10 Cool Facts About The Driver's '55 Chevy - Two-Lane Blacktop

[@MrJayrock620]

I love the fact that all these cars were legitimately built to be fast cars and not just a prop for a movie

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

So true!!!

[@markfullerton7174]

I don't believe that the 3 '55 "movie cars" had rear disc brakes added for filming purposes in the early '70's. I'm sure someone can prove me wrong though.

[@Smurphenstein]

In my opinion, Two Lane Blacktop is one of the most unrecognized road movies of all time.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed it is!

[@danmyers9372]

Yeah dialog and character development were both absolutely amazing.

[@dominickserignese8837]

I instantly knew the trans was a rock crusher when I was watching the movie. Those Transmissions make a very distinctive whining gear sound , which I love!😎

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, she sure sings out loud too 😁

[@johndean2110]

​@@CarStarz42 do a video on the movie The Wraith.

[@CarStarz42]

@@johndean2110 Yep, that one's already on the list as well; thanks 😉👍

[@bobsilver3983]

M22's sounded sweet, just like 3 speed Dearborns...the strongest trans in the day...I have one in my 68 Lemans

[@henrysmith8012]

I ran one for years . Mine came from a wrecked GTO Judge.

[@ccjensen4670]

Always liked the movie...I grew up in the sixties in Santa Rosa and cruised 5th street in a 59 Ford Galaxy..stock full hubcaps and a set of cheater slicks..Engine was a 427" that broke a rod..bought it for $75.00 ..sleeved a cylinder and Installed with a wore out 3Sp with over drive..scattered it the first hard pull and found another wrecked 427" Galaxy and scored the four speed and posi rear..used to blow off small block chevys passing it off as a stock 352"

[@Chris-f2i6y]

Nothing but great memories watching that movie. My brother and I would watch that movie constantly.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@TTTR1GGER]

Being a 2 lane blacktop fan when watching American Grafiti as soon as I saw Harrison Ford in this car I pulled out my vhs tape of 2 lane and immediately decided this indeed was the same car the main giveaway to me was the rear wheel wells modified for the slicks,I just knew it Thanks for the info !!!

[@harryjohnson8605]

This movie blew me away. Never grow old.

[@MCW1955]

Man o man, one of my favorite movies. My friends and I used to say the lines as we watched. Alas, almost everyone is gone, but I still watch it a couple times a year. Thanks for the video!!!

[@bluesthing7490]

Classic Film!!! Loved watching that movie with my dad!!!

[@Ce13stialBunny]

Legitimately one of the greatest pieces of American Cinema ever made

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@stevehughes2133]

Thanks!!!! I was waiting patiently for this one. Wow, 1971, the year I graduated high school, where did the years go????

[@CarStarz42]

You're welcome and glad you enjoyed it! I hear yeah friend; not sure why time just seems to speed up the older we get, but it's certainly a cruel trick of nature for sure 😉

[@don66hotrod94]

Saw this movie at the local dive-in theater. Girlfriend thought it was the stupidest movie ever. I guess she had other things in mind LOL I had to go a 2nd time with male friends to see the movie.

[@alessior.messina3250]

So much gold under such "neglected" skin.. ...what a movie ❤ Thanks for your job

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and indeed 👍

[@1967davethewave]

I remember seeing a clip from this movie where they were putting on a rear wheel/tire and saw the disc brakes. In a time when the factories were building LS6 Chevelles, Ram Air IV GTO's and Hemi Chargers with drum brakes on all 4 corners in a lot of cases those 4 wheel discs were pretty high tech!

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed!🙂👍

[@danmyers9372]

The odds of even a built ‘55 back then having rear disc brakes is extremely remote. I consider it a bit of a faux pax personally.

[@timatkinson9291]

Great backdrop story. One of my favorite movie’s!!!

[@roger628]

Those cars hung around Universal Studios for years and re-appeared on several other TV shows in bit parts. The 55 (one of them anyway) was seen in a couple of episodes of Adam-12. So were the GTOs (i heard there were 2). The GTO could also be seen in the opening credits of Baretta. The GTOs final appearance was in an episode of the Rockford Files, Season 3 Episode 3. Despite being now 7 years old and poorly repainted red with a knockoff Starsky stripe, I was able to pick out details like the Keystone mags and the Judge wing that told me it was the same car.

[@HI-RISER]

I don't suppose you remember what episodes of Adam 12?

[@tommccallan8802]

It was also in an episode of "CHIPS" where Ponch thinks back to his street racing days..

[@brianlewis6926]

I​@@HI-RISERI think the name of the adon 12 episode was the old dinosaur

[@jayweiss4378]

Glad to hear two of the three survived! Made my day!

[@jamesthompson8008]

Thank You Carstarz, for doing this video as well. This '55 Chevy is just as iconic as Milner's yellow coupe from American Graffiti.

[@CarStarz42]

Your welcome and indeed😉👍

[@CycolacFan]

The incident with the transmission blowing was because the car was left in reverse after being positioned, it didn’t slip into gear. Taylor dropped the clutch before revving the engine as he’d been instructed to. The cameraman was standing behind the ‘55 and wasn’t in the car when the propshaft came through the floor. He dived onto the hood of the car behind.

[@napoliansolo7865]

The "Mechanic" was Dennis Wilson, drummer of the Beach Boys. He was always changing the jets in the carbs. I love this movie, but thought that background music could've made it better.

[@petestaint8312]

Huge fan Dennis Wilson! He was awesome in the film. 😎

[@danmyers9372]

Or running the valves.

[@davidmerritt5075]

He said he was "checking the jets" which was nonsense, and actually changing them would only have been necessary if they had made a significant altitude change.

[@barrycuda3769]

​@@davidmerritt5075Would there be much altitude change on route 66 ? , I wouldn't think so. To be fair , I'm sure he only ever said "change " them , and not "check" them , that would be too dumb.

[@spamanator666]

Imagine being the person that ended up with one of the original cars, but probably restored it back to look just like every other '55 out there! 😆

[@WelshRob1964]

I was only thinking of this a film a few days ago and thinking I wouldn't mind seeing it again 😀

[@gsdfan8455]

Funny, I was just talking about it with someone the other day as well.

[@cogboy302]

Fun fact. The car in the thumbnail for this video is a (visually) movie-correct replica mostly built in the UK, and the photo is from a feature in 'Custom Car' magazine in 2011. I own that car now and it came with a 2nd pair of rear daisy mags & M&H slicks, which came from one of the original movie cars. It does have discs all round, but no servo, so you have to use a bit of force. It runs a 454 with ally heads, twin Holley 750 double pumpers and Muncie M22 4 speed. Ford 9" rear end. Rear end is on ladder bars, panhard rod & coilovers, front is a drop tube, 4 links, panhard rod & coilovers. TLB is a bit of a niche film, but I fell in love with the '55 first time I watched it. Oh, and Richard Ruth had some input with technical specs provided to the professional race car builders who did the chassis work on the replica. The only noticable (to car freaks) visual difference between my replica and the original cars is that the front lower 4 bar link mounts were raised slightly to improve the front geometry.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed it is and that's awesome man! 🙂👍

[@onespeedworld6979]

You're a person of fine taste! I hope you drive the hell out of it!

[@andrewhigdon8346]

You are both lucky and astute to have acquired that car. Very nice!

[@felixmadison5736]

I was 22 years-young in 1971 and had my own '56 Chevy at that time. I watched the movie on HBO a few years after it was released in theaters.

[@Tiffany.1970]

Great bit of 2 lane blacktop nostalgia on the 55 Chevy's .. Would love to see one video on the 1970 Pontiac gto 455 warran Oates drove 😊 👍

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed. Yep, the GTO is on the list to do when I eventually get to second rounds through my large list. Thanks

[@kenreilly5308]

One of the best if not the best drag racing movies ever made.

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, raw power racing with very little dialog = one great drag racing movie for sure! 👍

[@CarsandCats]

That was a great video! Subscribed.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much friend and glad you enjoyed it 🙂👍

[@leegoldeneagle9003]

Very cool thanks Like all the video's are Always more than cool thanks 👍👍👍👍😊

[@CarStarz42]

Glad to hear that 😉👍

[@tillross4078]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@tieroneactual2228]

“ That Plymouth had a Hemi with a Torque Flite, I believe we sawed the guy off even though we did loose two hundred! “ .... It was actually a AAR Cuda which would’ve been a 340-6 bbl, you can barely see the AAR stripes on the car in the beginning when it & the ‘55 are staging right before they get the green light.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

i noticed that too........love that aar

[@justincooper5189]

You're right about what it ORIGINALLY came with, but that doesn't mean that car didn't get an engine upgrade. Back then, they didn't really see it as sacrilege to modify an AAR cuda to have a big block and torqueflite trans.

[@michaelcerkez3895]

Too young to see the movie when it first came out but I think it's great. Two words, The Driver.

[@dukecraig2402]

By 1983 The Girl and The Mechanic were both dead. Laurie Byrd killed herself in 1979 while she was the girlfriend of Art Garfunkel and Dennis Wilson died in 1983 at the boat he was living on, Wilson had a big time connection with the Manson Family back in the late 60's allowing them to live at his house for a while, something they say haunted him the rest of his life which most likely is why he drank himself to death.

[@CycolacFan]

Warren Oates -GTO - is also dead.

[@kwsandman14]

Richard Ruth was a cool man. I worked part time in a shop next to his in Merced Ca. for 4 years. He not only taught me a lot about fabrication but told great stories.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@patrickmcgrath5411]

FACT #11...DENNIS WILSON RULES‼️

[@cobra02411]

Fun fact #11 - James Taylor learned to drive a manual transmission the first day of filming in the 454 Drag car... Love that movie. And the car reportedly did 10.90's at the track. Back in 1971 that was hard core. It was no prop-car with special effects, it was a real deal race car.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, trial by fire there! 😁👍

[@wilburross9709]

I read that it was an 11.50 car, but same thing-real deal drag car on the street. And on one run at the drag-strip the announcer says something like "and the little '55 will run deep into the twelves." But you got to remember they were looking to grudge-race someone for money there, so they were sandbagging for sure. Don't want to scare away all of the potential victims.

[@bob-g2h]

That's still hard core

[@andrewhigdon8346]

Up until the late 90’s, any “street car” getting into the 10’s was really impressive, and definitely took well over 600hp unless you had a gutted Fox body, where it still took 500+. Back then, that pretty much meant nitrous, as even big blocks with blowers weren’t so streetable at 600+ hp. Then came the era of stupid big turbos, blowoff valves, and digital ignition control, which was the secret sauce, so timing advance could be almost infinitely controlled, a crucial key. Without serious advance near idle, and serious retard at high RPMs, those engines would burn a hole in the piston top quickly from outrageous combustion chamber/cylinder pressures, and “street” fuel (pump gas) couldn’t handle the spontaneous compression ignition with such pressures. It’s crazy how far we’ve come, even setting aside computer controlled ignition and fuel delivery, just airflow knowledge has come a long way. To think, today you can buy a factory warrantied, street legal car which will hang the hoops and break into the 9’s, factory. For less than $100,000. Unreal. You can also buy its brother car, in four door sedan trim, that will do over 200 mph with Ac blowing cold all day long, and in relative comfort. Also, unreal. Think about how this Chevy was modified to get less than those results, how barely streetable it was, and how common this kind of car was back then. And compare with today. Today there are “streetable” cars with 2000+ horsepower. When traction is a problem at 100mph, you’ve got some serious power happening.

[@johnnybrace]

so cool thanks for all the great info

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoyed it 😉👍

[@chrisevans1731]

I always struggled with this movie despite it featuring my fave car of all time; the 55 Chevy. The movie lacked decent script/plot and the Warren Oats character was a real sleaze. The "judge" was a love it or loathe it muscle car. ...as a kid I loathed it for no other reason than I didn't like the driver's character in the movie...I've never got past that. The one good thing is that the car had all the right mechanical bits and could actually do what it was supposed to do unlike some other movie cars. I've grown up a bit now...my fave car of all time is now a 56 Chevy😉 Thanks for another great upload👍

[@bobsilver3983]

Thats opposite of me, its the greatest movie that I have ever seen...it represents total freedom and I would go back to those days in a heartbeat if I could.

[@stevengriswold5280]

Can't call it a "judge". No body knows what the two cars used in movie were.all the characteristics of a " judge", but no judge decals. In movie they refer to it as a 455 Mark lV ram air with the carter high rise set up and 390 hp ???? Dosnt exist! Car has NO 455 call out decals on hood. If they were '70 orbit orange "judges" with 455,they would be 2 of 17 ever built. Both went back to studio and can be seen in some TV shows,but were either sold by studio or went back to Pontiac.

[@thomasrodriguez7803]

I would've never known that car was in the movie American Graffiti (Great Movie) and did the engine sound for the Trans-Am. Thanks for the insight 👍🏻.

[@CarStarz42]

You're welcome and glad you enjoyed it 🙂👍

[@peterjohnson9077]

That’s why I’m American Graffiti you never see engine, was no big block in 1962

[@oneninerniner3427]

​@@peterjohnson9077when did the 348-409 come out? That was kind of a big block, truck engine it was. But yeah.

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

Great Movie, even greater car. I heard later that James Taylor barely remembers the movie (due to his drug addiction).

[@gordonhall9871]

sad

[@markg7030]

I never heard that, but James did say he never watched the movie.

[@marcstlaurent3719]

Cool vid but the photo you picked to depict the L88 crate engine was of a small block Chevy .

[@thomasrussell5562]

And those hood scoops were more commonly referred to as “Dog House” not mail box scoops - the latter were rounded up top. It would have been nice to show at least an actual big block Chevy for the L-88 pic instead - product knowledge is slipping away and most folks don’t know or even care…

[@notfried2004]

Episode ideas; Maverick's Firebird (2 different ones), Daisy's Road Runner, the '68 Charger from Bullitt, Merc from Cobra, Hemi 'Cuda from all Phantasms, Kitt, Hemi GTX from Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, Spencer for Hire Mustang fastback, Castle and McCormick Coyote, Melbatoast from Dazed and Confused.

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, a lot of those are already on my massive to do list and I added some of the ones you mentioned that weren't. Thanks 👍

[@malbers35]

Stallone still owns the Merc last i knew.

[@kenbb99]

My all time favorite car movie. Love the info on The Car.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@billmcmeekin7909]

Awesome! I own a copy of this awesome movie, but didn't realize it was an older film than American Graffiti. Thanks :⁠-⁠) Both great movie's. Cheers

[@CarStarz42]

You're very welcome and it is a great movie indeed! 😉👍

[@andrebartels1690]

Pretty cool, that in two movies that I really like the exact same car is seen.

[@HisAssholiness]

i was told the wrecked car in american graphiti was not related to the two lane blacktop cars and had to be towed at speed twice to get the shot , as it failed to roll the 1st time

[@charlesrives9092]

Yep- it is actually a hardtop with some wood placed to make it look like a sedan.

[@CarStarz42]

Ah, well; true that they had a hard time getting the car to roll over in AG, but it was indeed the stunt car from Two-Lane. However, the Chevy you see on fire after the roll over was not the same car, but an already gutted different car that they just referred to as the "burn car". I believe they actually sold the "burn car" after the film though, so not sure if that one ended up being crushed or not, but the former Two-Lane stunt car that actually rolled in AG did for sure get scrapped and crushed..

[@CycolacFan]

The burn car coupe was bought / borrowed from a junkyard, had a wood B-post installed to look like a sedan, set alight then returned to the junkyard.

[@ronstewart9792]

Awesome video.

[@RickyBobby615]

Valve train noise is from tool steel bars that ran through the roller lifters to keep them aligned. Unforgetable sound!

[@stevengriswold5280]

What??? Engine noise is from forged bottom end and solid lifter camshaft. A bar thru the roller lifters...hahaha thats pretty funny!!

[@RickyBobby615]

@@stevengriswold5280 there's a slot in the lifter and a piece of hardened key stock that runs the length of the oil galleys in the block and keep the lifters rolling straight on the cam. The square bar, drilled in 3 places and studs, tapped into the valley sides. The studs are double nutted, one on each side of the bar, to adjust the clearance to the lifters. Trust me thats the valve train noise you hear in the movie.

[@oneninerniner3427]

Solid lifters, thinking not many roller setups in those days, big, big bucks for those . And they were factory crate engines not full blown aftermarket race engines like some of the crate engines that are available today. The clearance necessary in the valve train for them makes them clatter. That's why passenger cars have hydraulic lifters, no clatter.

[@andrewhigdon8346]

Yeah I think it’s the pushrod guides and the lifter guides. Duly noted. Through the lifters? Sorry bro. Check it.

[@danmyers9372]

Sorry but you are incorrect. The distinctive noise is from solid lifter (non roller) in the valve train. These require a small amount of lash (gap) between the rockers and the tip of the valve and that is what creates the distinctive mechanical noise.

[@nope.c]

Bob Falfa’s Wicked ‘55

[@heavychevy462]

The l88 was in the race car. Ls5 m22 in the camera car and ls5 th400 in the stunt/roll over car that had the dual plane and single carb

[@scryla2000]

Thank you soooooooo much for these reviews!! Takes me back to my childhood!!!

[@CarStarz42]

You are very much welcome and thanks for watching; many, many more to come down the road too 😉👍

[@andyrichey1192]

Awesome I just subscribed, I love this movie. I remember when it first came out. I watched it a few times now.

[@CarStarz42]

Glad to have ya, yep one great movie for sure 😉👍

[@randallray7864]

Sad part is we've lost so much car culture there will never be another car movie.

[@61rampy65]

There might be more car movies, but they will all be CGI, and really stupid plots....just like Fast & Furious movies.

[@ramblerdave1339]

I think road trip movies, will be made. We just have to badger the studios, to get them to make them about our preferred eras.

[@bobsilver3983]

My favorite movie, period!

[@CarStarz42]

Good stuff indeed🙂👍

[@GoodbyeKamala2024]

Always loved that car.👍👍

[@bbivens8263]

The last scene was at the old Maryville, TN dragstrip. I went there often in high school back in 70 - 71. It is now a fly -in subdivision for small plane owners. It was a 1/4 mile track, but had a really short run out at the end. You needed really good brakes or even a chute for some of the cars.

[@CarStarz42]

Nice 😉👍

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!!! 👍👍

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. 🙂👍

[@rogerevans3112]

The Oldsmobile "O" axel was supper strong, massive shafts and retainers all from the factory.

[@brianlewis6926]

My dad runs a 57 Pontiac rear end in his 55 Chevy, bolts right in

[@TheCanadianBubba]

1:57 Lucky's shop truck 👍

[@billygarner8318]

This was a true hot rod movie!!!

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed! 😉👍

[@onespeedworld6979]

Coolest 'movie' car of all time, and my personal dream car (with the L88 and a tunnel ram, though)!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@iiPotatoes]

I still gotta watch this.

[@CarStarz42]

It's certainly not a movie for everyone, lol. Definitely have to be car guy to fully enjoy it as there is very little story or even dialog, mostly just driving 😉

[@iiPotatoes]

@@CarStarz42 if I can make it through the slog that is gone in 60 seconds. I think I can handle this lol

[@CarStarz42]

@@iiPotatoes Alrighty, have at it then 😉👍

[@haroldbirge6881]

🏆 "55" so cool🏆 I have always wanted one👀✌️

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@rondpert5167]

The stunt car that "American Graffiti" used wouldn't roll over, so they positioned a junk car on it's roof to film the fire. You can see the stock suspension, exhaust and silver painted stock wheels.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed.

[@ramblerdave1339]

The rolled over, flaming car was a 56 4door.

[@rondpert5167]

@@ramblerdave1339 Please check the scene again. It definitely was a 55 2 door sedan. 55s were still easy to get. Not worth making a 56 look like a 55. (like the 68/69 Chargers for Dukes of Hazard)

[@ramblerdave1339]

@@rondpert5167 they didn't even bother, it still had the 56 taillights. Have to go to the library to rent it again, or maybe it's on KZbin. Not in my collection. The car that rolled over may have been a 55 two door, but the one burning in the background, was a 56, 4door. Sort of like when Tim Allen's Nomad was smashed on Home Improvement, and substituted a regular 2dr wagon just before the steel beam hit it, as evidenced by the red painted door window frame still standing after the beam hit.

[@CarStarz42]

@@ramblerdave1339 Yep, when I eventually get around to making a video about the AG Chevy's specifically; I'll talk about the "burn car" too. 😉

[@rogerlayne8623]

I'll see it again and again

[@andrewhigdon8346]

It was crazy to see rear disc brakes on even a modified drag car like that back then. I guess that shows how serious the creators of the movie were. Impressive. I guess I missed that shot when I’ve watched the movie before. For some reason, I can’t find it on KZbin

[@danmyers9372]

No way a real ‘55 would have rear disc brakes back then.

[@CarStarz42]

Serious stuff indeed for back then 😉👍

[@bluesthing7490]

"Going To The Graveyard" that old lady always creeped me out.

[@bobsilver3983]

10 mile on

[@johnsheetz6639]

I found out about six months ago that was actually James Taylor. I thought it was but it was a drunken question to Google the hair got me years before. Made me bigger fan of him! And I totally didn't know that he did the song bartender's blues! I don't know who wrote it but I thought it was possums.

[@herrunsinn774]

Another great video from CarStarz, except for the sound quality. The volume level was so low that I had to keep turning it further and further up. Then, I almost blasted my ears off when I went on to the next KZbin video. 😅🤣😂

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks. yes; the volume issue hat only some folks have been experiencing has been resolved starting with the most recent video and will be good going forward as well... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ6YooGnrKuGraM

[@dominickserignese8837]

That was a VERY interesting episode. To think those cars were purchased from the studio back in the day for probably next to nothing. Another cool thing was the availability of those big block Chevy crate engines from GM. Those engines today are worth thousands of dollars!

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you liked it and true indeed friend 👍

[@dukecraig2402]

Back in 1972 me and my family went to our local county fair and watched the demolition derby, I remember seeing 55 to 57 Chevy's in it, back then they were just 14, 15 year old used cars no one cared about.

[@CarStarz42]

@@dukecraig2402 True, kind of in the same way we look at late 90s and early 2000s cars now. Of course, I don't think most of those are cool enough to ever be missed, but who knows, lol.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@CarStarz42 One day someone will want them and they'll be collectable.

[@CarStarz42]

@@dukecraig2402 Probably so, time seems to have a way of doing that 😉

[@chrisevans1731]

Question: I have just recently watched "Heart like a wheel" which is the Shirley Muldowney story. An okay movie but the early street racing scenes were the best bits. In the background during the street racing there is a 55 Chevy in the background with an unusual but familiar hood scoop....was the 2 lane blacktop car used in the Heart like a wheel movie?

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

My favorite trans is not Dylan but Muncie. A ROCK CRUSHER!

[@FilmArmorerJoeyDillon]

Love your channel. Another interesting car maybe for ya- the pimpmobile cadillac used in both “Willie Dynamite” and “Magnum Force” (Dirty Harry) A 71 Eldorado built by gene winfield. I have a bit of info on it. (And currently own it haha)

[@CarStarz42]

Cool, I'll add those to my big list to look into as well, Thanks 😉👍

[@davevanwhalen2693]

Great video I really enjoyed it. I remember the movie, loved it. Did not know it was an American graffiti.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much and glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@johnquillman785]

Brother had a 55 -283 and solid old ford front axel. A death trap when slowing the thing down. But looked cool.

[@charlesgraham9954]

55 is my favorite 50s car

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@johnhanson403]

Fact #3: Yep. That's how I'd do it

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Yeah, if I had the money I'd have a big block crate engine in my car right now

[@slackthompson6984]

i just subbed cuz you know who the driver is

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and glad to have you onboard🙂👍

[@merc-ni7hy]

one of these cars was also used on [ADAM 12 ]

[@bobsilver3983]

I remember that!

[@brianlewis6926]

Series 4 episode 12 old dinosaur, adon 12

[@jackcanine6949]

Warren Oates was great in the movie!

[@bobsilver3983]

he sure was

[@VI-rt7sh]

The bit where he picked up the hitchhiker (Harry Dean Stanton) is a highlight. The hitchhiker gropes Oates' leg, "I ain't into that!"

[@captjim007]

Good info

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoyed it 😉👍

[@ridgerunnerperformance-jas5418]

I have never seen one of those cars with a roll cage. But everyone of them had roll bars.

[@CarStarz42]

😉

[@danieljohnson9351]

I read that the Chevys were originally painted light blue but it was decided that didn't look "hot rod" enough so they went with the gray primer. Good choice.

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, the deal on that is actually the producers just thought it was too "polished up" looking for the character's life style. They wanted to portray that the characters put all of their money into "go" rather than "show" essentially 😏

[@dontjivewitha5559]

Interesting I never knew that, but at the end scene there's a blue and white roof 55 , similar to how mines painted up

[@danieljohnson9351]

@@dontjivewitha5559 I think the blue and white one may be the crash car used in American Graffiti.

[@wilburross9709]

I read the same thing. Only that when the director was shown the first car, it was bright metalflake blue. He looked at it and said "Yeah, but these guys are gearheads. If they had the money for a paintjob like that, they wouldn't have spent it on a paintjob like that; they'd have put it in the motor." He looked at it for a second then said "Primer it." No one on the internet reports that part of the story, so I wonder if this was one of those stories that was proven false?

[@colingan9412]

I work at the Blaisdell center in Hawaii and James performed there a couple weeks ago. None of the road crew heard of the movie, looked at me as tho I was nuts. Sad!!!

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, that is sad indeed. Although, not surprising really.

[@ljmorris6496]

Even on the movie JT's character mentioned they wanted the car as "light" as possible which you'll see the fiberglass panels..

[@raycoutu9554]

Supposedly Richard Ruth was in the gas station seen, don't know if that true or not but I'm sure someone will confirm this.

[@stevengriswold5280]

Yes that him in the gas station seen.

[@HM2SGT]

Good picture. Poor Laurie Bird. Cute kid, tortured soul.

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, her story is definitely a sad and tragic one 😕

[@joefergerson5243]

Love this🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼

[@CarStarz42]

Glad to hear it 😉👍

[@DalePotter-v7c]

One of the coolest movies and haveing James Taylor in it at that time didn't hurt hey it was the 70s also Vanishing Point we didn't put alot of focus on the acting it was mostly the CARS and the driving don't forget being a kid 😎✌️🇱🇷

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@masudashizue777]

This movie almost made me buy a '57 Chevy.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@Nichole-440HP]

One of the 55’s was also seen in an episode of Adam -12 , the Dinosaur episode. A burglar used it as a getaway car.

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, someone else mentioned that some time ago, cool stuff.

[@georgefaulk2528]

So many stories about the 55's. I don't know what to believe. So many clones as well.

[@joequillun7790]

One of the most "technically" correct car movies ever. Always loved it, altho the plot and acting sucked. But that was the way it was ...back then. Great drag racing scenes. Next up, Warren Oates 70 Goat. Thanks :)

[@CarStarz42]

Plot, acting?; what plot and acting, lol! I think the one in the film was just one bone stock GTO, but I haven't looked into that yet; at least that's how they portrayed it in the movie anyways, but might do that. Thanks for the suggestion 👍

[@joequillun7790]

@@CarStarz42 I wasn't sure if you would be able to drum up some "cool facts" about the car being filmed. I know it's stock, but a 70 455 Pontiac motor was the 1st and only high compression Pontiac 455, and even tho the paint and stripes are in my opinion "ugly" as all get-out, the drivetrains were good. Also the only year Pontiac offered a 12 bolt rear. Too bad Warrens car wasn't a stick. You sure could hear the QJ. LOL

[@CarStarz42]

@@joequillun7790 Yeah, I'll probably look into it when I eventually make a second sweep through my very large car movies list to get the secondary cars as I do love GTOs. So, I will most likely revisit that title again down the road 😉👍

[@CycolacFan]

Two stock Orbit Orange ‘70 GTO Judges bought brand new. They added mag wheels and had the Judge decals removed except for one left on one glovebox. Director kept one after filming but kept getting pulled over by the cops so he sold it. Universal kept the other GTO, it appears in the titles of the Baretta TV show and made several appearances in Columbo and Adam 12 - as did one of the ‘55s and the American Graffiti ‘32 coupe. The GTO was eventually sold, stripped then restored as a stock Judge with all the decals reapplied and stock wheels.

[@CarStarz42]

@@CycolacFan Cool, that info should hold Joe over until I get around to making a vid on it 😉👍

[@mikego18753]

Another enjoyable vid.ps.the audio was a bit soft. Thanks.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks much friend, I've already cranked the voice volume up on my videos progressively over the last few; any louder and you wouldn't be able to hear the background music and other sounds. Make sure you have your video and device volumes up high enough as there is plenty of voice volume for sure. There's also Closed Captions that can be turned on too if needed. Thanks again 👍

[@mikego18753]

@@CarStarz42 Cheers.

[@rcfp2006]

Granted it's been a long time since I saw this move, but i don't recall the shot at 0:58 being the driver taking the wheel off in reverse. It bounced just has he put it on.

[@Neil-ru7kw]

XLNT 👍 Just saw a short on KZbin of Taylor an Leno and Leno had one of them in a garage , showed it to James and asked if he'd like to drive it . Ends there and cant't find it on lenos garage or any where . It looked like an old vid ????????

[@CarStarz42]

Interesting and probably.

[@DalePotter-v7c]

I have a commoritive dvd that has a booklet with pics and facts sad how the world has changed 😎🇱🇷✌️

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and yes, I often wish we could all just return to more simple times.

[@TimAtkinson-qs6sv]

Good movie but, great cars!!!

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@lazyrrr2411]

This movie is really deep - - - it's what Doesn't get said

[@CarStarz42]

Very true indeed😉

[@feydespiel.]

What got me years later..was when James Taylor said when they were in the town...".. it must be Saturday "..... because children were about..not at school..nor was it Sunday as folk wouldn't be out shopping....it just brought it home to me that they lived and drove...not even bothered about the time of the day....or what day it was...true freedom...

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, and same here.

[@luci-fer250]

or seen

[@HM2SGT]

Reading the comments and there was a "pictures where the car is the star" vibe; how about the "1928 Porter" (actually a kit bash but most identifiably the 24 model T body)? Of course the original knight rider has been done to death, but how about the two reboots? Just a few looking for off-the-wall suggestions…🙃

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, that's one I haven't thought about for sure; I'll add it to my large list of cars to look into and I do plan on doing Knight Rider at some point too. Thanks for the suggestions 😉👍

[@davidh7339]

​@CarStarz Can you do a video on the Mad Max Ford Falcon?

[@CarStarz42]

@@davidh7339 That one is most definitely already on the list friend, so yeppers!😁👍

[@mistagunther8569]

“Ain’t he neat?”

[@CarStarz42]

Lol 😉

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

Roadkill's finnegan built his blasphemi as a sort of homage to this car.

[@jeffreyeaton9934]

I always wondered if it was real footage in the move when the 302 camaro jumped out ahead of the 396 camaro. The end result 396 couldn’t catch the 302