Just watching the car chase in the brilliant Bullitt movie starring Steve McQueen and Robert Vaughn.
It really does remind me of a Hot Wheels red line showdown I might have had on my bright orange tracks [or were they red?] back in the Sixties!
I wonder if you could get those two Bullitt chase cars as die-casts back then?
Wow, I never knew Grouty started his career as a wheelman. You live and learn...
ReplyDeleteHow do think he ended up in Slade Prison while crooked politician Bob ended up in Hustle and Coronation Street. : D
DeleteYuk Yuk
DeleteName corrected. I am currently eating porridge!
ReplyDeleteDunno about more modern HotWheels, but the vintage redline series will get you there up to a point, Woodsy.
ReplyDeleteMcQueen drives a 1968 Mustang GT, which is almost identical to the 1967 model that the original HotWheels version is based on. (the difference is in the fake side scoops, not detailed on the HotWheels version, and the grille ornaments which neither the 'custom' HotWheels model nor the McQueen car have). I do believe the HotWheels car was available in green, but... it does have a great big boxy bulge shape added to its bonnet.
The baddies drive a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, which is what the HotWheels model was based on when new models were added to the series in 1969. The toy does have a split grille whereas the real-life vehicle doesn't but maybe that's part of the 'custom' toy design. Dunno if it was available in blue, and it also has a prominent scoop on the bonnet of course.
So yes, if you disregard some added details, then you could stage a Bullitt chase with those toys.
Best -- Paul
Oops, penny dropped...
ReplyDeleteThe HotWheels Charger is actually based on the real-life 1969 model (immortalised by the Dukes' General Lee) which -does- have a split grille. I was led astray by the HotWheels Charger carrying a © date of 1968. But then I remembered the model year designation for American cars starts in September of the previous year, which explains why a 1969 model can be used for a toy design in 1968. But anyway, other than the split grille, the basic Charger body was identical I think, certainly in the level of detail of the toy. So your Bullitt chase is still on. :)
Best -- Paul
superb detail that Paul. Thanks. I'm surprised that a Bullitt twin pack wasn't released back then reading your notes. I've always wanted to drive a Muscle car like these but not had the chance yet. Have you?
DeleteTwin-pack would've been a good idea, Woodsy. But back in those days Mattel was just starting up the HotWheels line with huge success, so they didn't really need any movie tie-ins.
DeleteJust had a google, and apparently Greenlight Collectibles did a set of toys for that movie a couple of years ago
http://www.toysrus.com/buy/toy-cars-race-cars/greenlight-collectibles-1-64-scale-hollywood-film-reels-steve-mcqueen-bullitt-1968-59000-81218546
as well as a twin-pack containing the 2008 Mustang and Charger models, which makes no sense to me...
I can't honestly claim to've driven a proper muscle car. Those are the large-engined versions of the Mustang, Camaro, Firebird et al. I used to drive a 1971 Mustang with the smallest engine (belgian road-tax is based on engine capacity, so the large engines really cost and are therefore seldom seen on belgian roads) which had the so-called "secretary six" of a mere 4.1 litres. I then bought a 1965 Mustang convertible from a Dover dock worker, which had the 4.8 litre small-block V8, but also the basic version. Neither was very fast, but I enjoyed them hugely all the same. :)
Best -- Paul