That's actually the builder of the '55 I think his name is Richard Ruth. Another interseting pic in that it is showing something that blows me away. The '55 had no air cleaners whatsoever. Even then, motors had to be worth protecting with $10 worth of bargain basement cleaners.
neat post. I just watched it a couple of weeks ago. forgot about the "moon" it seems every time I watch it I see somthing i missed.. didn't the 55 turn into a 4dron the roll over?
No, it was a two door with spray painted chrome wheels, it took 4 takes because the car wouldnt roll over, so the crew had to physically push it over for the shot.
I have heard Richard tell the story of this build several times, he even has a picture book with build pics. when he first build it, it was real nice light blue and very well detailed.. the producers wanted him to "ugly it up" make it more "real" so that is what he did, primer paint and the whole bit. just some FYI. I will see if Richard will let me make some copies of the pics. to post.
GREAT THREAD MUTTLEY. THE STILLS ARE FRIGGIN COOL. HERES THE ORIGINAL TRAILER. I HAD NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Jo1gH89VM
Whats the story of Modesto, Ca claiming that the film was shot there I always heard that it was in Petaluma,Ca but since I moved over near Modesto every body says it was flimed here? whats up with that...
Movie was shot in Petaluma not Modesto, I guess Modesto didn't look enough like Modesto, ... or Petaluma was easier for Lucas to work with, the people at American Grafetti Petaluma have a map on thier web site with the locations then and now. Lucas grew up in Modesto
Dont forget San Rafael,Ca as well.It was to be shot in San Rafael and after a few days the city decided they didnt want them shotting there any longer so They had to find a new location and that was Petaluma.The airport scene at the end is Buchanan Airport in Concord,Ca right off Hwy 4.The one way street crusing scenes are San Rafael.
The 55 was in an eposode of Adam 12. it was about street racing and mcord drove a bad ass 56 ford undercover.
That explains why Modesto did a bronze statue of the movie because George Lucas was from there and people must think that this statue at the start of McHenry Ave is because they filmed the movie there...........
Kinda funny how the movie biz thinks, when they did the Steven Stainer story which took place in Merced they filmed all of it in other places??? Check this out. http://www.americangraffiti.net/filming_locations_map.html
Easy, California Kid. hahahahaaa Side pipes? Who checked off on that?! Aloha Bobby and Rose was a good one.
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