THE CARS FROM UFO

Strakers Car

 

Fosters Car

 

I do love concept cars. I blame Matchbox for this. Oh, and the Sixties and Seventies too. They were bristling with the things! Gerry Anderson's UFO in 1970 had two of the best. What has happened to them since is even more interesting.

 

UFO fan and expert Marc Martin writes extensively on the subject on the UFO Series Home Page and has kindly given permission for it to be reprinted here. Marc adds "There was a third car as well, not mentioned in this article. Last I heard it was in was in storage at a car museum, but that was like 20 years ago, so I have no idea where it is now."

"Straker's and Foster's futuristic automobiles were originally designed by Derek Meddings for the movie DOPPELGANGER (aka JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN), and were redressed slightly for UFO. Life-sized clay models were built by German auto manufacturer designers, and then racing car driver Alan Mann built the cars for 8500 pounds each.


The cars were constructed using beaten aluminum on top of a Mark 4 Ford Zodiac chassis (predecessor to the Granada). The gull-wing doors didn't actually work, so someone always stood off-camera to raise or lower the doors. The actors reported that the cars were very unpleasant to drive in, as there was not enough headroom and the engine exhaust fumes spilled into the interior. Also, the cars could not move very fast, so many scenes were sped up to simulate a fast-moving vehicle.

In the years since UFO was made, the cars have changed hands a number of times. Straker's car was owned by Radio One DJ Dave Lee Travis in the 1970's. In 1980, the car was bought by someone in Birmingham who had it repainted with scenes from UFO, and then let it sit in a warehouse for years. He eventually gave it away to one of his employees, who in turn has let the car rust away in his back yard. To make matters worse, he eventually built a garage next to his house which prevents the car from being removed without a crane, and has no particular interest in ever restoring or selling the car to someone else!

After UFO, Foster's car was originally sold to a film company which removed the scoops and slats and painted it red for a futuristic porn movie. It was later purchased in 1982 by film buff who made the car driveable and actually used it as his personal transportation for 18 months! It was then damaged in the front and ignored until 1993, when it was purchased by UFO fan Tony Read."

Phil Broad has also written an informative piece on his site about these two cars if you want to find out more.

Has anyone ever seen any of these cars, including the mysterious third car and are there any updates as to their whereabouts?