Movie Cars...Have You Done It?

[fried okra]

Way back in the 1970's a friend's 1956 Cadillac was to be used in a movie scene. My friend couldn't be there one day so I drove it down for the filming.

The one day I did that I recall that scene involved an "angry Senator" where they did numerous retakes which involved SLAMMING the driver's door each time.

An old Caddie would hold up to that more than a Model A I'm sure.

[Oldbluoval]

Couple of buds cars were used in Road to Perdition.
As noted by Dick, they sprayed to relieve the shine and luster.
Same result…..almost ruined finish. Permanent issues.

[Ray in La Mesa]

We've been a couple films too, they didn't want the shiny paint so they just dusted it with cocoa powder on the darker colors. Then blew it off with an air hose, no damage.

[Randy in ca]

Unexpected things can easily happen on movie sets - ask Alec Baldwin!!

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

With all due respect none of these Model A cars belonged to Steve McQueen, none of them have Mustang appeal .....

The Bullitt Mustang NEVER belonged to McQueen. There were 2 purchased by the movie company and prepped by noted SoCal racer and car builder Max Balchowsky. One was pretty much destroyed during filming and was found 5-6 years ago in a Mexico scrap yard. Even though it's been authenticated some doubt exists in the eyes of Mustang collectors. The "hero" car (one used for the close ups and interior shots) had an unbroken provenance from the movie company through a couple owners. At the end of filming both were disposed of by the guy who prepped them. It was the most valuable Mustang until the first Shelby GT350 Competition Model beat it out.

[Ray in La Mesa]

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Max Balchowsky, that name brings back great memories of "old Yaller" The race car!

[Brendan]

i would never do it, only way is if i was with my car every day

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Brendan

i would never do it, only way is if i was with my car every day

That’s difficult if the filming site is 2300 miles away ( Detroit - SanFrancisco )! Also if you have a lead car in a television series or a movie you are talking significant accommodation and travel expenses. Wayne

[1crosscut]

Originally Posted by Brendan

i would never do it, only way is if i was with my car every day

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

That’s difficult if the filming site is 2300 miles away ( Detroit - SanFrancisco )! Also if you have a lead car in a television series or a movie you are talking significant accommodation and travel expenses. Wayne

Then I bet he wouldn't do it.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

Then I bet he wouldn't do it.

And I bet you are correct! Wayne

[Dodge]

Have done it several times with Cars and Boats. Most have been commercials.
Stuff can and does happen but the production companies are always real good about
taking care of things.
The worst I saw was a Dodge "Dog catcher" wagon from the early 1930's. The wagon was parked in front of a period bi-plane that needed to be prop started.
Well they propped it and the wheel chock came out and the plane moved slowly forward
chopping up the back of the wagon and destroying the prop on the plane.
The movie company paid for all the damage and paid the daily rate for the wagon
the whole time it was being fixed.
The owner said it came back better than before the damage and he made a small
fortune while it was in the shop.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by Dodge

Have done it several times with Cars and Boats. Most have been commercials.
Stuff can and does happen but the production companies are always real good about
taking care of things.
The worst I saw was a Dodge "Dog catcher" wagon from the early 1930's. The wagon was parked in front of a period bi-plane that needed to be prop started.
Well they propped it and the wheel chock came out and the plane moved slowly forward
chopping up the back of the wagon and destroying the prop on the plane.
The movie company paid for all the damage and paid the daily rate for the wagon
the whole time it was being fixed.
The owner said it came back better than before the damage and he made a small
fortune while it was in the shop.

I read of a Model A with excellent original paint that was rented to a studio. All was well until the movie was finished. Some idiot at the studio (without the owner's knowledge) decided to have the car repainted! Irrepairable damage!