Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?

Author Topic: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?  (Read 7390 times)

Offline 4spdChally

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Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« on: April 14, 2005 - 09:03:54 PM »
Not sure if this was covered already but I bought the DVD's for both the original Vanishing Point and the 1997 remake at Best Buy last week.

The interesting thing is on the original movie DVD there is a option to pick a naration by the original director as the movie plays. He gives details on the making of the movie and one thing caught my attention. He said several times there were 8 or 9 Challengers used in the movie and that only one was left by the end of filming. I had always heard there were four 440 4speeds and one 383 automatic. The director seemed to remember a lot of details so maybe this could be true. The narration is interesting at times, but does mess up the flow of the movie.

Sorry if this topic is old news but I thought it was interesting and could not find anything about it using the search feature.




Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2005 - 12:43:51 AM »
Close, 3 440-4-Speeds and one 383 Automatic. This is straight from the director and Kowalski back in 1991.


Kowalski was quoted as saying the 383 was just as quick as the 440's and "may" have felt a little quicker.
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Offline Karfever

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2005 - 05:55:05 AM »
Close, 3 440-4-Speeds and one 383 Automatic. This is straight from the director and Kowalski back in 1991.


Kowalski was quoted as saying the 383 was just as quick as the 440's and "may" have felt a little quicker.

 :iagree:

Offline BB73Challenger

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2005 - 06:17:18 AM »
And I believe they wipe out a Camaro at the end.  :fire:
Jeff from Cleveland, Ohio

Offline 4spdChally

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2005 - 07:48:54 AM »
I wonder why the original director is now saying 8 Challengers?

Has anyone bought the DVD with the narration on it?

Offline MoparMatt383

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2005 - 07:50:45 AM »
I just bought the original a week ago.  Had to go down to Grenich Village to find it.  It was never in when I went to any of the big stores.  I saw the 97 remake.  Is that one any good or is kind of lame because most remakes seem to be.  I havent really heard much about it.

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Offline BB73Challenger

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2005 - 08:01:04 AM »
I caught the tale end of the remake like 2 weeks ago, just saw where the guy crashed the car - It had a Challenger in it, so had bad could it be?
Jeff from Cleveland, Ohio

Offline Screwy Squirrel

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2005 - 10:06:40 AM »
 :wave: We got the new one.  To much drama for me, even though it has a charger in it... The original one has more driving and is MUCH better.   :thumbs:  :patriot:

Offline Karfever

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2005 - 11:47:12 AM »
I saw the original at a drive in movie in California in spring of 71. I also have the dvd release of the original. I thought the remake sucked.


Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2005 - 04:28:54 PM »
:wave: We got the new one.  To much drama for me, even though it has a charger in it... The original one has more driving and is MUCH better.   :thumbs:  :patriot:
:iagree:

The first one is less corny and is in the era and will always be the cult classic. Remake is good also, more car shots but...yeah.  :(


Maybe the remake had more Challengers, in the remake they did crash a Challenger.  :gripe: :pissed: :stomp: >:(
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Offline 6pkrunner

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2005 - 04:35:37 PM »
I'm never a fan of remakes. I found the second too clean, too politically correct and sanitized. Plus the liberties they took with the storyline made me cringe.
However I always like the original better than anything after. Music, movies - anything. The first to do it were the pioneers. ;D

And that 383-automatic Challenger had the distinct honor of towing the 1967 Camaro into the bulldozers for the finale. It was also used as the camera vehicle for a most of the action footage.



and the Camaro says bye-bye


Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #11 on: April 15, 2005 - 06:20:34 PM »
I'm never a fan of remakes. I found the second too clean, too politically correct and sanitized. Plus the liberties they took with the storyline made me cringe.
However I always like the original better than anything after. Music, movies - anything. The first to do it were the pioneers. ;D

And that 383-automatic Challenger had the distinct honor of towing the 1967 Camaro into the bulldozers for the finale. It was also used as the camera vehicle for a most of the action footage.



and the Camaro says bye-bye


I agree 6pk. Like number plates, the people that use "3" as "E" and numbers as letters shows, hmmmm, great thought.  ::)


My favorite profile of the Challenger on the original (Of Course) is when he's traveling down the high way and they follow him up from behind then pull back - makes me drool.  :drool: The shot in the movie is Kind of like the photo below looks...................................................

Shows those Challenger curves.  :grinyes: :D



[attachment deleted by admin]
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
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540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline JS27N0B

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #12 on: April 15, 2005 - 09:57:14 PM »
I read years ago that there were 7 440 cars and 1 383 car used for the high speed camera scenes. I think it was a mid 80's muscle car guide or equivalent. I bet i still have it, but am not going to look for it as it would take days.
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Offline Bondavi

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2005 - 01:35:23 AM »

383 autos being quicker than 440 4-speeds? Huh??  :???: :dontknow:

Maybe its just the torque converter giving that sensation of "feeling faster?"
« Last Edit: April 16, 2005 - 01:56:13 AM by Bondavi »
David

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Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Number of original Vanishing Point Challengers?
« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2005 - 02:50:15 AM »
383 autos being quicker than 440 4-speeds? Huh??  :???: :dontknow:

Maybe its just the torque converter giving that sensation of "feeling faster?"
Not sure but this is straight from Barry Newman and the stunt driver.  ;) 8) Straightline, maybe but corners no. Even strailine the 383 vs 440 shouldn't by right.  :grinno: 440 should take it down, never know, gears maybe? 410's vs 1:77:1  :laughing:
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60