10 Cool Facts About McCord's '34 Ford - The California Kid

Watch the new revised video here: rumble.com/v4octfo-10-cool-fa...
In the 1974 movie "The California Kid," the 1934 Ford takes center stage as a symbolic representation of power, rebellion, and the allure of the open road. This iconic vehicle, featured prominently throughout the film, captures the essence of hot rod culture and the timeless charm of vintage American automobiles. With its sleek lines, gleaming paint job, and roaring engine, the 1934 Ford becomes a character in its own right, embodying the spirit of freedom and independence that drives the film's protagonist on a thrilling journey through the picturesque landscapes of California. Its presence on screen evokes a sense of nostalgia, harkening back to a bygone era of classic cars and daring adventures.

[@CarStarz42]

Hey folks, so for the many of you stated in the comments of previous videos that the the audio was too quite; I have made a significate adjustment to that on my end starting with this newest video. So, any feedback on whether or not the audio is loud enough now for those of you had that issue before, please let me know in the comments below how this one sounds to you. Thank you!

[@captlazer5509]

Audio is good, great job fixing

[@CarStarz42]

@@captlazer5509 Excellent, glad to hear that. Thanks for the feedback! 👍

[@dukecraig2402]

​@@CarStarz42 Oh yea, much better, keep up the good work 👍

[@CarStarz42]

@@dukecraig2402 Awesome, I never know how it is for others as when I play my older videos with full volume on KZbin, they sound just right, but if I play this video with the changes I made on my PC at full volume it is like speaker blowing loud. Not sure how it can be so different across the board, but if most people hear it better this way; I can keep doing that going forward then. Thanks for the feedback 😉👍

[@1928ModelA1931]

I agree with the others. The audio level was my only complaint on your videos. Now I have none. Great format. No nonsense. Just the cool facts.

[@archstanton9206]

In 1983 my late father and I had just finished a ground up build on our 1940 Ford 2 Dr Deluxe sedan. He was an old school flathead Ford racer who spent a lot of time at the dry lakes in SoCal in the early days. So, it had a very hot stroker flathead in it. We took it to Merced for the Western Street Rod Nationals, and I had the honor of driving it into the fairgrounds after a 4 hr road trip. They pointed us to a parking spot and lo and behold not 50 ft away there was The California Kid, which was my dream ride. I am 6-3 and Dad and I didn't think I would fit in a chopped Coupe, and we were looking at the car and talking about it when I heard a voice behind me say "well, open the door and try it on, man" Turned around and it was Pete. He and my Dad talked flatheads the next couple of days, and I sat in that car at least 3 times, and even got a ride around the fairgrounds in it. Pete was very nice to a 24 yr old guy with lotsa dreams. I fit...but just...barely... I still have the 40...the flatty has been repurposed and will soon come to like in a Roadster...and the coupe...someday...

[@CarStarz42]

Awesome story man, thanks for sharing! 😉👍

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Love the fact this iconic baby is all Ford!! Love it❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree!!!!!!!!

[@wymple09]

And slow. BBC Chevy sounds effects even....

[@CarStarz42]

True, but Pete just wanted a nice cruiser car out if it; not a salts flats record breaker 😉

[@ricardocorbie6803]

@@CarStarz42 best part is it’s still here and can be seen!!💜💜💜

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

@@ricardocorbie6803 Yep!

[@mikeburnett7028]

I loved this car so much, I had to have one. Mine is also black but without flames. Couldn’t find an affordable 3 window, so mine is a 5 window. Had it 39 years now and still drive it all summer long here in Indiana.

[@CarStarz42]

Awesome man👍

[@danoc51]

My inspiration for 33-34 Ford coupes comes from this movie as well as a car built by Al Huber of Redondo Beach. It was a radically chopped 5-window, yellow with crude red flames and red wire wheels. I got my own '34 5-window, which I kept for over 30 years. About four years ago I sold it to a guy in Australia, thinking that it was time to get this stuff out of my blood. That didn't last long...two years later I bought a very nice unchopped '33 3-window, which I've handed over to Hollywood Hot Rods in Burbank, CA for a complete cosmetic redo (including a radical chop). It goes to the paint shop tomorrow. When chopped, 33's and 34' coupes are the coolest looking cars ever.

[@1967davethewave]

I live down the road from the current location of "Pete and Jakes". Still an awesome hot rod shop and it's like being a kid in a candy store every time I go in there.

[@CarStarz42]

Awesome, and I bet it's an amazing place; sure looks like it from the pics anyways 🙂👍

[@Road_Rash]

One of my all time favorite custom cars...this car formed my idea of what a custom vehicle should look like...I love everything about it...

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, pretty badass looking machine indeed!

[@1928ModelA1931]

I have always been a big fan of this movie from the first time I saw it on it's first showing on TV in the 70s. I have the now privilege of owning a copy of the movie that Pete signed I purchased from Pete and Jakes a few years ago. RIP Pete. I kind of thought over time the reason they used the Graffiti car's engine as a stand in may have been because the movie was set in '58 and filmed in the same area of CA. as Duel. As the producers etc. kept a pretty good eye on accuracy for a TV movie, it comes to mind that while a small block Chevy engine likely would have been the chosen plant in '58, the small block Ford that the Kid has would not have been available until a couple of years later as the 260. Another 8-10 years for the 302. Thus the seemingly odd close-ups (you can see the 302 when Sheen opens the hood for Vic Morrow but the close-up is the Chevy) make perfect sense for continuity. I actually now praise the decision to use the Graffiti stand in.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed. Well, like you said, even with a few minor and somewhat odd inconsistences like that; it was quite great for a TV movie at least 👍

[@Kevin_747]

My brother lives in Peculiar,MO and we both have known Jerry Slover over 58 years. It was quite a big deal when he bought the Pete & Jakes name, intellectual property etc. and brought it all back to Missouri. The California Kid sits around and is rarely driven. Thanks for the video.

[@CarStarz42]

Very cool and you're very welcome.

[@tieroneactual2228]

It’d be a hoot to do a follow up episode with Sheriff Roy’s ‘58 Plymouth, including a engine shot of the “ Dual quads he put on himself “. At least I think that was what the line was in the movie when one of the kids was talking about the Sheriffs car....

[@bobhill3941]

I agree, that would be cool. I recognised it as a 1957-58 Fury.

[@albertgaspar627]

in 1957, the Poly 318 (used by Plymouth because the Hemi it was derived from was too expensive to build for a low price car company) came with a dual quad manifold option.

[@bobhill3941]

@@albertgaspar627 Thanks.

[@michaelvachon1334]

Loved the movie and eventually bought a DVD copy when it became available. I also purchased a 1/24 replica of the California Kid car produced by Danbury mint (offered in 2007). I noted that the Danbury Mint issue had the chrome mags and the nerf bars. I'm a sucker for anything with suicide doors! Thanks for spotlighting this particular car!

[@CarStarz42]

You're welcome, yeah I noticed most all the diecast replicas have Pete's wheels and bumper, which is cool as it looks much better that way anyways. Glad you enjoyed it🙂👍

[@ericheine2414]

Thank you for the backside Grind On The California Kid. It's a cool car and I've always liked it.

[@CarStarz42]

Yep 😉👍

[@jimseiberlich4360]

Did anyone ever notice that Martin Sheen knocks off the side mirror when he get out to check for damage after almost going off the cliff. I watched this movie a 100 times it’s what got me into cars at 13 years old.

[@TheModelingHermit]

The California Kid car was displayed at a show in Des Moines Iowa at the turn of the century. My oldest daughter had recently been in an accident that left her with a damaged arm. My wife and I were going to go to the show, and after some discussion, convinced my daughter to go with us. While at the show, we saw the car, and I explained to her about the movie and the significance of the car. It was decided to take a picture of her with the car, standing in front of the rope that protected the car. A gentleman that was with the display, saw us and came over, dropped the rope, and encouraged her to go pose, leaning against the car. Since I was an avid classic car enthusiast, having owned many myself, she was knowledgeable in respect towards show cars, and that one never touches a show car. The gentleman was able to finally persuade her and helped her to pose with the car for a photo to be taken. That car, the memory, and the gracious gentleman, have made the car special to us. I should mention that my daughter has since received an invitation to visit the car at her convenience, which we are hoping to do this summer.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, thanks for sharing that story friend 😉👍

[@danieljohnson9351]

Those side pipes were just wrong for that era! I had the privilege of seeing this actual car at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville.

[@godsowndrunk1118]

You're right....but side pipes were big when the movie was made. They were everywhere, along with fog lights. Lakes pipes would have been more era correct.

[@danieljohnson9351]

@@godsowndrunk1118 Yeah, I remember. And don't forget air shocks to raise the rear of the car.

[@godsowndrunk1118]

@@danieljohnson9351 lol... I still have the air shocks I took off my first Mustang nearly 50 years ago.

[@danieljohnson9351]

@@davidjohns6433 Well they would have saved a little more money if they had just left them off! Full fendered hot rods seldom used any side pipes at all. They were much more common on customs. They didn't need to be there at all. They were never hooked up.

[@danieljohnson9351]

@@davidjohns6433 Actually, Milners coupe was pretty correct for 1962 but I understand your point. The Pharaoh's Merc got a quickie top chop that wasn't at all done the way Barris, Hines, and all the others did it which is why the back of the top looks a little strange. And when they show Curt in the back seat you can see how badly the headliner looked. And don't get me started on Days of Thunder or Smoky and the Bandit! Just once I wish Hollywood movie producers wouldn't underestimate the intelligence of the viewing public and make a really good, accurate car movie.

[@charlesdalton985]

I remember watching this when it first hit TV and have a VHS version I’ll have to dig out and rewatch. A few years later Hot Rod was another good made for TV movie in this genre. Really appreciate and enjoy what you’re doing here, thank you! ~ Chuck

[@victorvance2573]

If you can´t find your VHS the complete movie is here on KZbin. That´s where i watched it a few days ago.

[@dalebaker8266]

I’ve still have that magazine pack away somewhere

[@jasonwaltrowski2315]

Same here, it's somewhere in my dad's stash of street rod magazines in the attic

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid and learned a few things too!!!!!! 👍 🙂

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂👍

[@geoff1971]

I remember when that car was brought to Australia and displayed at the Melbourne hotrod and custom show at the exhibition building. I still remember it like it was yesterday.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, yeah it's a famous one for sure and impossible to miss 😉👍

[@Ecosse57]

The 302 in the coupe came out of Pete's '23 T-bucket that subsequently recieved a hemi.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, I was reading about that on their site👍

[@petesmodelcarcustoms584]

Great vid of great car👍😎. Nice to get the info. Thanks for showing and best wishes from jolly old England 👍😎Pete 🤓

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it 🙂👍

[@petesmodelcarcustoms584]

@@CarStarz42 The car and film were highly influential to a juvenile delinquent like me👍😎

[@CarStarz42]

@@petesmodelcarcustoms584 Lol 😁

[@johnbehneman1546]

THE CALIFORNIA KID WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE ELEMINATOR COUPE. OWNED BY BILLY GIBBONS.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool🙂👍

[@nthdegreedesign]

The Kid was bought and brought to the east coast by Cris Carrier. where we installed a period correct interior, replaced the damaged grill shell, they say a movie light had hit it, the front fenders were worked on and repainted by Danny Hyde of East Hamption, CT. at the time. After our work the car was bought by Pete and we took P&J's Ford car frames in trade as part of the deal. The car deserves "steelies" on it!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@charleykeenan6171]

Great episode. 👍

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and glad to hear you enjoyed it. 🙂👍

[@justinreedflynn]

I wish more people still drove Hot Rods. There's 3 guys in my neighborhood, a yellow fenderless roadster, a red fendered tudor, and a purple/white late 30's/early 40's coupe. I like seeing 'em on the road.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@johndean2110]

Awesome car movie! 👍👍

[@dalegilchrist6952]

Great movie! Love the channel, keep up the good work🤘

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and glad you are enjoying it 🙂👍

[@albertgaspar627]

As soon as Martin Sheen pulls the hood up for the Sherrif, you can see the spark plug wires run to the front mounted distributor used by low deck Ford Windsors...but the 327 in the Graffiti coupe has its distributor at the rear of the block.

[@unstablebobgable]

Your videos are really BOSS! And they seem to magically appear when I'm taking a break from working on my own cars! 😎 You have also improved the audio. Great job!

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much friend, I try my best🙂👍

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Cool car Cool movie 😎

[@tedlarson2078]

You have the coolest channel.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much friend and glad you are enjoying it😉👍

[@turborocketmedia]

I've gone on a binge watching your videos, and I gotta say you make great content, especially for us geeks that have to know everything on anything! Keep up the great work!

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and glad to hear you are enjoying it. 🙂👍

[@dukecraig2402]

​@@CarStarz42 And your volume is getting better, everything you say is easier to hear now, it doesn't sound like you're in the next county anymore. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍

[@deangarlitz5587]

I go to Pete and Jake's open house every year. I have a picture of me sitting in the California Kid. I had met Pete in California at the So Cal speed shop. RIP Pete. Jake is still around, and building cars for himself at his home in Calif.

[@CarStarz42]

Very cool!

[@johnschnellbach986]

Awesome content. Keep em coming!!

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and glad you are enjoying it 🙂👍

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOT RODS AS WELL. GREAT VIDEO AND THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@CarStarz42]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it🙂👍

[@desertliving3668]

Funny you mention this - I just watched this movie for the first time last week. 😊😊

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 🙂👍

[@stevebrien1041]

Love this movie

[@spokes28]

Thank you!

[@randymarsh-Tegridy420]

It also inspired a Monster Truck based on same name, built by Mike Welch. The California Kid Crusher.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 🙂👍

[@flatrat48]

great channel!

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and glad you are enjoying it 🙂👍

[@jasonwaltrowski2315]

Always loved that car

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, one slick ride or sure🙂👍

[@bobhill3941]

Very cool, because of your video, I watched the movie, someone uploaded it here. Very cool information, particularly the history of Pete and Jake's and the tie in to American Graffiti (another great movie) I was wondering what year it was set in.

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoyed it and that's cool 😎👍

[@bobhill3941]

@@CarStarz42 I thought so👍

[@Daniel-S1]

Thanks from England.

[@CarStarz42]

You're very welcome, from the U.S. 😎

[@leegoldeneagle9003]

Very cool nice work I allso liked gone in 60 seconds back One it got by me next time 👍👍👍👍👍😊

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@ronstewart9792]

Very cool video. I got to see this car and get my picture taken with it at Jerrys shop on the first Rod and Custom America cruise.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and nice!😉👍

[@Calibir1]

Fun movie. Watch this movie and see how many time that you can spot Martin Sheen do a James Dean pose... and that's all I got to say about that.

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, indeed 😉👍

[@a456987]

I have a copy of that magazine cover hanging up in my basement

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@douggregoryHOTMotorsports]

Been watching. Not subscribed. Last American Hero, Greased Lightning, White Lightning, Macon County Line, My Science Project, and more. 55yrs-old now and been a gearhead my whole life and glued to the TV until around 2010 when I quit watching most TV and newer movies. Older stuff....I'm all over it. Consider more big trucks and then military vehicles. Lots of tanks and such were lent from museums and private collections for TV and films. Many are still around. Planes and bikes might be neat too. The variety you're posting thus far is great. I would suggest sitting on some until you have enough information/tidbits to come up with 10 solid items. Oh....and there are plenty other vehicles in the Hooper movie. Fall guy...the stunt truck is alive and well being driven all over to shows. In TN for several years now. Bigfoot (several) from police academy, cannonball run, roadhouse, tango&cash, and more would be a very interesting and perhaps longer video. Maximum Overdrive would likely need to be a half-hour episode. Fast Times at Ridgemont High.... There are so many....🙂 Real gearhead stuff....the World's Fastest Indian, Heart Like a Wheel, Stroker Ace, Snake&Mongoose, and a bunch more. You could also do Stars' cars. EVH, J. Giles, Sammy, Tim Allen, Billy Gibbons, etc. Real gearhead celebrities and not just enthusiasts or owners. Jeff Beck....up to his elbows in hot rods. John Oats and Brian Johnson....racer men. Tom Hammond, Dan Pasterini, Reggie, and more ball players that raced and played with cars their whole life.

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, most all of those are already on my very lengthy to do list and eventually down the road, will make second rounds through them to catch secondary vehicles as well. Glad you are enjoying them so far and thanks for the suggestions 🙂👍

[@foolishwatcher]

Nice video, as always! If I may drop a wish (actually 3 wishes): the Chevy Nova and Dodge Challenger and Charger from Tarantino's "Death Proof". 😎

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much, yep the Death Proof cars are already on my big'ol list of movies to do list

[@bowbutter7608]

Fact good film

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@claytonthomas1980]

Love the video, but I will admit that using just one car for the movie sounds strange but they've had their own reasons for doing so, still a good looking car in its own right for sure.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed on both accounts 😉👍

[@The68coolness]

Hey man. I'm the original artist of the art piece your using at the beginning of this video from Coolness68Art. I don't mind you using it as your videos are awesome but if you could please ask for permission next time. Thanks. Take care.

[@CarStarz42]

Never would of known, but sure 👍

[@altforce44]

Can you look into whatever became of the yellow Camaro from the film The Gumball Rally?

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, eventually after going through my massive movie list once; I'll make a second round and get some cars of the same movies covered. I want to do the Ferrari Daytona too🙂👍

[@altforce44]

@@CarStarz42 100% on the Daytona. That movie's choice of cars was truly inspired. I built and own a tribute of the yellow Camaro. I wish I could build tributes of the Cobra, Daytona, the white Corvette ...

[@dflf]

How about doing the sheriff’s car next?

[@CarStarz42]

Might do that when I eventually make a second sweep through my massive to do movie/TV list to get all the secondary car stars down the road; I'll probably be at this for years, which is fine by me since I enjoy doing it so much 😉👍

[@threynolds2]

There was one technical mistake in the dialog. When the Sherrif tells McCord he clocked him over the speed limit, McCord looks at the sheriff's car and comments that his oversized tires will make his speedometer read fast. Oversized tires make the speedometer read slow.

[@derekpierkowski7641]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

Geez, I haven't seen that one since I was a kid. Wasn't bad from what I remember.... but that's from a kids brain..

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, not bad at all even for the adult brain; especially good considering it was a very low budget TV movie🙂👍

[@janofb]

Supposes to be a manual car, but at @2:16 the shot from the movie shows no clutch peddle.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed.🙂

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

Wait a second wasn't the sheriff responsible for all the accidents including hero's brother too.

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, that was indeed a big part of the plot.

[@milfordh.mercado2787]

@CarStarz42 Thank you for responding and for another movie/t.v. car additions is the defender form viper t.v. show or robocop's ford taururs are my picks, sir one last thing to say is comment on the dlcm video saying that I have a die-cast greenlight 69 dodge charger that looks just like the movie car itself anyway thanks and have good day bye now.

[@charleykeenan6171]

Is it you putting your stuff on TikTok? If so i will sub there to... If not I will just enjoy the original 😉 Looks like most of your episodes are there..

[@CarStarz42]

Hmm, I don't even have a TikTok account; so that's not I. Glad you are enjoying the videos though 👍

[@herrunsinn774]

03:30 "The car now resides in Peculiar, Missouri." ... Now, "Ain't That Peculiar?" Did the owner change the writing on the doors to "The Missouri Kid"? 😅🤣😂

[@waynehardy6186]

What ever happened to the Cop car from this movie 57/58 Plymouth.

[@CarStarz42]

Haven't looked into that, but might when eventually making second rounds through my list.

[@tedlarson2078]

Can you do corvette summer

[@tedlarson2078]

Oh you did you did !love that movie man

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed😉👍

[@CarStarz42]

Already got it indeed, glad you found it😉👍

[@mjbachman3027]

Too bad it didn't have a built up Boss 302 in it instead of a stock 302 with an aftermarket Holly. Or if had to be period correct set in 1958, a 312 Y block Thunderbird engine with the McCullough supercharger.

[@CarStarz42]

True, but each to their own I suppose, especially when it comes to Hotrods 😉

[@LICobra]

I remember the TV movie when it came out, and thought what an awesome hotrod, now that I know they faked the motor, the sound and the transmission....Hollywood Sucks

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, indeed and not uncommon in the movie world.

[@captretired159]

That would have been a pretty good movie if the casting director had picked a decent actor. 😂 That clown was about as believable as Biden telling us he's a good President.

[@CarStarz42]

Didn't matter, was all about looking at the car for most of us 😉

[@rickr442]

The side pipes looked stupid...

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed the common opinion for that setup, very out of place 😉