Shop Time w/T.W. Friends

Good morning Wrenchmen

Today is the birthday (1940) of independent movie maker H.B. "Toby" Halicki, of "Gone in 60 Seconds" fame (1974). He wrote, directed, produced, starred in, was the stunt man for, built the stunt car for and financed the movie.

93 cars were crashed during the 40 minute, all action all the time chase sequence, with 127 damaged or destroyed in the entire film.
There were many unplanned accidents that ended up in the final cut as well, hitting the light pole and taking out the front line of the Cadillac dealership for example.

Should you decide to watch this icon of independent film everything you see is real and filmed with no CGI or other tricks including the jump, 128 feet long and Halicki did it himself, compacting 10 vertebra in the process. He unfortunately died while filming a sequel in 1989.

Race car driver Parnelli Jones and the Mayor of Carson California have cameo roles.

BTW, don't bother with the crappy 2000 remake. It might have been an alright movie if it was an original idea, compared to the original however it is just a "we can't think of anything good on our own" remake.

 

This along with movies like Two Lane Black Top from 1971 and Vanishing Point also from 1971 along with the chase scenes from 1968's Bullitt - all good stuff.

 

Got exhaust has passed along to me that the cover would be shipped directly from manufacturer and that he is reaching out to them (again) to get a status check.

 

Vanishing Point is my all time favorite movie.
(Also the victim of a real crappy remake )

It features two incredible soundtracks, first the normal music track which is provided from the car radio, it fits the movie like a glove but also the secondary track of the 440 engine in the Challenger.




Don't forget to include Duel also from 1971, starring Dennis Weaver. A wonderfully tightly written thriller by Richard Matheson, based on an incident that happened to him out on the highway. Younger folks might not quite understand just how isolated one could be in the days before cell phones, especially in the West.

Avid credit readers may recognize the name from the 16 episodes of Twilight Zone he wrote including Nightmare at 20,000 Feet starring a young actor named William Shatner.




Duel was also the first major work from some unknown director...
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What was his name... Smith??
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No...
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Spielberg, that's it. Wonder what ever happened to him.

Truck is a 1955 Peterbuilt, the car a 1971 Plymouth Valiant.

 

Good morning Shane and crew Have a terrific Taco Tuesday.

Thank you Rusty, new stuff for my watch list.

 

I like road movies.

 

When they complete the curriculum early, have them get their diploma early. Then they can start college early if they want!

 

I liked all those movies. I LOVE a few of the scenes in vanishing point…

 

FTFY

 

It does, but it's allowed!

 

Free 5/8-11 tap to good home. Serious inquiries only.

 

*Adjusts 'Rusty' Hat*

'55 Peterbilt 281 'Needlenose', with a Cummins small-cam 350 and probably backed by a Spicer 13 spd. The actual Duel truck apparently had a Cat prime mover (probably a 3406B).

 

Oops...

 

too soon?

 

3/8” carbide 4 flute end mill for the win.

 

And you saved the part it seems.

 

Yes sir, good thing too cause there are no extra

 

That must have sounded entertaining!

 

Customer just came by wanting a stand made and said it needs to be simple, cheap, and by Tuesday, I said those three things do not compute