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Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 1,357
From: Western NC
Vanishing Point trip in our Challenger
I don't expect many views but for those that like other 'muscle cars' I thought I would post these in this non-Mustang section.
I always wanted to trace the Vanishing Point trek by Kowalski in his '70 Challenger 440 R/T in the original 1971 Vanishing Point movie. We did a lot of research and my wife planned out a wonderful trip with appropriate stops along the way. Our 50 years newer Hemi R/T Shaker performed as well as his, without the mishaps.
If you have any idea what I am talking about, please enjoy the photos and scenery and the brief description under each photo. We went a few weeks ago. We also learned that actor Barry Newman (Kowalski) passed away just two days before we left.
Some of the movie scenes were filmed here in Rifle, Colorado Entering Utah on I-70 The remains of the Shell station where the end of the movie occurred. VP fans will recognize this hill heading into Cisco. My wife took the photo. This desolate road Rte 24 was safe for some higher speeds. Same Rte 24 as above Adjacent bridge to the one Kowalski jumped. The original is gone. Hanksville, UT Other side of bridge A large portion of the film was done along Hwy 50 in Nevada. Scenery along the route. You have the road to yourself. Austin, NV where Kowalski veered right to escape the 'blue meanies'. This Austin, NV gas station has the VP Challenger on this one pump. Unreal!! Goldfield, NV where Super Soul broadcast from just above the steps. This hotel is abandoned.
Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 1,357
From: Western NC
I thought you would enjoy it as you love all muscle cars like I do. Many of the 'regulars' here are open minded about other makes too. I hope they see this thread eventually.
Thanks so much for the reply.
Awesome awesome awesome thanks for posting. As a kid that was my first car movie that I remember ever watching. I loved it but was so sad for the car not the man!
Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 1,357
From: Western NC
^^^ Very cool 05stangkc
In an interview seen on YouTube, Newman said he would do a commercial for the new 2009 Challenger if they would give him a new Challenger. I would have jumped through hoops to get this deal done if I was at Dodge but some marketing genius at Dodge said, "NO". The guy that helped put Challenger on the map back in the day apparently was not wanted now and not worth a $30k R/T back in '09.. I still have a hard time with this.
Interesting that Ford was the opposite and paid solid $$$ to the Steve McQueen estate for his likeness for the new 2005 Mustang commercial. Kudos to Ford . and Dodge gets this
Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 1,357
From: Western NC
Originally Posted by Mustang Freak
Awesome awesome awesome thanks for posting. As a kid that was my first car movie that I remember ever watching. I loved it but was so sad for the car not the man!
I think everyone was bummed out by the loss of the R/T but it turned out that it was a Camaro they used to hit the bulldozers at the end. All of the R/T Challengers were returned to Chrysler after the filming and were destroyed which is even sadder.. Can you imagine an original VP movie R/T at an auction these days? I believe they used 7 of them, all with 440 engines except one 383 that was an automatic. I think each car would be a 7 figure car.
Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 1,357
From: Western NC
Originally Posted by Mustang Freak
A crapmaro was used instead even better as a finale now. I never heard or read that anywhere before!
The best is this with photo of the Camaro from the set itself in 1971 : https://www.flickr.com/photos/moabutman/498316076
.... and this quick video. Many more can be found in a search but lots of misinformation in the comments on each one. Internet myths and just wrong. Many posters get the horrible re-make from the 90's mixed up with the original movie. Nothing like listening to the director himself and Barry newman for real info.
I love it man. I'm a Mopar guy too, but right after Fords. I've noticed through the years that Mopar guys and Ford guys tend to have a respect for the cars and like the other brand and acknowledge that they are nasty, but both tend to hate most Chevrolet vehicles. Not that we don't respect them and acknowledge the performance of some of them, but we just wouldn't buy one.
Last edited by Rather B.Blown; Jun 8, 2023 at 08:08 PM.
I love it man. I'm a Mopar guy too, but right after Fords. I've noticed through the years that Mopar guys and Ford guys tend to have a respect for the cars and like the other brand and acknowledge that they are nasty, but both tend to hate most Chevrolet vehicles. Not that we don't respect them and acknowledge the performance of some of them, but we just wouldn't buy one.
I Always Found It Nice The Ford & Mopar Muscle Cars Back in the Day Had 5x4 1/2 Bolt Pattern Wheels! Made It Nice When Swapping Around Wheels! Now Those **** L/H Thread Wheel Studs on Some of the Mopars Had To Go! Changed Many of Them! It Was Funny Watching Your Buddies Trying To Loosen Those Before They Knew About Em! Get a Longer Pipe! SNAP!
Now Those **** L/H Thread Wheel Studs on Some of the Mopars Had To Go! Changed Many of Them! It Was Funny Watching Your Buddies Trying To Loosen Those Before They Knew About Em! Get a Longer Pipe! SNAP!
and Dodge gets this 
Can you imagine an original VP movie R/T at an auction these days? I believe they used 7 of them, all with 440 engines except one 383 that was an automatic. I think each car would be a 7 figure car.
I remember that well!!!
