We've all seen the legendary Bullitt car chase I'm sure, I'm guessing both version of Gone In Sixty Seconds have passed your eyes at some point.  How about the lesser known but cult movies?  Vanishing Point, yup seen that, how about Two Lane Blacktop?  Sure you have.  Car chases and action sequences are one of the markers of 'car films'.  However car chases are spread liberally around Hollywood to provide that bit of extra spice to movies, here are a couple you might not have seen and the reasons they are great.

Against All Odds

I'll not hear a word said against the mighty Phil Collins title track, it is genius, FACT!  However this movie sticks in my head for different reasons.  Growing up I remember seeing a "How Stunts Work" TV show which featured this chase/race scene, my mind was blown by the frantic weaving in and out of traffic, the swerving of on coming vehicles and the great growl the Ferrari made, all in the days before they just CGi'd it together.  It left an impression, I've still never seen the whole movie though.
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Cobra

Sly Stallone shoots people and swears in this clip from 80's rebel cop film, apparently originally intended to be Beverly Hills Cop, but this script went for a more explosive, serious approach.  Most importantly it features a 1950 Mercury Monterey sled, which is a touch unusual for a movie of any era, let alone the 80's.  The chase has everything that you expect from a car chase, cardboard boxes, plenty of needless skidding, a car that seems to repair itself between cuts, a car park, it is all in there somewhere, and no one can shoot straight.

The Gumball Rally

Now this is hardly an unknown movie, the prototype for The Cannonball Run, Charles Bail delivers a coast to coast car race based on the original legendary Gumball event.  Whilst a lot of people have heard of this movie not a huge amount of people have seen it, so in order to pique your interest check out the clip above, it is almost as much fun spotting the background cars as it is watching the main action.

Of course there are loads more car squences out there, so it may be a subject we revist, what are your favourites?

Posted on: April 26, 2010 07:14

Every car collection should be complimented by a movie collection about cars.  Here is a quick list to get yours kick started.

American Graffiti

This contains one of the most defining images of street racing ever committed to film.  The film has an actual enjoyable plot that non-petrol heads can enjoy, however for those of us that like machinery the cars are very much central to the movie, with most of the action taking place in and around them.  Hot Rods, big American Barges, at least one Lead Sled and the aforementioned street racing scene, this is a must have.  Also it will help you identify the difference between a 3 window '32 Ford on modern rims and a '32 Ford that is "straight out of American Graffiti", before you make an embarrassing gaff :)

Le Mans

I'll keep this short: Steve McQueen + Porsche 917 = great movie.  If you don't own this, then shame on you!

Cannonball Run

It is still the quintessential 80's car movie.  Sure it’s not the original gumball rally movie, and the hair styles have dated a bit, but to my mind it is still the most fun movie about cars ever.  Also it has Dean Martin in it which also makes it doubly awesome.

Champion Don Garlits

The Champion series of DVDs is a great collection to have, usually concentrating on circuit racing drivers like Sterling Moss and James Hunt it is great to see one dedicated for drag racing legend Don Garlits.  Even if you are a circuit racing fan you should own this, and if you are a drag racing fan I'm sure you already do... what’s that you say?  You don't!?  Quick get it before someone finds out!

The Greatest Years Of Rallying 70s

Rallying is insane.  FACT!  The 70's were a great time for rallying with Ford dominating our perception of the era it is great to see a film that can show you the spread of cars as well as some fantastic footage.  If you are more of a Group B fan then The Greatest Years Of Rallying 80s is also available.

 

Posted on: June 18, 2008 03:36

Well I don't know about you but here its pay day, and I'm feeling spendy.  What shall I spend my hard earned cash money on?  Books and things!

We've not covered much of our love of insane rally cars so far in the life of this blog/mag, but rest assured we do love rally cars, particularly when they all went insane in the group B period.  I wanted to be able to recommend a book called Group B: The Rise and Fall of Rallying's Wildest Cars, but its crazy expensive and there is only one available on Amazon at the moment.

So I've got the next best thing for you, the Author of the Group B book has also written a tome called : The Complete Book of The World Rally Championship: 1973-2003: All the Cars, All the Drivers 1974-2004 (snappy title).  It pretty much does what it says on the tin and covers a huge range of rally cars from the 70's through the Group B period and into the modern day, you can see the complete evolution of the cars competing.

If ever there was a controversial figure within the car modification scene then Von Dutch was that man.  Whilst a lot of people may not agree with his views, and others love him, it is worth reading about him and his life style to get informed.  If you are a devotee then this is a glimpse into his life which is sure to fascinate.  The book is aptly titled Sundays with Von Dutch and details, including photos, four Sundays spent in Von Dutch's company.

A brief and slightly premature recommendation here Kustomland : The Custom Car Photography of James Potter, 1955-1959 is sure to be a great book capturing custom cars at a time when they were forging their own culture.

If words and static pictures are too much for you then clap your eyes on the seminal car movie that is Two Lane Blacktop in glorious DVD'o'vision.

Tune in next time for more great ways to spend your money.

Posted on: April 25, 2008 04:11