's BMW Isetta will live on in the hearts of millions of Family Matters fans. I think it's one of the funniest looking TV cars of all time. It's a perfect car for the perfect nerd. Granted there is nothing special about the Isetta used in the show. It's a stock BMW Isetta. It's the story behind the car that makes it interesting. Till next time keep your suspenders tight and your pocket protector in check, while we work on bringing you more On Screen Cars!
Update: Have you seen the new 2011 BMW Isetta? Do you think Steve Urkel would approve?
The March 2010 cover of Hot Rod Magazine features an exciting concept vehicle inspired by the movie Smokey and the Bandit. It's creator Kevin Morgan came up with the concept nearly as soon as the 5th Generation Camaro concept was introduced. He started out drawing up some Trans Am concepts based off the Camaro. He presented and sold prints at car shows and they became an instant success. His first big break came when he displayed and sold the prints at the 2007 Bandit Run event.
At the Bandit Run event, Kevin caught the attention of legendary car designer Chip Foose. He also got an interview with the producers from the DIY Network (Do It Yourself Network). DIY did a special about the Burt Reynolds, Year One Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am. Kevin got to be part of the show! Later at the Bandit Run, he made contacts with the editors of Hot Rod Magazine at the Bandit Run dinner. He describes the experience that day, like being on "Cloud Nine". This event followed by a chain of other events later, lead to the production of the Kevin Morgan Concept Trans Am.
Concept Car
In 2009 the first car was built out of collaboration between Kevin Morgan Designs and Otto Body. The car is referred as the "Phoenix." The Phoenix was on display by the group at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas, NV. An official announcement has been made by Trans Am Depot and Otto Body that cars will be available for sale. However no word has been said about an official conversion kit. But the parts included in the covered product are listed on their website. I would imagine there is a lengthy waiting list for these cars.
Features [from Otto Body's Website]
Exterior
1' - 1.5' Lowering Kit w/sway bar handling upgrade
Wheels & Tires
Front: 20x9.5x120 CB-66.9 Gold or Silver Machined Face Snowflake Wheels. PIRELLI PZERO 275/45ZR20
Rear: 20x11.5x120 CB-66.9 Gold or Silver Machined Face Snowflake Wheels. PIRELLI PZERO 305/35ZR20
Hood
Shaker Scoop
Fender Extractors
Exhaust Conversion w/ splitter tips
Rear Fascia Clip w/tail lamp lenses and bulbs
Rear Spoiler
TA Graphic Package
Interior
Embroidered Head Rest and Console Lid - KM Graphic Punch
Turned Aluminum Door Panel
Turned Aluminum Dash Inserts
Turned Aluminum Instrument Cluster
Door Panel Badges
T/A SN Badge and Designation
Check out our Store for some great Smokey and the Bandit stuff!
Final Thoughts
What does this mean for Smokey and the Bandit fans? Well there may not be another Smokey and the Bandit movie coming out. But here's an opportunity to own a cool retro version of the movie car. Using the modern F-Body platform, the Kevin Morgan Trans Am Concept gives owners a blend of modern automotive technology with classic Trans Am styling. It will also excite a new generation of Smokey and the Bandit fans. Who knows it might even persuade GM to bring back the Trans Am. I wouldn't mind seeing a "Chevrolet Phoenix." What ever happens, let it be known it all started with our friend Kevin Morgan! Here's to you Kevin, from all of us at OnScreenCars.com! Till next time, "keep the pedal to the metal." We're working on the next On Screen Cars post! 10-4 Good Buddy!
Barenaked Ladies produced the video above, back in 1998 to help promote their album "Stunt." The song has a lot of references to pop culture happenings of the time and before. But why is it being featured on On Screen Cars? Well it has some on screen cars in the video. Matter of fact, two of the most popular on screen cars of all time were featured, 1969 Dodge Charger from Dukes of Hazzard and the 1976 Ford Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch. However these cars are not perfect replicas of the originals. But the producers of the video may have not had the full rights to use these cars in the video. You'll notice some differences, like the decals on the General Lee for example. Enjoy the video and check out the album in the Gift Shop! If you're not sure about the lyrics (they're a little fast) you can read them here.
Varsity Blues a movie about football, girls, parties and the glory days of high school. Oh yea and trucks! Good ole Billy Bob drove one of the baddest '73 - '87 Chevrolet Trucks ever featured in a Hollywood movie. The only thing bigger than Billy Bob's character was his 1973 Chevrolet 4x4 Truck. It was big enough to pack half the football team, Billy Bob and his prized pig.
Quote from Billy Bob about his pig: "I sure do love that dog."
Features
The truck is a long wheel base truck. The front end features a factory grill shell with aftermarket grill insert. The bumper is tubular with a integrated push bar and fog lamps. Note the head lights are round. Until 1981 all Chevrolet trucks had round headlights. The fenders have the fender extensions/guards. They're real important when you're running from the law through the bushes. Ya don't wanta get your truck scratched up.
From the side you can get a better view of the big "69" number decal on the side of the doors. Right above the decal on the driver's door is Billy Bob's name hand-brushed. You can also see the crew in the back. There is also a hand-brushed "Coyote Powered" script on the tailgate as well. The tailgate also features the tail-panel band insert. The rear bumper is tubular just as the front. There is also a light bar. You can also see the tubular step-bars in this shot. It's hard to judge the size of the lift kit. But you can tell it is lifted. My guess would be around 4" - 6" inch lift kit was used. The tires are in the neighborhood of 35" - 38" inches.
Goof
According to a post on moviemistakes.com the front drive shaft is missing. I haven't seen this for myself, so I'm gonna have to watch it again to verify. But It wouldn't surprise me that a detail like this goes unnoticed in a Hollywood production. I find it kinda funny. But it doesn't take away from the sheer awesomeness of the truck or the movie!
Final Thoughts
I chose to do this post, because my brother had a 1984 Chevrolet 4x4 Pickup (SWB) in the early '90s. It was a close replica of Billy Bob's truck, long before the movie was made. It had a sweet looking hand-brushed script that said "Summertime Blues" on the tailgate. The color was an exact match. Other than the fact the years and wheelbase were not the same, it could have been the movie truck! Every time I see something about Varsity Blues, it reminds me of the truck my brother had. Till next time, keep on trucking! We'll be working on another On Screen Cars post!
