Americarna Graffiti Preview

[@billsmith8803]

The car is perfect!! Leave it as it is.

[@flemingcourt]

Just like the Bullitt 'Stang.

[@johncaballero8013]

Love that ‘58! I had the privilege of meeting Candy Clarke in person at a rod & custom show in Portland Oregon. Got a really nice warm hug from her. She was ‘62 at the time and still looked great!

[@johnduran4949]

Just leave it as is! The car is perfect! Congratulations on owning this beautiful piece of Movie history. American Graffiti has and will always be my favorite movie and I’m not even a movie person

[@chrislana1]

THATS WHAT I SAY LEAVE IT ..CLEAR COAT IT FIX SOME THINGS BUT LEAVE THE ORIGINAL PAINT ,,,,,

[@guywerry6614]

There is a classic simplicity to the vehicle that's compelling.

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,amen.........future generation,,,lol.....they will scrap it for money......

[@scottm-nc9451]

Having built and restored classics for 35yrs, that's a car there's no amount of money you could pay me to restore it. as long as there's not any rust problems ... leave it alone

[@buellx1bps71]

Yep..the guy is not ontoit if he even thinks of re painting..he should stick to his day job?

[@JerrySorrell-z2e]

The best thing to say this car is only original one time

[@buellx1bps71]

same..leave it..only original once!

[@FRDMLIBERTY]

I love American Graffiti, Grew up in the '70's it was the tail end of the days of hot rods, drive ins And an actual life style. In which i grew up , and lived. ALL Fond memories, and still an old car enthusiast and caretaker/ owner today. This Impala is an important piece of our history and our culture. I am so glad that you are preserving it for generations to follow. You are so very fortunate to own it, And more importantly understand it's true value to many of us car folks out here. My favorite was the Milner coupe, but there are so many replicas today that it has blinded it's importance to some who do not understand not only the importance of the movie, but to our past. But this 1958 Impala is truly one of a kind. So glad you are it's care taker and wish you many happy years with it. Looking forward to seeing this beauty for many years to come. :)

[@michaelashby4036]

I did the same thing , grew up in the 70’s in Modesto, my mom was a junior, and George Lucas was a senior! I ended up going to same high school they did.

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,There's a guy out here in north eastern pennsylvania that has a clone....The one thing his car lacked was it did not have the slight rake in the suspension....That rake made the car supercool.....ATTITUDE.........ready to race......His car had amazing paint work....

[@chipper442]

I’d have left it as found. They are only that way once. Nice car and thanks for sharing.

[@michaelb.42112]

I live in Petaluma and have for decades and not a day goes by that I don't see the ghosts of American Graffiti here in town. Reminders are everywhere you look, and it's a nice feeling.

[@jamesshenay3426]

Best time of my life to grow up in. I'm a child from the late fifties. My hay day was the late sixties early seventies. Best music, BEST cars and life was freaking awesome 👍😎. I'm always impressed when someone rescues a piece of amercana and shows it to the world. Me, I would just try a buff and cut.... maybe a few resprays and call it a day. Refresh the motor, brakes and cooling system and drive it and show it. But as a collector, I understand that you want to do this. Best of luck!

[@brucedeerhaven]

The late 60s to early 70s were the best of times! Muscle car heaven great rock bands & music, great looking women (when women were real women), no political correctness, no Woke crap, & no social media! The Best of Times - Take Me Back!!!!

[@fiddlerpin]

Don’t mess with it! It belongs in the Smithsonian Museum for all to enjoy.

[@encoencomen8361]

Leave it alone please.

[@samspade8612]

All 3 Graffiti cars are iconic today. The 58 was stunning in the movie.

[@RalphSampson...]

"All 3"? You muat mean the top three everyone has on their mind. Milner's 1932 5-window coupe Falfa's 1955 Chevy Steve's '58 Impala Dude, there were so many more cars in that movie. The Pharaoh's 1951 Mercury Laurie's 1958 Edsel Corsair Suzanne Somer's '56 T-Bird Curt's 1967 Citroen And the countless extras' cars on the strip and at Mel's Diner. I had the pleasure of visiting Mel's Diner. It was a cool feeling to actually eat their.

[@Tiffany.1970]

I say leave it as it was in the movie you will ruin it and take away it's originality.... As long as it runs and drives leave well alone 👍😁

[@Tiffany.1970]

@@RalphSampson... Have you any pics of Mel's diner also was this the original diner or the Hollywood prop at a theme park if yes it's not the same as was in the movie

[@TC-eo5eb]

Candy Clark, Cindy Williams and Mackenzie Phillips had an autograph session at the Iola Car Show in Wisconsin last July. All 3 were available for autographs and photographs. A local guy with a real steel body 32 Ford 5 window Graffiti coupe had Mackenzie sign the dash right next to Paul La Mate's autograph. Too cool.

[@ceesklumper]

Great story. I had the same dilemma, owned the '73 El Camino from My Name is Earl for 6 years. Didn't touch it.

[@johncashfan82]

I agree. Leave it alone. It has it's age, and that is just fine. Keep wax on it, that's all. It's probably lacquer, alkyd or maybe acrylic enamel.

[@lanadale1479]

Forever an iconic Film with an Excellent Cast. Great to see the vehicles preserved. Nice to see it again as American Graffiti was made in 1973.

[@jamescon55]

SAME year of my birth 😬...But, I gotta tell EVERYONE that, when they ask my birth date/age etc,😏 "Yep...SAME year American Graffiti was released and the same actual year that WAS unfortunately, the true DEATH of the American Muscle Car."..Sadly 😔

[@tommccallan8802]

50th Anniversary this August 2023...you know I love the feel of tuck n roll upholstery

[@romandybala]

Just leave it alone. It is what it is. What is it with some people ?

[@peterm1826]

it means if its fiddled with its not original

[@McClellan71]

This Conservative Republican appreciates original paint. Clean it up, don't respray it

[@phillipthethird42]

I love this car soo much. It's a movie star to me. Hell, in the '80's I traded my motor cycle to have a '58 . Mine was a Bel Air.

[@keyboard_customs]

DUDE! everything you're saying says, keep it the same! It looks beautiful.

[@PacTel54321]

Nothing at all wrong with a little patina. Its perfect right now.

[@naproduction6334]

Always thought that was the coolest car in the movie. After seeing this, I realize it's an old video, but I decided to watch the movie again. The car, the movie, the characters. All fantastic and so much fun!.

[@therealbadbob2201]

Of all the cars that is my favorite as well. Thank you for preserving it.

[@rchydrozz751]

As these guys do, they will screw it up. LEAVE IT ALONE!

[@13thworker45]

This car inspired my red and white interior in my 1964 el Camino. The show and Don Tognottis king T inspired me to build my 1923 roadster. You really have a piece of American history, congratulations.

[@mortishastyles1345]

I went to the theater 7 times to see A.G. There was cruising every friday and saturday night in my home city back then. That was my social life.

[@raygillenwater9723]

Thank you for taking care of a part of our lives

[@valeriebivens1617]

And I was a 12 year old girl who had a sister that worked at a theatre that showed American Graffiti..I fell in love with this car also. I know I watched that movie at least 15 times that summer. It warms my heart knowing that someone who loves it as much as I do, has it. I'm sure your intentions are to preserve her as best as possible and to keep her originality as close as possible. That's So Awesome!!! 😀💝

[@MrCSRocker]

I was born in 1956, and I love the '56 Chevy BelAir best. But I really like the '58 too. Is it an Impala?

[@larrybaker5316]

my buddy in high school had a '58, I think it was an Impala, but could have been a Bel Air, but that was 56 years ago!

[@CovertOperation13]

I would like to know the pre history before American Graffiti ! Like did Lucius Film's build the car or was it purchased this way ? Who built it ? Was it someone's pride and joy ? Maybe talk to the original owner !

[@rgs4x]

It was built by Henry Travers and Richard Ruth specifically for the movie.

[@tpock63]

George gave us young viewers a glimpse of what it was like in America back in '62. I was only 8 when American graffiti was released and saw it 1st in '78 on the re re release it blew me away the cars and the music are the real hero's included were a few good characters.

[@GeeenJ]

i'd leave it alone there only original once if you restore it then its history is gone the patina on it gives it character and most times when a car is restored its fitted with lots of reproduction spares making it non original

[@robertunderwood6011]

Thank you for saving her

[@davekana8388]

Glad to see this car gets the love it deserves!❤

[@robertsargent4600]

Thank God for people like you it's a American legend

[@birdssurfshed]

An iconic Movie and Car that has ended up in the right hands. It needs and deserves to be kept as close as possible to the way it was in the film. Strange to think that at the time of the filming the car was only 15 years or so old from off of the factory build line!

[@ccjensen4670]

I believe Kent Folensbee of ALC machine suggested the paint scheme from one he saw in a magazine...I know he did some work on the 55 and always said he could under the car and know if it was the real deal....Bobby Johnson of Johnny Franklin Mufflers may have built the headers for the 32. I grew up in Sonoma County up until last year. I'm waiting for my 56 150 Chevy utility sedan to arrive from Petaluma...I moved out of state. It was used in "Peggy Sue Got Married" filmed at my high school.

[@nitewatch2.027]

This was my favorite car from the movie,,, would love one like it

[@cyclemaster46]

Beautiful 58 Impala. Why did the cut out the rear package shelf and put in a flat piece of flat metal ? I noticed that in the movie. Owned a 58 before they were cool.

[@richardthompson6366]

That car is awesome, my favorite car from the movie, what a machine.

[@peterdoolan1664]

I like you had my heart stolen by the 58 you are now so fortunate to own, Bring it back to its former glory as it appeared in the iconic move movie American Graffiti,,,,, Best looking car love it,,,cheers.

[@hellohila]

Thanks for preserving this Icon of a car. Bolander would be happy.

[@marcelmallory2761]

The movie and this car established the '58 as one of my all time favorite cars...

[@ezerod1858]

It's good to know that the original car by Ron Howard in American Graffitti still original as the movie. I'm just curious why the plate is from 56' and not 62'.

[@turbinexman]

I wish that he would've popped the hood!! I wanted to see if it was the 327 with 6 strombergs, or the stock 348!!

[@dontworrybehappy8080]

I'm so happy for you. Keep it the same buddy.

[@TWTexasA1]

I know the 58 isn’t everybody’s favorite but I love that body style and to have that one from American Graffiti is just awesome…👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@poncoolride]

Im in Washington state and I remember seeing that car around. I had heard the same guy bought the '32 coupe also, but for some reason I dont remember seeing it around when I was a kid.

[@davidwood1923]

Ha ha!... I Loved the Movie and can Appreciate the Car as well. Pretty Cool. Thanks for Sharing

[@patriotrob7066]

How come there is another guy I justed watched claims he has the original 58 from the film?? His name is Mike Famalett

[@livingadreamlife1428]

He is the guy who bought the car from Lucas Films and then sold the car to this guy.

[@vincentbelfire2873]

Great Movie great car. Glad to see the car again.

[@rayostermann7821]

Saw this movie in Basic training at Ft. Ord. in 72 or early 73 before the release...double time march 6 miles to see it. Great memory...

[@johnvrabec9747]

Just saw AG yesterday as part of the 50th anniversary showing, and I wouldn't do a thing to that car. It still looks great and you have the original Mojo of the movie in that paint.

[@grego934]

Love it , and I agree what a cool 58!

[@robbygee2539]

Why would you mess with it??? Good lord!!!

[@ImTheDaveman]

There's no way you can find who originally painted the car and did the striping? Surely if there's a will, there's a way. If you can't find the original painter and striper to find out how they did the work - PLEASE - just find a means to preserve it as it is.

[@rgs4x]

Richard Ruth and Henry Travers built the car for the movie

[@bwtv147]

Is the interior leather? I would have guessed Naugahyde. I also would have guessed a 348 or a 283 engine. The 327 came out in 1962. An advertising slogan for the movie was "Where were you in 62?"

[@paulfrederick8902]

The GREATEST movie of all time!!!!

[@johnminick7385]

Been awhile since this video was posted,but maybe you can answer a question for me. I read an in depth article about the Graffiti cars shortly after the movie came out. The new owner of this car had lined the trunk with wood paneling. Does that still exsist?

[@shawnhampshirehick101]

Looks good to me.why do a restoration ? Is that Imron paint? Is so let it alone. 🤔👍

[@larrybaker5316]

Great car, everyone in my high school So. Calif. 1967 had either a 55-56-or-57 Chevy! Loved the scene where "Toad" asked Ford what he had in his car, and Ford said "more than you can handle"....not a harrison fan (draft dodger) but this film is classic so. california in that era.

[@ccjensen4670]

I may be wrong....I was told years ago the car was painted in Marin County. I lived in Santa Rosa from 1953 on.

[@tierone4761]

CC Jensen Ahh Santa Rosa! I remember the area from being out there in the mid 1980’s. Also met a young lady from Heldsburg when we picked up a load of older muscle/classic cars & took them east to the Boston area to be sold. Great times & memories from being out there. Good Day to You!

[@charlesgreer7245]

Is that the tag from when it was in the movie? Just wondering bc it's a 58 with a 56 license plate.

[@eddean6663]

I saw this car at the Axalta tent in Bowling Green, Ky they over restored it. Wasn't any dents in the rear bumper when Toad backed up into the other car.

[@bluesharp59]

Happy New Years and a Thumbs Up for you.

[@robertloney46]

The car was sold in 74 or 75 to a guy in Washington.originally was given away at the premiere in Canada.i think it sold for around 2500.

[@hansgruber650]

Iconic movie and Iconic car along with the other two.

[@davidmathews2599]

No John Milners car is the ultimate hot rod.

[@StarlightWorkshop0z]

Joe dirt

[@SuperDavidmills]

@paul austin Know what other movie the 55 was used in?

[@nightmoves420]

@@SuperDavidmills two lane blacktop

[@danbasta3677]

AGREED! Love Millner's 32 Ford, it is the tops!

[@ajksfda]

@@SuperDavidmills two lane black top

[@kevingraham8119]

You don’t paint the car you keep it the way it is would you re-paint the Mona Lisa because of cracks in the paint?

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,Great presentation......you gotta make another video , so the thousands of us can see the engine ....Few people have seen the original engine,,,and fewer know what it was......

[@robertschreiber8099]

I'm one of the crowd, that says, "It's only original once." But, like Ray was pointing out, neglect has taken its toll. I'm sure it's not just the cosmetics, that need attention, but the mechanics, electrical, fuel, and brake plumbing, as well. This goes beyond the "preservation", state...... beyond the touching up of the paint.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

That's what my dad told me ,regarding the car I got from him almost 20yrs ago now. It's no old hot rod or anything you'd like at all, but I got it because he was offered 500$ on trade in ,so I gave him 500$. He keeps his cars nice ,and I'm doing the best I can at preserving it. I'm nutty about chalk marks as much as any resto guy. Glad I never did stupid things and modified it.

[@mowoodpecker]

i dont think the 327 came out until 1962 but i have some 348s laying around still

[@buckster2575]

I wanna swear American graffiti took place in 62 or 63.

[@josemejia9349]

Was the original tuck and roll two-tone?

[@dalemaus7189]

That is my dream car i loved that movie.

[@Alwhite1929]

That was my favorite car in the movie. Toads Imp.

[@michaelm1436]

Question. Were the door handles removed? Looks like you can only open from the inside.

[@scottm-nc9451]

That's call " shaving the handles" remove the putter handles and patch the holes... it may also have electronic openers that pop the doors open .. haven't seen them used in videos on the car so couldn't say for sure but most of the time that's what's done when you shave the handles.

[@jackfreeman4855]

The 58 impala is the ultimate bad ass rod alive

[@RivetGardener]

That was THE coolest car in the whole movie.

[@shawnevans6926]

That is one of my favorites lucky you

[@grampawwillie1665]

327 was introduced in 1962. did this have the 348?

[@vagabond3045]

I love the little 55 that they used in American graffiti and two lane blacktop but this car is cool to

[@randy4210]

Let it be.

[@samson9535]

My favorite movie of all time.

[@wcgillian]

I had made arrangements to go to Colville WA, years ago to do a photo shoot with the car. Unfortunately I never made it and the gentleman sold it before I could make the trip. I kick myself all the time for not getting it done.

[@danielmawn2672]

Why does the rear Plate have a "56 tag on it?

[@adamUDavies]

If I owned that , you would had to really really wanted it. Especially since you wanted it !

[@SD9Driver]

As iconic as the 55-57 Chevy's are, the 58s are just as sweet

[@dowen1511]

Oh no I would leave just as is man. There are just somethings in life you leave it be and let it age like a fine wine 👍

[@kenkaczmarz288]

I met a guy who was selling the axe that President George Washington chopped down his father's cherry tree with. It was getting old and fell into disrepair over the years. He said the other owners had changed the handle 3 times and the axe head twice. I LOVE HOT ROD RESTORATIONS. BUT THIS ONE SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE. THEY DIDN'T MESS WITH THE BULLITT MUSTANG.

[@rev.randall2292]

I Love The 58 !

[@godsowndrunk1118]

The 327 did come out in 62, the year the movie is set in, but I was hoping for a 348 with tri power....

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

You were meant to own that car . Its crazy how those things work out sometimes. I'm a painter or was and those stripes elude me & I know a little about custom paint. It had to have a Hurst shifter in it? I do not remember.

[@erickort1987]

whats it got for high performance engine parts

[@thewolfhunter]

Question: How much did you pay for it?

[@RandysFiftySevenChevy]

Paul La Matt signed my 57 and Candy was there also, I didn't want to pay the 5 bucks she wanted to have her sign it at the time. I wish i did.

[@johndelong5574]

We had a 58 chevy wagon that had the perfect suspension to induce projctile vomiting.

[@reneekrueger962]

My favorite car in that movie.

[@Frankinsteinguitar]

Nitrocellulose lacquer is readily available in places other than the USA.

[@xrsuperduper7660]

Super cool!

[@miketardy8342]

Do you still have the car

[@Petequinn741]

I'll take it and cherish the beauty it is..don't touch it. Just cruise and enjoy