Thunder Road (1958) Car Scenes Part 1 of 2

[@giannirocco7492]

When I was growing up my father drove a 49,50 or 51 Ford "Custom",there were always a few V8s in the carport in various stages of build.He said that the only way for them old Ford engines could keep up with modern OHV Chevys was to attach a blower...and by God he was right!Been driving my old Custom for almost ten years with a blown V8 and haven't even changed a gasket!Fricking reliable old Ford!

[@jamesgrannes1782]

Loved this old movie when I was a kid, bought a DVD a few years ago, they don,t show it on TV enough.

[@user-hw1cr5uq4z]

Moonshine runners like Junior Johnson would pull the old flathead engines out of those Fords and replace them with engines from Cadillac ambulances. They would soup em, up by increasing displacement, hotter camshafts and more carburation and superchargers. Junior said in an interview that they could reach speeds of almost 150 mph with those old Fords.

[@autobug2]

Junior's engine of choice was Cadillac's 331 C.I. V8 with 2x4bbl. carbs, etc.

[@christopherspringmann]

Yes and the (late) Junior Johnson spent almost a year in the lockup for makin' whiskey: www.nytimes.com/2019/12/20/sports/junior-johnson-dead.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Obituaries

[@heavenstomurgatroyd7033]

Yeah these stories get bigger and bigger as time goes on.......

[@KD-nb3mp]

In the late 40s' a built flathead would've been enough. Johnsons friend claimed that he had his 61' Chrysler New Yorker with a 413 Golden Lion, up to 180mph. Thats his exact words and he said that it would run 180mph fully loaded too. He then bought a mid sixties Hemi Coronet. Those things were obviously fast as heck. Especially with the right gearing.

[@kimmorrison9169]

@@autobug2 yes, those Cad & Olds OHV engines were the the big deal back around 1950

[@elvisettey]

When I was little, my father sang this song to me every time it stormed. It took me far too long to figure out what it was actually about.

[@lonniebeavers7794]

My favorite movie of all time . My last ticket was 135 mph in a 35 zone .

[@autobug2]

Bet you're proud of that ticket too. What if you hit someone crossing a street? Oh that's right...you don't give a shit about no dumb pedestrians.....SMDH

[@spenner3529]

sure it was

[@petermaxwell4904]

oil coming out of pipes in the rear of car, well mr. bond we meet again !

[@williamkeck7378]

I learned how to drive on my grandfather's '51 Ford, 3 on the tree. One heavy SOG. THAT'S GUN.

[@bruceallen6016]

Thumb up for bringing this out of the archives.

[@davidjamesshaver]

Thatyll teach those nosy gubbermint revenoorers! LOL 👍😘

[@eagleman8440]

James mitchum was making 280.00 dollars per week for film.The cars were bought from moonshiners.The film took 8 wks to shoot in fall 1957.The bridge where he did the bootleg u turn is still there.

[@gringoreno]

Saw this movie in 1959ar drive in when movie was over the exit road sounded like the Daytona 500 all flathead v 8 and 265 Chevys and qiote a few 88 olds coupes

[@fcaughli]

I loved the oil slick. Take that coppers

[@kimmorrison9169]

that wasnt the cops chasing Robert it was the competing Moonshiners.

[@verdant2215]

​@@kimmorrison9169They were Gmen. Government agents that would bust moonshiners.

[@kimmorrison9169]

@@verdant2215 the Gmen scene was in the beginning. Oil slick scene was bad guys chasin Mitchum.

[@rickurban1394]

Loved those early ‘50 fords…still see a few of them in Minnesota especially at local car shows…

[@tristanexists1806]

This here ladies and gentlemen is how NASCAR came to be

[@mo-thescout4305]

I looked this up after watching an episode of Cheers during season 2 Sam and Coach say they never miss Robert Mitchum movie especially this one!

[@richardtrent847]

greatest movie ever made

[@herrunsinn774]

Apparently you have seen them all, then made a fair assessment in order to make that claim.

[@elconquistador98]

No doubt the only movie you have seen. You’re easily amused.

[@RaymondAustin-Dir-Writer-Stunt]

remember it well, I was on the stunt team with, Carey Loftin and Robert Hoy in NC, did the roll over into sub station. Raymond Austin

[@VengefulBatz]

Dammit! I HAD this until my computer crapped out. Now I can’t find this ANYWHERE!

[@1967PmdGto]

ww1.m4uhd.tv/watch-movie-thunder-road-1958-226637.html

[@11304800]

The TAXES are lost to the TAXPAYERS ? bahhhh--it's the tax payer who pay the taxes.

[@jeremythompson9122]

Yeah I know. More like our money is stolen from us right out of our paychecks and given to illegals and criminals in exchange for their votes. Taxation without representation is theft and Democratic politicians seem to be representing everyone BUT the people who voted them in and who pay their salaries. That's why we need to vote out every single one and never let a Democrat back in the White House or any other position of power again That's why Trump is gonna win 2020 by the biggest landslide in history. The Democrats are so desperate that they're begging Michele (Michael) Obama to run for Pres. Nah no thanks. Don't need another massive failure like the first Obama. The Obamas just wanna finish the deal they were making to sell us out to Iran

[@fishsquishguy1833]

Jeremy Thompson While agree with your comment, I think it applies to some “RINOs” too. Drain that swamp!!

[@coinhunter3758]

love how he flipped the car over @ 1:38 then drove away without a scratch on the car 2 sec later

[@3bar]

Always wondered that myself.

[@strothermartin5368]

That's Hollywood!

[@underdoggo929]

Thats Carey Loftin

[@tomcarpenter700]

Did you notice that the 1957 FOR D, That was chasing him Nearly came to a stop before it went over the mountain, Then it took off Again

[@jeremyb4493]

Haha yeah that seems a little obvious to leave in the film even for back then but man, they weren't messing around! I've always enjoyed Cary's skilled stunt driving, and don't remember one movie without a few really close calls, planned that way no doubt. I'm about to watch thunder road right now after watching lots of Jay Leno's Garage lately.

[@johnhill3786]

Ive got a 54 coup and a 57 ,,300 in the carport now because of this movie

[@MovieBoyMeister]

This Movie Is my All Time Favorite Movie From 1958 Very Good Movie I will Give it 10/10 Best movie Ever Great Acting and Great Everything Love The Car Scenes there very well done Just Love Thunder Road 1958 movie Very Good Movie love it.

[@williambeshearssr3958]

To me this is the best movie great seems and they didn't have nudity or any cussing all about real life in Tennessee imagine that

[@MovieBoyMeister]

@@williambeshearssr3958 I Agree with you this Movie is Amazing.

[@vernwallen4246]

The first letter 5 on the plate read out identified it as Sullivan CO,TN.

[@williamkeck7378]

Damn good movie. I was 10. 😄😄

[@bootiemacarthur9182]

Love that 57 chevy

[@GOFLuvr]

I wonder if video game makers pay for people to write game stories for them, because I think I could write something that draws inspiration from this movie that features a Korean War vet that hauls moonshine for his parents (ala Junior Johnson), and apart from high speed chases and shootouts with revenuers, I could imagine some variety with having to go to the big city for whatever reasons, and some stock car races on dirt tracks, and maybe some wars with rival moonshining families and a Klan-like organization.

[@glenncarver3896]

Saw this movie in Franklin Ohio when it came out …….I was 12…….Me and my friends sang the song For Years………..

[@intuitive8490]

this is the coolest movie of its time. Reason? it really happened

[@autobug2]

The kid playing Mitchum's little brother was actually his son.

[@stephenmitchell3569]

✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓

[@williambeshearssr3958]

It really happened just like it still does every day and night

[@intuitive7274]

@@williambeshearssr3958 absolutely it does. Even right now

[@KD-nb3mp]

​@@williambeshearssr3958 True.... the golden era is gone but theyre still doing it.

[@jimmie3337]

Recently heard via Cathy Earnhardt that Ralph Earnhardt used to put his hands on them, afterwards driving them to Junior in Wilkesboro

[@billtaylor843]

this movie was actually filmed in and around Asheville NC

[@IveGotToast]

Yep. At 1:09 you can tell that's 191/Brevard road down by the French Broad river.

[@richardstewart429]

The water fall crash was at Toxaway Falls between Rosman and Cashiers N.C on Hwy. 64.

[@charleshathcock2585]

Hey KZbin, I'm sure the full movie was longer than 4 min. & 54 seconds.

[@gregoneal7893]

I have pic of my dad with 49 ford. Just like them his dad made shine and he ran it. Up in Hurricanes of Granville Co

[@paulfisher6142]

It's a 312 Y - block . ..., ..... .. .

[@StanlyRunner]

old highway NC16 near wilkesboro was filmed also.

[@ZoSo1973]

StanlyRunner Really? I live in Ashe county and drive on 16 Quite a bit

[@ZoSo1973]

Old 16 and New 16

[@StanlyRunner]

Just at the foot of the hill going from Wilkes toward Alexander there is an old store still there on left side of new 16. Still might b some mountain dew nearby too

[@staspastukh2005]

Where did you found it?

[@bubbaray8670]

They should've known better than to try to catch a Ford with a Chevy! It ain't gonna happen.

[@brucethomas3100]

bubba ray That's right, especially when it has a Cadillac ambulance engine installed in it. Caddy engine probably had a little more horsepower than the 265 Chevy.

[@paulseabrook8179]

Found On Road Dead

[@wesleycook7687]

Your captions said the 50 Ford was a 54. Carey Loftin doubled for Robert Mitchum in this movie. Loftin did a lot of stunt driving with Bill Hickman. Carey Loftin also was the truck driver in Duel. He's credited at the beginning where the credits are rolling. Thunder Road is just one of many films and TV shows that used him. Bill Hickman drives the black 57 Ford Custom. He also has face time in the film. He looks different without his glasses..Neither he or Loftin are listed in the credits. But several others aren't credited either. The actors that played Niles Pendlin or Jed Moltree aren't either. Neither are the guys that played the moonshiners in the meeting in the barn . Only Mitchum, his son, Trevor Bardette that played his father, Jaques Abuchon ( Kogan) ,Gene Barry , Keeley Smith and the girl that played Roxie..they are the only ones in the credits.

[@katrand6174]

since no one is saying it Robt Mitchum wanted Elvis to play his son and E's manager Colonel whatever wouldn't let him. So Robt figured his oldest son would be good to cast as his younger brother. JM was in high school at the time, I believe. JM didn't get the kudos of his dad but was fantastic in "The Victors" with a wonderful cast & story - his best work

[@martianshoes]

The story I read (and heard) says that Peter Breck ("Big Valley") got his break in this movie, thanks to Mitchum...

[@1954SCOTTIE]

'50 Ford chasing Robert changed to '57.

[@autobug2]

Seperate scenes--the black `57 Mitchum knocked off the road came later in the movie.

[@wesleycook7687]

57 Chevy chasing a ,'50 Ford or later a '57 Ford chasing a gray '50 Ford. Watch the movie

[@happyjjlli]

you know this was basted Bondurant brothers!!! junior came along later...

[@johnlaws9853]

Bullshit!!!

[@evergreen58791]

Thunder Road was filmed around Brevard, North Carolina

[@trevorkeyes1694]

This was 10 years before Bullitt with steve McQueen

[@wesleycook7687]

Same stunt driver did McQueens driving.....Carey Loftin.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@wesleycook7687 WRONG ! Bud Ekins was Steve McQueen's stunt driver. Carey Loftin was the stunt coordinator.

[@dividedstatesofamerica2520]

@@sergeantmasson3669 Such a massive difference 10 years made at the time. Can't say the same for this shitty stagnant era.

[@williambeshearssr3958]

And they think it's all ended(ha ha ha)

[@mikekaup5252]

The engine looks like an overhead valve conversion on a flathead. Not common.

[@jeffjohnson1464]

Hell with the taxpayers when we were starving to death.

[@denniswilliams4495]

My people ran shine over there in the Mountains.....and the so call Thunder Road went by my Great Auints house....61 .....and this phone want even let me spell it.....correctly....

[@glenncarver3896]

Liked his 50 better than the 57……….

[@zanegrey2901]

there was the guy driving s. super sport chev 2016 going at 171 mph upstate ny the police in there pursuit car only could. go at 135 mph finally. a helicopter. stop him.told officers did not realize was going that fast gave him a ticket let him go.found out later the officer got back. to station whine and fuss because this guy had lot better. car then the police

[@dougknoke5111]

He is a nascar driver,

[@olskool3967]

a shame they tore up that 57 ford,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@wesleycook7687]

They didn't. The '57 was a real transporter car. It was used in some chase scenes but Carey Loftin, the stunt driver ,never wrecked it.

[@tomcarpenter700]

Yeah I know I have 1 in 1970 my favorite For D

[@tomcarpenter700]

I hated to see it go over the mountain lot of times they change into a different car But this one Stayed a 57 For D

[@tracysimmons3860]

Elvis was supposed to play his brother,Col Tom Parker f----d that up.

[@charlietemplin4044]

Tracy Simmons I read that from GK's book Elvis My Best Man George Klein

[@scottthewaterwarrior]

Now I see why they say Bullett was the birth of the modern car chase, this isn't bad, but it just doesn't compare.

[@jeffjeeves6337]

Correct, the driver was bill hickman,it's a good chase , the look on roy's face at the end of the chase when he rams his car under a truck is priceless!

[@jeffjeeves6337]

I read somewhere that carey loftin ,one of the drivers in the bullitt car chase did some of the driving in thunder road,is this true?

[@scottthewaterwarrior]

Somehow missed the two previous comments, or I would have replied sooner. I never said Bullitt was the best, Bullitt started the modern car chase, but IMO the The Seven Ups is what perfected it. Course Gone in 60 Seconds is my all time favorite.

[@jeffjeeves6337]

+18 tangles french cinema in the 50's made lots of heist movies with some good car chases, a tough guy actor called Lino ventura appeared in quite a few of them.

[@martianshoes]

There is an amazing chase scene in the movie "Ronin" (Di Nero) filmed with no CG...in the '90s, no less..they scream through Paris, dozens of collateral crashes, it is insane.

[@joecanedo5897]

Maybe he painted his flat head engine Chevrolet 🍊to make it run faster

[@glenncarver3896]

Windell Scott …….the first Black NASCAR Driver was a Bootlegger……….On Thunder Road………

[@billfeld5883]

Just open fire on the people, nothing has changed in all these years!!! Flathead vs Y block want me 292 with a Paxton that is for sure!!!! 2021

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Paxton supercharger was only available in '57 for the Y-block 312.

[@stevemason5173]

Mr. Bill Taylor is 100% right... This film was filmed in Asheville North Carolina. Many of the areas are still there, the log cabins, the under pass, the building he jumped from the window,and more. Why do these ass holes post bull shit they don't have a clue what they're talking about?

[@wendellpeters5083]

in the land of the free, if you create something and sell it, the Govt. wants their share. like big pharma with canabis, opie dopie, etc.

[@johnlaws9853]

You would be swimming across rivers, if it wasn't for taxes!

[@wendellpeters5083]

@@johnlaws9853 as long as the politicians swim across rivers with me, i dont mind..

[@johnlaws9853]

@@wendellpeters5083 Yes you would too, and we both know it.

[@wendellpeters5083]

@@johnlaws9853 You're a wise person

[@ltcajh]

Cheaper to pay the tax than run it and get your car shot up.

[@dannyw7662]

The tax part is the problem. Gov has no business taxing what I make.

[@dannyw7662]

Who said anything about welfare?

[@MrSkypony]

ltcajh It really wasn't the tax it was the thrill of beating the fed's. My family was born and raised in them there mountain's and did a little shine on the side but mostly worked in the coal mines. I use to love it when we went down there to vist my dad's family. It is a whole different world then living in the city

[@MrSkypony]

18tangles While they made good money off the shine they mostly did it for the thrill of beating the fed's. Good shine is way better then any store bought whiskey. While they put a half of a peach or apple in the gallon jug's make damn sure you do not eat the peach because it will knock you on your ass. The fruit sucks in all the powerful stuff. My dad was born and raised down there and I still have family down there and can buy a jug if I want it. The last I bought a few years ago cost 120.00 for a gallon and it would last a long time.

[@MrSkypony]

.

[@paulseabrook8179]

A flathead out running a 283...,. don't think so.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Obviously, you don't know squat about race-built tri-power Ford V8 flathead engines. 300+ hp could be done rather easily. "Fuelie" '57 Chevy 283 was 220 hp.

[@paulseabrook8179]

@@sergeantmasson3669 obviously you flat head guys thought OHVs was just a passing FAD.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@paulseabrook8179 That's false. 1962, My first car was a '36 Ford 2 dr sedan. My dad helped me build a '53 Merc "full-race" flathead V8 engine for it. We put "juice" brakes in it and I did a decent restoration on the car. I drove it for a year, sold it and bought a '51 Ford business coupe. I put a '57 J2 Oldsmobile tri-power engine in that car. Drove it for about a year and sold it also. Fall of 1963, I bought a new 1963 red Galaxie 500 XL 390 4 speed convertible which I still own today. Thus, don't label me as a Ford Flathead guy because I only owned one once in my entire life.

[@paulseabrook8179]

@@sergeantmasson3669 My brother in law bought brand new '63 XL500. Hardtop. 352cuin.? Traded in for '64 Impala 409cuin.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@paulseabrook8179 As I stated, I bought a new red 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL 390 4 speed convertible which I still own. I also own a black fully restored 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie XL 427 "R" code car. '64 409 Chevy Impala cars are very rare and was the last full year for the 409.

[@proofbox]

Seems rather reckless , let alone illegal to open fire on a car that is just driving down the road and then continue firing on a public road with no regard of endangering the public . These guys got what they deserved .

[@georgehare2915]

glorified fed desk jockeys