You're very welcome. Yeah, I have had several folks ask for it and there's a surprisingly slim amount of info out there about it; but found just enough to make a video fortunately 😉👍
Being a kid of the 80s Class of 84…. I loved Corvette summer.. it was just right after StarWars!!! I actually saw the car in person years after at the corvette museum in Bowling Green Ky… Home of the corvette!!! I have over the years saw a few vetts with that same hood and body panels
Even when this came out in 1978 there was some controversy on the Vette's unique design. But if you doing a 70's custom car, the more over the top the more joy. Plus Luke Skywalker built it.
My love of Corvettes came from watching the movie. Now so many years later i just purchased a 69 Vette that has been sitting in a barn for the last forty years. My plan is to restore it to as close to factory as possible over the next six to twelve months.
I absolutely love this car, and would happily drive it around today if given the chance. I was around 7 years old when this movie was released and I dragged my mom and sister to the theater to watch it. The car was the center piece for me at the time, but having watched the movie more as an adult, there's for sure more to like than just the car. But it was for sure one of my earliest loves. LOL
When this movie came out, I was in high school and thought the car looked badass. But, then again, I thought polyester 'leisure suits looked cool too! Lol
When I first saw this movie when I was younger in the 80's, I thought that it was the coolest car on the planet. I recently found the movie on DVD and have been watching it @ least once a week.
Being a chrome bumper corvette fan, this episode was just what I needed. I really enjoyed the movie as a kid, but have only watched clips later on. Good stuff.
There was also a Datsun (240?) Z in the movie as an aside or joke almost but it really caught my eye. A few years later a 72 240z became my first car. Cool movie.
THANK YOU, CARSTARZ, for covering this one! Am hoping you've got the black Formula/T/A on the list, tho I know it's background. I don't even know if it would exist, but I'd love to see/hear an interview of M Hamill regarding this car/driving/filming experience. Annie Potts recently had done an interview regarding Ghostbusters return, where she briefly covered her Corvette Summer role, but not much info on the cars. Huge thanks!!
You're very welcome. Yeah, I have had several folks ask for it and there's a surprisingly slim amount of info out there about it; but found just enough to make a video fortunately; Plus of course, summer time fun! 😉👍
@CarStarz42 Man, personally I think you did an awesome job!! Being a little kid when it came out, I remember it as a real STANDOUT car, impressionability wise. Though the movie is kinda meh overall, any carguy isn't watching it for the drama value. THOUGH, there are a few good life lessons in it, most don't learn until much later - the deal between shop teacher & theif comes to mind. Thank you!
Thank you so much! This car has grown on me over the years. While I enjoyed the movie, back then, I thought it was too over the top. Those moon roofs are quite rare and popular among the C3 Vette crowd. They were only offered in 1977, replaced by GM’s own full glass tops in 1978. Again, many thanks ~ Chuck
You're welcome and same opinion here; I respect the custom work that they put into creating it and it has grown on me a bit too, but it is still pretty crazy looking, lol 😁
I for one love the Corvette Summer movie and car. I like unique stuff. The movie itself was pretty cheesy but I thought the car was pretty amazing and unique. I saw the replica at a car show down in the Phoenix area a few years ago. I have some photos of it too and it needed a lot of work. I had to laugh after I spoke to the owner because I didn't want to show my true feelings about it in front of them. They loved it and I didn't want to piss in their wheaties. Thanks for the facts about the car too.
I always thought she was cute in Designing Women but didn't know she was in Corbette Summer! Even in her early 70's as Sheldon's "Mee Maw" on Young Sheldon, she is still a beautiful woman!!!
I remember seeing one of the cars advertised for sale for $19,000 in AutoTrader back in the 1980s. The black firebird is an interesting car as well - it was likely made by the same custom shop that did Ponch’s firebird from CHiPs, if not the same car with a new paint job.
You know what's crazy.... I remember this car being in AutoTrader back in the 80s. I would have sold my trans am just to purchase this car. Anyways you're absolutely correct it was in AutoTrader
I was a 13 year old car loving kid. One day while at the grocery store with my mom I spot a paper back novel titled “Corvette Summer.” A color pic of the movie car was on the cover. I was awestruck and I begged my mom to buy the book for me. She did and I had my first paperback novel. I read it all in one night. I loved the story and that car just looked so good. ( Okay but I was a 13 year old kid.) After the last page there was another page advertising the Corvette Summer film coming out this summer! And sure enough it was coming out in two weeks. I again made my mom take me. I of course loved it, and I still do. I know it’s a “bad” film, I get it. I don’t care I will always love it and the car as well.
All of those people you see in the background in the movie. They weren't "extras". That's how Van Nuys Blvd. looked every Wed. night. My friends and I did more than our share of cruising back when they filmed this movie. There were lot's of people on Friday and Sat. night but Wed. drew the most people IMO. Sadly it's a time in history that will never return. My youth I miss it very much.
I saw that Vette in Massachusetts at a store in the late 70s. I didn't see the movie until 84' or 85' but when I did I knew that was the Vette I saw. The funky intake scoops on the hood were unforgettable.
I enjoyed this movie. I felt the sadness when Luke lost his car. I like the T/A or formula with the hood scoops and center scoop. Looking for one of those hoods for my T/A but do not want to cut up one to achieve look.
Showcars fiberglass in Canada will build almost anything you want. We had them a gsx type rear wing to bolt on a 71 pontiac ventura along with a hood with the formula scoops on it for the same car. Its takes a little time since they build it from scratch when you order it.
Awesome! Would love to see something on the bad guys black Firebird since it was repainted a different color and also used in CHiP's TV series as Ponch's car.
Love all the facts you gave! Love this car! I remember when these were sold like in the late 70s/early 80s I actually got an information package with all the specs. Wish I still had those spec sheets. I think I saw the ad in the back of a car magazine.
What about the part in the film where the car is resprayed? Always wondered about that. I guess the stunt car was painted a different colour for those scenes & then resprayed red for the end chase? Alot of work considering the fancy paint scheme!
Thanks for including the manufacturer of the rims on this car! My buddies older brother had a '68 or ;69 Charger about the same colour as the one in Dirty Mary Crazy Larry with a black vinyl roof and black stripe around the back when my buddy and I were maybe 12 in 1980.The only pic to exist was lost in a house fire years later and his brother has passed away since then. This car had the widest street legal bias ply square edged tires on the back and skinnies on the front. Sat higher in the back and was just MEAN looking. I've never seen turbines since with as many ribs and wondered who made them. Again, thanks!
I like the Trans Am in the movie. That car has my favorite front end of any muscle car. Were there any movies with a '70-'73 Firebird/Trans Am as the hero car?
The car they used in Corvette Summer was actually one of one from CHIPS. Remember Ponch drove a gold trans am(71-73), and IF you SLOWLY go frame by frame in the big crash scene, you'll clearly see that car had been slathered in gold. I always thought the chase scene at the beginning was some of the best shots of that T/A!
@LongIslandMopars At least ONE of those was actually a Super Duty 455 car, I'm thinking the one crushed in the alley. If you watch close, some shots show the SD 455 on the Shaker.
@LongIslandMopars YUP! However, back then, they were just used cars - just like most of any of our favorite hero cars over the years. Lol, it's hard to guess which show consumed more cars, i.e, Rockford Files vs Dukes of Hazard, etc. I'm with ya tho!
One of the two ended up in the Portland Oregon area. It had some body damage, so it could have been the stunt car. I had spied it three times while it was here.
I THINK, going off memory, that Firebird ended up as Ponch's in CHiPs, as it had the same hood with TA and Formula scoops and full flares. Also, side note, the freeway closed scene was on the 210 in Sunland, Ca, same freeway used by CHiPs also.
In saw the one in Australia when I was a kid. It was in a small car yard near Lake Parramatta. When the recession hit here, I saw it in the luxury auctions in Sydney.
The guy that built this car got to bring it home with him after the movie was shot. It was in Morgan Hill, Cal. where I lived. I remember driving past his house and seeing it in the driveway!! So cool!!!
I really enjoyed your video. I remember seeing a really good replica, at a car show in Staten Island, NY, around 2009. It had the accurate bowtie tailight.
@@CarStarz42 if you havnt seen the movie??? Hold on!!! Cause its awesome jts everything u want from burt reynolds and alot of real nascar racing and drivers are in it. Stoker Ace Was Born To Race! 🤘
mark hamill was in a vette parade near toledo ohio im guessing about a year after this movie came out....my mom yelled at him and he stopped and stood up through the top to wave and say hi...ill never forget that
The actor that plays the replicant 'Leon' in Blade Runner plays one of the bad guys in Corvette Summer. Might be the guy driving the Firebird, I'll have to watch the movie again.
Being from the UK, I've never heard of this film but the thought of a RHD C3 really peaked my interest and I fully understand the film cars being in NZ and Aus. I love the C3 and C2 Corvette but I much prefer the hard top versions.
Yeah, I'm right there with you on that opinion for sure. Indeed, right hand drive cars would be kind of a pain to use for us here in the states anyways; so those cars are best to be in right hand drive dominant countries 😉👍
@@CarStarz42 I've driven LHD here and the only issue I tend to have is when overtaking larger vehicles due to blind spots but fine otherwise. I do prefer auto though with LHD, I've enough to think about haha!!
@@graemew7001 Yeah, passing big trucks would be tougher for sure; that and of course try to use drive throughs at fast food restaurants that we have so many of here in the states, lol! 😁
@@CarStarz42 Oh we have loads of those here in the UK too nowadays, I'd forgotten about that downside, that's a far more important consideration haha!!
I was in love with that Corvette but now it’s kind of weird. I’m still a big fan of the movie. Mark Hamill still went on to have quite an acting career after the Star Wars trilogy in voice acting and doing well at it today.
I was 11 when it came out and I saw it at the drive inn with my parents. Already loved Vettes before that, but this one knocked it out of the park for me! The only thing I didn't like was the asymmetrical hood scoop. Never forgot this car!
Also a couple little known facts about the bad guys Big Bad Black T/A. When production was over it was used as Ponchs Trans Am in CHIPs. And if I remember right there was another replica at Peterson's Museum but it was also left hand drive
I have never seen this movie but a few years back, (and we in the UK lag way behind you guys stateside in relation to TV programmes), Richard Rawlings and Dennis Collins unearthed a Corvette that had been sitting in a garage for years that was supposed to be the movie car. The thing I remember about the episode is that they hit a low wall on the test drive either coming out of the garage or returning to the seller's premises. Anybody remember that Gas Monkey episode?
I loved this car as a kid. I still like the paint, clam shell hood and scoop but the nose and tail work just don't do it for me anymore. Thanks for the video.
Dare to be Different 70s I love this vette use to catch the movie 12 midnight when I was a kid I bought the DVD wish I can get a hot wheels version to add to my collection
As an 80s kid the bad guys Trans Am in this movie is what made me want a Firebird more than snokey and the bandit ever did.....I believe it later ended up on CHiPS as Ponch's first "bronze beauty" firebird......both cars had alot of the same parts
id love to know the story behind the car getting the recolor for the movie was it painted twice just for the shot? id love to do a replica of that color car even though i like the red more! definitely my favorite car on earth only maybe compared to tony danza 57 chevy in the hollywood knights! love your vid
I just came across this great video. I'd love to know where the Corvettes from the Billy Jack and Lifeguard movies are now. Before buying my '69, I was looking for them.
If I remember right, they took off the lower front air dam for the driving scenes off-road. If you watch the movie, its toward the end when they're being chased by the Firebird. Ut would have never survived otherwise.
Speaking of Corvettes, you should make a video about the Corvette stingray that Tom Hanks drove in Apollo 13. I know it’s only shown in a few scenes but there’s a really fascinating backstory between NASA and the Chevrolet Corvette during the ‘60’s and early ‘70’s. Many stories of how that association came to be back then that could make for 10 facts.
@@CarStarz42 I know it’s probably too late but since Thanksgiving is coming soon I thought another one could be 10 facts about Neil & Del’s burnt up rental Chrysler LeBaron in Planes Trains and Automobiles.
I always loved this car...the replicar was half-assed at best...completely screwed up the front, which is probably why they didn't even attempt the back...
Nicely done video my friend as i couldn't pay me 25 million dollars to drive let alone sit in this rolling disco disaster 😅😅 anyway thanks and have good week bye now. P.S. Hey CarStarz you will do the 65 stingray form t.v. show 'StingRay' in the future.
The story of that Corvette all but tracks the movie plot beyond the crusher too... My grandmother knew the designer... And showed me the article chronicling the fact that like in the movie, after the customizing was done, it was stolen from the movie lot...
It was completely over the top which made it so Cool. However, as someone who has been doing custom upholstery for more than 3 decades my biggest problem with the build was the fact that such a Bad Ass car had a very plain and boring stock interior.
I would assume another fact is that all the gold paint movie scenes had to be shot first when the car thieves stole the Vette and then all the candy apple red movie shots got filmed later.
FINALLY. If there's one car movie that needed some cool facts it was Corvette Summer. Thank you! Loved this movie as a kid.
You're very welcome. Yeah, I have had several folks ask for it and there's a surprisingly slim amount of info out there about it; but found just enough to make a video fortunately 😉👍
You said the RHD layout was not a Europe spec Vette. The only two places in Europe that have RHD are the UK and Ireland.
@@gregorylawson8346 I meant the Vettes used in the film were not FACTORY RHD, but converted to RHD specifically for the film.
OK cool. Great channel though. I came across it by chance and now don't miss a video. Keep up the great work !
@@gregorylawson8346 Cool and thanks. Glad you are enjoying it 🙂👍
Being a kid of the 80s Class of 84…. I loved Corvette summer.. it was just right after StarWars!!! I actually saw the car in person years after at the corvette museum in Bowling Green Ky… Home of the corvette!!! I have over the years saw a few vetts with that same hood and body panels
This movie got me into Vettes and muscle cars
This movie is a guilty pleasure of mine - I'd kill to go back in time to 1978.
LOL
they need to make a diecast or a model kit of this car. i love this car from that movie!!!
😉👍
Yes lol I just commented this on another post on this video lol. There’s a few customs but nothing licensed.
Even when this came out in 1978 there was some controversy on the Vette's unique design. But if you doing a 70's custom car, the more over the top the more joy. Plus Luke Skywalker built it.
Lol, true indeed! 😁
Well, he played the guy who built it anyway...
The hood pins to hold the clamshell down are a nice touch. When you're dealing with 190 hp and a 3 speed auto, you can't be too careful!
LOL, Indeed. Hold on for dear life! 😁
@@CarStarz42 Exactly. This is why I tie the water bottle on to my bike with a shoelace.
My love of Corvettes came from watching the movie.
Now so many years later i just purchased a 69 Vette that has been sitting in a barn for the last forty years.
My plan is to restore it to as close to factory as possible over the next six to twelve months.
I absolutely love this car, and would happily drive it around today if given the chance. I was around 7 years old when this movie was released and I dragged my mom and sister to the theater to watch it. The car was the center piece for me at the time, but having watched the movie more as an adult, there's for sure more to like than just the car. But it was for sure one of my earliest loves. LOL
Another favorite movie as a kid...
When this movie came out, I was in high school and thought the car looked badass. But, then again, I thought polyester 'leisure suits looked cool too! Lol
😁
1978 I think, mom took me on a road trip to San Francisco from LA on the 101. WE came across the Corvette Summer Vette at a hamburger stand, so cool!
I don't care what anybody says I fell in love with that Corvette as a kid when I saw the movie.
Same! I wish they made a diecast version of this car!
@@mrspools9880 Same here my friend.
Just watched the movie 2 days ago! I'm the proud owner of a Daytona Sunset Orange C6. Cheers to the Corvette community in the US! 🍻
That multifaceted asymmetric hood scoop is a love it or hate it centrepiece. Cool car, anyway. Always interesting to see a customizer's design ideas.
When I first saw this movie when I was younger in the 80's, I thought that it was the coolest car on the planet. I recently found the movie on DVD and have been watching it @ least once a week.
Being a chrome bumper corvette fan, this episode was just what I needed. I really enjoyed the movie as a kid, but have only watched clips later on. Good stuff.
There was also a Datsun (240?) Z in the movie as an aside or joke almost but it really caught my eye. A few years later a 72 240z became my first car. Cool movie.
thanks for covering this car. certainly the design points have long been of interest. so hideous it's cool.
Lol, good description of how most feel about it there 😉
THANK YOU, CARSTARZ, for covering this one!
Am hoping you've got the black Formula/T/A on the list, tho I know it's background.
I don't even know if it would exist, but I'd love to see/hear an interview of M Hamill regarding this car/driving/filming experience.
Annie Potts recently had done an interview regarding Ghostbusters return, where she briefly covered her Corvette Summer role, but not much info on the cars.
Huge thanks!!
You're welcome, yeah the T/A is on the list when I eventually get to do second rounds for secondary movie cars later down the road👍
Very happy you did this car I have always wanted to know about it
You're very welcome. Yeah, I have had several folks ask for it and there's a surprisingly slim amount of info out there about it; but found just enough to make a video fortunately; Plus of course, summer time fun! 😉👍
@CarStarz42 Man, personally I think you did an awesome job!!
Being a little kid when it came out, I remember it as a real STANDOUT car, impressionability wise. Though the movie is kinda meh overall, any carguy isn't watching it for the drama value. THOUGH, there are a few good life lessons in it, most don't learn until much later - the deal between shop teacher & theif comes to mind.
Thank you!
I saw this movie back in the 70's when i was a little kid..Thanks
You're welcome😉👍
Thank you so much! This car has grown on me over the years. While I enjoyed the movie, back then, I thought it was too over the top. Those moon roofs are quite rare and popular among the C3 Vette crowd. They were only offered in 1977, replaced by GM’s own full glass tops in 1978. Again, many thanks ~ Chuck
You're welcome and same opinion here; I respect the custom work that they put into creating it and it has grown on me a bit too, but it is still pretty crazy looking, lol 😁
I for one love the Corvette Summer movie and car. I like unique stuff. The movie itself was pretty cheesy but I thought the car was pretty amazing and unique. I saw the replica at a car show down in the Phoenix area a few years ago. I have some photos of it too and it needed a lot of work. I had to laugh after I spoke to the owner because I didn't want to show my true feelings about it in front of them. They loved it and I didn't want to piss in their wheaties. Thanks for the facts about the car too.
Fact #11: I always thought Annie Potts was cute. 😊
I always thought she was cute in Designing Women but didn't know she was in Corbette Summer! Even in her early 70's as Sheldon's "Mee Maw" on Young Sheldon, she is still a beautiful woman!!!
@@briansauer6695if y'all like Annie Potts check out her "bad girl" role in "Who's Harry Crumb?"!
@@r.shanethompson7933 I'll have to do that! Thanks!
@@briansauer6695 you'll enjoy it. John Candy stars and as for Annie it is a completely different role from any other ive seen her in.
I remember seeing one of the cars advertised for sale for $19,000 in AutoTrader back in the 1980s. The black firebird is an interesting car as well - it was likely made by the same custom shop that did Ponch’s firebird from CHiPs, if not the same car with a new paint job.
I saw that same ad. That was a lot of money back then.
Black Trans Am with Firebird Formula hood scoops
i saw it for sale in the back of hot rod several times
It was the same car...
Just like American Graffiti 55 went on to do Four Lane Blacktop....I think it looked better in Chips...😊
You know what's crazy.... I remember this car being in AutoTrader back in the 80s. I would have sold my trans am just to purchase this car. Anyways you're absolutely correct it was in AutoTrader
I loved Corvette Summer! Saw it many times at the drive-in!!
Love this film. And LOVED what was done to them Vette. Parts of the film are funny and touching. Deserves a better following.
😉👍
I was a 13 year old car loving kid. One day while at the grocery store with my mom I spot a paper back novel titled “Corvette Summer.” A color pic of the movie car was on the cover. I was awestruck and I begged my mom to buy the book for me. She did and I had my first paperback novel.
I read it all in one night. I loved the story and that car just looked so good. ( Okay but I was a 13 year old kid.)
After the last page there was another page advertising the Corvette Summer film coming out this summer! And sure enough it was coming out in two weeks. I again made my mom take me. I of course loved it, and I still do.
I know it’s a “bad” film, I get it. I don’t care I will always love it and the car as well.
Cool story there! 😉👍
I had to watch that movie again (after 40+ years) last year. I was a lot of fun then and now. Thanks for posting this!
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂👍
I remember this movie very cool car.👍
All of those people you see in the background in the movie. They weren't "extras". That's how Van Nuys Blvd. looked every Wed. night. My friends and I did more than our share of cruising back when they filmed this movie. There were lot's of people on Friday and Sat. night but Wed. drew the most people IMO. Sadly it's a time in history that will never return. My youth I miss it very much.
Same here spent my share of time on Van Nuys Blvd and various car hangouts during the 80s. Man has it ever changed!
@@gordocarbo They say that we have "progressed" since then, I'm not so sure about that.
@@lilorbielilorbie2496 Agreed. I'd say, 'digressed', would be more accurate.
Love these videos, Great channel ❤️
🚗 💨
Thank you and glad to hear you are enjoying it 🙂👍
143 films on DVD, whose star is the car .... in my current collection. Of course Corvette Summer is in there.
😉👍
I saw that Vette in Massachusetts at a store in the late 70s. I didn't see the movie until 84' or 85' but when I did I knew that was the Vette I saw. The funky intake scoops on the hood were unforgettable.
Yeah, would be very hard to forget that terrifying hood indeed, lol!
i loved this movie as a kid...and now it is free on you tube..
I loved this car as crazy as it looked
I enjoyed this movie. I felt the sadness when Luke lost his car. I like the T/A or formula with the hood scoops and center scoop. Looking for one of those hoods for my T/A but do not want to cut up one to achieve look.
Showcars fiberglass in Canada will build almost anything you want.
We had them a gsx type rear wing to bolt on a 71 pontiac ventura along with a hood with the formula scoops on it for the same car.
Its takes a little time since they build it from scratch when you order it.
Finally! This is the one I have been waiting for.
Glad to hear that and yep, I had several requests for this one so your not alone 😉
This channel is so great! You cover so many good movie cars. Keep up the great work!
Thanks much and will do👍
Its free on youtube right now. I was 11 in 1978 and still have a crush on Annie Potts
Awesome! Would love to see something on the bad guys black Firebird since it was repainted a different color and also used in CHiP's TV series as Ponch's car.
Thanks, yep; those are already on my long to do list. Thanks
This movie is a large part of my love for outrageous bodywork, plus kandy over metalflake! Good time to recreate it with a different vision 😊
Lol, are you going to make a C8 based version then? 😉
@@CarStarz42 Hmmm... That would piss of a lot of people, and that would make me happy! 😁✌️
@@jparker785 😁
Love all the facts you gave! Love this car! I remember when these were sold like in the late 70s/early 80s I actually got an information package with all the specs. Wish I still had those spec sheets. I think I saw the ad in the back of a car magazine.
So very cool thanks for your time 👍👍👍👍👍😊
You bet😉👍
What about the part in the film where the car is resprayed? Always wondered about that. I guess the stunt car was painted a different colour for those scenes & then resprayed red for the end chase? Alot of work considering the fancy paint scheme!
they could have filmed the end scene before it was painted silver
@@willdatsun Think it was painted Gold at Waynes shop
Great video! One of my favorite car movies!
Thanks much and glad you enjoyed it; it's one unique car for sure😉👍
I've always wanted to build a modern day replica of this car!
Thanks for including the manufacturer of the rims on this car! My buddies older brother had a '68 or ;69 Charger about the same colour as the one in Dirty Mary Crazy Larry with a black vinyl roof and black stripe around the back when my buddy and I were maybe 12 in 1980.The only pic to exist was lost in a house fire years later and his brother has passed away since then. This car had the widest street legal bias ply square edged tires on the back and skinnies on the front. Sat higher in the back and was just MEAN looking. I've never seen turbines since with as many ribs and wondered who made them. Again, thanks!
You're very welcome and sounds like a cool Charger and guy indeed! 😉👍
LOVE the movie and the Vette!! Also my DREAM CAR was the dark blue Trans Am with the Formula scooped hood!! 😎🤟🏾🔥😆
Yeah, that Trans-Am looked great at least 😉
i dig the front end and rear tail lights design!! 👀👀
I like the Trans Am in the movie. That car has my favorite front end of any muscle car. Were there any movies with a '70-'73 Firebird/Trans Am as the hero car?
The car they used in Corvette Summer was actually one of one from CHIPS. Remember Ponch drove a gold trans am(71-73), and IF you SLOWLY go frame by frame in the big crash scene, you'll clearly see that car had been slathered in gold.
I always thought the chase scene at the beginning was some of the best shots of that T/A!
McQ with John Wayne. He drove a Formula 400. That's my favorite 'bird.
@LongIslandMopars At least ONE of those was actually a Super Duty 455 car, I'm thinking the one crushed in the alley. If you watch close, some shots show the SD 455 on the Shaker.
@@jamesthompson8008 That is more a tragedy than the movie....😎
@LongIslandMopars YUP! However, back then, they were just used cars - just like most of any of our favorite hero cars over the years.
Lol, it's hard to guess which show consumed more cars, i.e, Rockford Files vs Dukes of Hazard, etc.
I'm with ya tho!
I always did like this movie and the car in it too.
It was quite unique for sure 😉
One of the two ended up in the Portland Oregon area. It had some body damage, so it could have been the stunt car. I had spied it three times while it was here.
I THINK, going off memory, that Firebird ended up as Ponch's in CHiPs, as it had the same hood with TA and Formula scoops and full flares. Also, side note, the freeway closed scene was on the 210 in Sunland, Ca, same freeway used by CHiPs also.
Yeah, something like that; I'll look into it eventually 😉👍
In saw the one in Australia when I was a kid. It was in a small car yard near Lake Parramatta. When the recession hit here, I saw it in the luxury auctions in Sydney.
I've always loved that car.. I had a 73 trans am Brewster green 455 super duty and when I saw that movie made me wish I had that Vette..
It's an interesting creation for sure 😉
Man i first saw this movie on a vhs when i was about 7 years old in 1988. Im 43 now and i still think this is the most badass car in any movie
It's unique for sure 😉👍
awesome
👍
The guy that built this car got to bring it home with him after the movie was shot. It was in Morgan Hill, Cal. where I lived. I remember driving past his house and seeing it in the driveway!! So cool!!!
Cool 😉👍
As fugly as the car is, I still love it and still one of my favorite cars and car movies! Another great video brother!
Lol, thanks 👍
@@CarStarz42 Watchung Cannonball Run right now!
Loved this movie man! Made me a gearhead. Thought the movie name was corvette dreams for some reason
😉👍
I really enjoyed your video. I remember seeing a really good replica, at a car show in Staten Island, NY, around 2009. It had the accurate bowtie tailight.
Glad you enjoyed it and that's cool 😉👍
Watched this movie once when it was on HBO, only because I was a kid and a huge _Star Wars_ fan..
Gettin excited for STROKER ACE hopefully!!!!
It is indeed on my list to look into 😉👍
@@CarStarz42 if you havnt seen the movie??? Hold on!!! Cause its awesome jts everything u want from burt reynolds and alot of real nascar racing and drivers are in it. Stoker Ace Was Born To Race! 🤘
mark hamill was in a vette parade near toledo ohio im guessing about a year after this movie came out....my mom yelled at him and he stopped and stood up through the top to wave and say hi...ill never forget that
The actor that plays the replicant 'Leon' in Blade Runner plays one of the bad guys in Corvette Summer. Might be the guy driving the Firebird, I'll have to watch the movie again.
Being from the UK, I've never heard of this film but the thought of a RHD C3 really peaked my interest and I fully understand the film cars being in NZ and Aus. I love the C3 and C2 Corvette but I much prefer the hard top versions.
Yeah, I'm right there with you on that opinion for sure. Indeed, right hand drive cars would be kind of a pain to use for us here in the states anyways; so those cars are best to be in right hand drive dominant countries 😉👍
@@CarStarz42 I've driven LHD here and the only issue I tend to have is when overtaking larger vehicles due to blind spots but fine otherwise. I do prefer auto though with LHD, I've enough to think about haha!!
@@graemew7001 Yeah, passing big trucks would be tougher for sure; that and of course try to use drive throughs at fast food restaurants that we have so many of here in the states, lol! 😁
@@CarStarz42 Oh we have loads of those here in the UK too nowadays, I'd forgotten about that downside, that's a far more important consideration haha!!
@@graemew7001 LOL! 😁
I was in love with that Corvette but now it’s kind of weird. I’m still a big fan of the movie. Mark Hamill still went on to have quite an acting career after the Star Wars trilogy in voice acting and doing well at it today.
To my 12 year old self in 78, that car was absolutely beautiful
😉👍
I was 11 when it came out and I saw it at the drive inn with my parents. Already loved Vettes before that, but this one knocked it out of the park for me! The only thing I didn't like was the asymmetrical hood scoop. Never forgot this car!
Also a couple little known facts about the bad guys Big Bad Black T/A. When production was over it was used as Ponchs Trans Am in CHIPs. And if I remember right there was another replica at Peterson's Museum but it was also left hand drive
Interesting, I'll get around covering that T/A on second rounds down the road eventually 😉
I have never seen this movie but a few years back, (and we in the UK lag way behind you guys stateside in relation to TV programmes), Richard Rawlings and Dennis Collins unearthed a Corvette that had been sitting in a garage for years that was supposed to be the movie car. The thing I remember about the episode is that they hit a low wall on the test drive either coming out of the garage or returning to the seller's premises. Anybody remember that Gas Monkey episode?
I loved this car as a kid. I still like the paint, clam shell hood and scoop but the nose and tail work just don't do it for me anymore. Thanks for the video.
Fun film.
Can you do a video about the black 1971 trans am from this film ?
That black trans am looked so cool.
Indeed, yeah that Trans Am is on my list to look into when I eventually get a second round through the list further down the road. Thanks
Thank you !!!!
@@CarStarz42
Such a So Over-Done car even back in the day. But I absolutely loved this car!😊
Lol, very much so 😉
Dare to be Different 70s I love this vette use to catch the movie 12 midnight when I was a kid I bought the DVD wish I can get a hot wheels version to add to my collection
This Corvette is what Luke Skywalker wishes his landspeeder on Tatooine could be,The Force is strong with this one.
As an 80s kid the bad guys Trans Am in this movie is what made me want a Firebird more than snokey and the bandit ever did.....I believe it later ended up on CHiPS as Ponch's first "bronze beauty" firebird......both cars had alot of the same parts
Yeah, I do indeed love the looks of that Trans Am, sure beat the Vette in every aspect 😉
id love to know the story behind the car getting the recolor for the movie was it painted twice just for the shot? id love to do a replica of that color car even though i like the red more! definitely my favorite car on earth only maybe compared to tony danza 57 chevy in the hollywood knights! love your vid
I just came across this great video. I'd love to know where the Corvettes from the Billy Jack and Lifeguard movies are now. Before buying my '69, I was looking for them.
Glad you enjoyed it and I'll add that to my mega list to look into, thanks.
If I remember right, they took off the lower front air dam for the driving scenes off-road. If you watch the movie, its toward the end when they're being chased by the Firebird. Ut would have never survived otherwise.
A long time ago I saw an ad in a car trader magazine advertisement for that car!
Cool 👍
Speaking of Corvettes, you should make a video about the Corvette stingray that Tom Hanks drove in Apollo 13. I know it’s only shown in a few scenes but there’s a really fascinating backstory between NASA and the Chevrolet Corvette during the ‘60’s and early ‘70’s. Many stories of how that association came to be back then that could make for 10 facts.
Good idea indeed, I'll add it to the list; Thanks👍
@@CarStarz42 I know it’s probably too late but since Thanksgiving is coming soon I thought another one could be 10 facts about Neil & Del’s burnt up rental Chrysler LeBaron in Planes Trains and Automobiles.
@@dave1986R Not too late, I'm working on that one right now in fact 😉👍
I always loved this car...the replicar was half-assed at best...completely screwed up the front, which is probably why they didn't even attempt the back...
Nicely done video my friend as i couldn't pay me 25 million dollars to drive let alone sit in this rolling disco disaster 😅😅 anyway thanks and have good week bye now. P.S. Hey CarStarz you will do the 65 stingray form t.v. show 'StingRay' in the future.
Thanks, lol. I'll add that one to the list to look into. Thanks again
@CarStarz42 no problem my friend.
Would love to see you do earl Hickey's el Camino
I'll add it to the list to look into. Thanks
The force is strong with this 'vette.
lol, 😉
The original ultra rice rocket. Hated that car - but loved Annie Potts and her van
Lol, yeah. She was the highlight of the film for sure 😉👍
The story of that Corvette all but tracks the movie plot beyond the crusher too... My grandmother knew the designer... And showed me the article chronicling the fact that like in the movie, after the customizing was done, it was stolen from the movie lot...
interesting
You should do one on Ponch’s Firebird , and note that the black Firebird used in Corvette Summer is one of the same cars used in CHIPs
Yep, those are indeed already on my to do list 😉👍
No mention of the light saber in the glove box. Also, Annie Potts still looking good.
😁👍
It was completely over the top which made it so Cool. However, as someone who has been doing custom upholstery for more than 3 decades my biggest problem with the build was the fact that such a Bad Ass car had a very plain and boring stock interior.
LOL, true enough!
Someone posted the original? Corvette that was used to promote this movie on FB marketplace in Monument Colorado for 75K.
Interesting 😉
Would love to know info about the bad guys Trans Am too
Yep, will do when I eventually make a second sweep through my long movie list to cover secondary cars 😉👍
I would assume another fact is that all the gold paint movie scenes had to be shot first when the car thieves stole the Vette and then all the candy apple red movie shots got filmed later.
I remember Richard Rawlings and Dennis from coffee walk wond up with one those cars
it was a fake.mentioned it in the video.
Yes love the vet but the green firebird I love to have it 😊😊😊
I think it was a black Firebird, but yes; I'd definitely take the Firebird over the blingy Vette for sure 😉
In the Movie. When the corvette was Gold, was that the base paint before the tint colors were sprayed on?
Mark Hamill had just had an accident prior to filming and wore prescription underwear throughout the film.
Depends pre blowout barrier version
I like the firebird in the background better 😊
Definitely 😉👍
I heard actor Mark Hamill was left handed & had trouble using a manual transmission. He had trouble with traditional GM Stingray cars.