In the words of Arnold Jackson you might be saying, "What you talk'n about Willis, there wasn't a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am on Diff'erent Strokes!" Believe it or not, yes there was! During a special two part episode in Season 6. Phillip and the boys travel to Hollywood to try and win back his girlfriend, Maggie. While in Hollywood he sends Arnold and Willis to a tour a film/tv production set. The two wonder away from the tour group to find the set of Knight Rider.
As they reach the Knight Rider set, David Hasselhoff drives up in KITT. The security guard doesn't let the boys go any further. However that isn't enough to stop the determined duo from running onto the set. Arnold and Willis duck into a prop cop car and are about to be blown up. This is where the first part of the two part episode ends. Different Stroke fans had to wait till the following week to find out. However you can find the second part on YouTube.
Final Thoughts
Many '80s television shows had cross-over episodes like this one from time to time. Shows on the same network would have characters from other shows pop-up on a regular bases. It seems like you don't see this quality on newer shows. In this case Arnold and Willis show up on the set of Knight Rider. How else would two shows like Different Strokes and Knight Rider come together? I think that's part of the magic of an '80s tv show. We'll be sure to bring you more On Screen Cars action from the '80s and more! Stay tuned!
I can't think of a better song or video to describe growing up in the '70s and '80s. Mark Willis talks about a number of things throughout the song. Everything from peeling stickers off his Rubrix Cube to his parent's first microwave. I was a child of the '80s and '90s, but I'm well aware of the references! But let's not get too side tracked, what about the cars in the song and video?
The first part of the video shows Mark driving a clone of the General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger from Dukes of Hazzard. The song references the show, by saying Daisy Duke was his first love. Later the song talks about another classic auto from Smokey and the Bandit, 1977 Pontiac Trans Am. The lyrics from the song hint "...black trans ams..." In the video there are a few kids hanging out some where, sitting on a parked Bandit Edition Trans Am. The car is later seen in the video along side the General Lee.
That's all for now. Enjoy the video. Don't forget to checkout our store for some great stuff from Dukes of Hazzard and Smokey and the Bandit. You might even find a Mark Wills album too! For those who would like to read the lyrics, see our reference information below!
Since Toyota has been in the news recently with the huge recall on gas pedal assemblies. I thought I would do a quick post about my favorite Toyota Truck ever featured in film, Marty's 1985 Toyota 4x4 Xtra Cab Truck from the Back to the Future Trilogy.
Haven't seen Back to the Future? You can find it in our store!
Early in the first Back to the Future film, Marty McFly nearly falls over after seeing the truck above for the first time. His reaction "Check-out that 4x4!" He told his girlfriend, Jennifer that he would love throw a few sleeping bags in the back of the truck and take it up to the lake. He told her, someday that truck would be his. Little did he know that it would later happen, but only after trip to the past changes his future. When he arrived home from 1955, it was sitting in the garage with a single-coat wax job by Biff Tannen.
The truck made a short return in the beginning of Back to the Future II as well. The scene pretty much just connected the two films. However the truck does comes up in conversion. The future McFly family is sitting around the table, talking about how Marty broke his hand in an auto accident during a street drag race. The conversion serves as some foreshadowing as to what happens at the end of Back to the Future III.
The truck got it's big break near the end of the final movie. Marty and Jennifer are shown riding through the suburbs in the truck. They're on their way to the crash site of the Delorean. While stopped at a red light, Needles Tannen Douglas J. Needles challenges Marty to a race. The light turns green and Marty floors it in reverse and does a 180. Looking back, the couple watches Needle's near miss with a Rolls Royce. Marty changed the future by avoiding the accident that would have cost him his music career.
Staged up and ready to roll...
...in reverse! Do you think Michael J. Fox did his own stunt driving?
Note the license plate and KC light-covers.
Notice the missing front license plate? What about the double bars on the light bar uprights?
Yeah... That would have hurt.
Final Thoughts
I give the truck's appearance two thumbs up. I like the wheels and all the extras. I think it was a good fit for Marty's character. It would be a fairly easy truck to replicate and show as a movie vehicle clone. There were a lot of these trucks made. Who knows, I might get around to making one someday. It wouldn't be my first Toyota truck! Till next time, remember "...the future is what you make it...so make it a good one!" See ya in the future!
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!
