How many Saturday movies did you spend as a kid watching cartoons? I know this blogger sure did. I got thinking back to the sugary cereal fueled, care free mornings spent in front of the tube. Ah the good ole days. Then it hit me. A vision. A vision of this post. Alright enough paraphrasing Back to the Future. But I did have a vision. I was thinking back to all of the cartoon versions of famous live action tv and movie cars. There were a number of them! In this post we're going to look at few mash ups of famous cartoon cars and their live action counter parts. We spared some details, for future posts. But here's a taste of each.
After the success of the third Back to the Future film, dream team Zemeckis and Gale created the cartoon series. The series aired on Saturday mornings for two seasons in the early 90's. The series focuses on the Brown family. Who recently moved back to present, making a home on a farm just outside Hill Valley. In this timeline, the Delorean has been rebuilt. Remember it was destroyed at the end of the third film. Not only is it back but with some additional features. Including voice-activated time circuits. If you look closely in the show's intro, you can spot a barefoot surfer gas pedal. The time display panel is much more steampunky in the show. Which makes sense, given Doc's experience with steam powered time travel.
The Real Ghostbusters was the follow up to the blockbuster hit Ghostbusters. Running for over 7 seasons, the cartoon picks up where the first film leaves off. Sticking to the formula of the films, the Ghostbusters ride around in ECTO 1 as well. As with Back to The Future, the details are slightly changed. The car is much more simplified and appears much cleaner than in the films. But not without it's share of unique features. It's believed that this version of ECTO 1, inspired the "Gunner Seat" later in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. ECTO 1 wasn't the only ghostbusting vehicle used in the series. A number of specialty vehicles were used through out the show. Which also sparked an entire lines of Real Ghostbusters toys from Kenner.
Similar to that of Back to the Future, the Saturday morning special: The Dukes ran for only two seasons. From February to October of 1983, kids were treated to their own cartoon version of The Dukes of Hazzard. Hanna-Barbera put their spin on the live action car jumping show we all grew to love. But what about the General Lee? Well as you can tell, they did a pretty good job of recreating the iconic car in cartoon form. You can tell it's a 1969 Dodge Charger for sure! In fact, I would go as far as to say, it might be the closest representation of a live action car in this post. Except for the fact the car has gadgets. Yes! The General Lee got a handful of gadgets installed. Such as over-inflatable tires for softer landings. Special shocks that raise the body up for more ground clearance. That's the beauty of cartoons is being able to stretch the laws of physics and imaginations of the viewers. Over all the show reminds me of a mix of Scobby Doo, Knight Rider and Speed Buggy. Kinda neat huh?
That's all for now. But be sure to stay glued to the tube as we bring you more: On Screen Cars.
Ever dream big? I mean like four or more movie cars in your yard big? Well I do! You can too, thanks to a little game called House Flipper. It's a fun game where you're a handy person turn house flipper. You pickup odd jobs to learn skills and earn cash. Eventually you'll get to flipping rooms and whole houses. Even mowing the grass. I recently picked this game back up. It's a ton of fun. A friend, brought to my attention some mods to allow you to bring famous cars into the game. To say I was excited as a four year old and cookie would be an understatement. How can you get these great assets? Navigate to Big Hungry Chicken's Workshop page on Steam for these add-ons. There's a few on there (Back to the Future Delorean, Ghostbusters Ecto 1, Knight Rider's KITT, A-Team Van and more. Looks like they're expanding their collection. Thanks Big Hungry Chicken! Happy Flipp'n
They're back. Sorta. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the next chapter in the Ghostbusters story. It's been over 30 years since the last film. Most fans had written off a 3rd film. Many fans were angry at the last attempt at a Ghostbusters movie. Looking at the trailer there seems to be new "stranger" faces. With some hints at old faces too. Very exciting stuff. The cast looks amazing. Watch the trailer below if you haven't seen it. But today, we're focusing on an old face that's near and dear to our hearts. Our beloved ECTO 1. I'm glad to see that they're bringing this iconic relic back for a new generation film. Here's a few screenshots from the film trailer to help you dissect the trailer.
ECTO 1 is found sitting in a barn at the family farm in Oklahoma. From what we understand, the grandkids have no idea who or what the Ghostbusters were. With a little movie magic the car starts up after being tucked away for at least 25+ years. We don't know how or when the car was moved out there. But I'd like to see a 1959 Caddy that has been sitting around that long start up on the first crank. Pretty sure it's going to need..
Dr Ray Stantz: Everybody can relax, I found the car. Needs some suspension work and shocks. Brakes, brake pads, lining, steering box, transmission, rear-end.
In this next shot you can see the car whizzing through the streets of a small town. Just blasting away. I take it young drivers learning how to drive and proton pack at the same time. Folks. Don't proton pack and drive. This is your PSA.
This next shot is interesting. It looks like the ECTO 1 got a new feature. Some sort of suicide door, jump-seat/gunner-seat contraption. If you're not familiar with suicide doors. Here's the short run down. They're basically doors that open backwards. Many cars from the 20's and 30's had this feature. There's one problem with these doors. If you open them while the car is moving at a decent rate of speed, you could get blown out of the car. Just for the record the factory rear doors on the Caddies open normally. So this would have been a customization. The original car did not have this feature. However some of the Kenner toys in the 80's had something similar.
In this shot the teens appear to be practice driving through the fields. Possibly testing out that new jump-seat. Or they're just learning how to drive that beef-cake of a car.
This last shot is the end of the trailer. I wanted to point out the wonder patina work done by the studios. The car really looks like it's been sitting in a barn forever. The tires look dry-rotted don't they? This trailer leaves us with a lot of questions. My biggest question is: "Where's the ECTO 1A?" Hopefully time will tell and provide us the answers. Tell next time, Happy Ghostbusting!
OnScreenCars.com is still alive. It's been hard to keep up with posting with the holidays. But I wanted to include a very special holiday post. Ben Bond of the Tampa Bay Ghostbusters just shared with me a video of his Ghostbusters ECTO Truck all decked out for the holidays! I've been meaning to do a full feature on this truck. This is the second vehicle from the group to be featured on this site. You may remember Ghostbuster Jason Rawley's Chevrolet HHR. More to come in the future on this truck. But for now let's enjoy Ben's truck with a hint of Griswald flavor.
1959 Cadillac Ambulance must be the ideal ghost busting machine! At least that's what Ghostbuster Ray Stantz thought. In this "First Look" post, we'll review the first image of Ecto 1 ever. Above is a snapshot of the Ecto 1 while still in black gray primer. The scene begins with Ray driving Ecto 1 with the lights and sirens on. He parks it at the door in front of the firehouse. Peter Venkman is standing out in the street supervising the guys who are putting the sign on the building. Ray jumps out of the car and proclaims that no one needs to worry, he's found the car. Then he starts a rant of all the attention the car needs.
Dr Ray Stantz: [gets out] Everybody can relax, I found the car.
Needs some suspension work and shocks. Brakes, brake pads,
lining, steering box, transmission, rear-end.
Dr. Peter Venkman: How much?
Dr Ray Stantz: Only $4800.
[Venkman looks shocked]
Dr Ray Stantz: Also new rings, mufflers, a little wiring.
A Little Work?
A little work? I would classify that as a bit more than a "little work." Note that Ray didn't mention any body work, a paint job, a new light bar and all the ghostbusting equipment. Brake Pads? I didn't realize he said that till recently. But most of these cars had drum brakes all around. It may require brake shoes, but not brake pads. Only $4800 bucks? $4800 bucks today is like $9900 today. At the time of the film, the car would have been around 25 years old. How many of you, would pay almost ten grand for a 25 year old car? I guess it would depend on the vehicle.
The primer version of the car used in this scene is a work of art. According to the Ghostbuster Wiki, the black car is the base for the Ecto 1A used in Ghostbusters II. I love how the front and rear tires don't match, there are some missing hub caps, and the big radio antenna whip isn't on the car. As a kid, I thought the tied back antenna was a factory detail for the Miller Meteor Caddy Ambulance. From the research I've done, that is not the case. The warning lights are basic compared to modern emergency vehicles. I haven't seen another ambulance with both red and green lights.
Final Thoughts
I like the primer version of Ecto 1 almost as much as the finished version. I think a 59' Caddy Ambulance would make a very interesting rat rod, although I haven't seen any as of yet. But, I'm sure, some where out there someone has ratted one out. What are your thoughts about the black primer Ecto 1? Tell us about your first impressions of Ecto 1. Feel free to comment about those things, while we work on the next On Screen Cars post!
Just In: Rumor has it, that the Hot-Wheels Ecto-1 is due out this month! I'll be keeping my eye out for it. Not just a rumor anymore! It's available through our store!
