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.
Classic Detroit muscle has always been a great fit for superheros. The Green Hornet is no exception. Black Beauty is an awesome name for a car of such caliber, a 1965 Chrysler Imperial. Also known as the top of the Chrysler line. Elwood Engel the same guy that brought us the 1961 Lincoln Continental, designed this generation Imperial. The lines are straight and long as with most cars of the time. As you can see Black Beauty earns it's name. The car is nearly completely black. You might miss the Green Hornet's green headlights. But you won't miss the sound of a Big Block Chevrolet...
What? No Mopar? That's right folks. Reports show that the movie cars were powered by Chevrolet engines. I'm sure they'll dub over the engine sounds with the factory 440 and 413 V8 these monsters came with. Most of the On Screen Cars were modified with full roll cages. Some were beefed up to take side impact. Your template movie car on the inside. Guns? Oh yea. Two large guns as well as missile launchers. I think actor Seth Rogen will have plenty of fun with those. I have to say though the weapons array reminds me of Triple X.
So who's the designer? Sources say Sony Pictures put the screen cars together. I would have thought George Barris (the creator of the car in the original '60s TV series). ButYou can hear the display staff at Comic Con video confirm it isn't. None the less an amazing retro re-creation of a Dean Jeffries* design. Don't forget to watch the trailer (below). I'll be putting it on my list to watch. Catch ya next time!
* Correction from http://www.theblackbeauty.com, Dean Jeffries did the original design of Black Beauty on the TV series.
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