Movie Mustangs

July 03, 2020 by JT

Ford shared a neat article and I totally wanted everybody to see this. The Mustang has become a screen icon, most famously with Steve McQueen in Bullitt. There are many others though and this list is pretty comprehensive. Take a look below, as the links are all there and this one is easy to use. Enjoy!

Mustang in the Movies: Ford Pony Car Team Picks its Top 10 Starring Roles

Hot off the heels of the Ford Mustang’s 56th birthday earlier this month and amidst the current stay-at-home environment, we looked back at the dozens of top films featuring the world’s best-selling sports car.

While many Mustang fans eagerly await the return of nice weather and shows, they can get their Mustang fix from the comfort of their homes Here are our team’s picks for the top 10 movies starring the iconic pony car and where they can be streamed tonight.

Bullitt (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

Two identical 1968 Mustang GT Fastbacks were used in the filming of the classic Warner Bros. movie “Bullitt” that debuted in theaters on Oct. 17, 1968. Ford revived the iconic nameplate as the 2019 Mustang Bullitt at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

John Wick (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

When it comes to explosive badass assassin movies, the John Wick series is one of the best of the modern era. Enter the 1969 Mustang Mach 1, a car that matches Wick's quick-tempered reputation for swift and decisive action.

Goldfinger (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

This classic 1964 James Bond movie was the first major motion picture to feature the pony car although Tilly Masterson’s 1964 Ford Mustang meets an unfortunate ending.

Gone in 60 Seconds (watch on Vudu (free with ads), Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

For the 2000 remake of the original 1974 film, starring Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie, the part of Eleanor was 'played' by a 1967 Shelby GT500. Seven Elanor replicas were created for production, with five being totaled during stunt sequences.

I Am Legend (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

Will Smith's character Robert Neville chose a supercharged red 2007 Mustang Shelby GT500 as his companion (plus his dog) in their fight for survival.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play) A 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback takes on a rival car in the final climatic mountain race in the third installment of the Fast and Furious franchise.

Diamonds are Forever (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

Bond, James Bond, puts a 1971 Mustang Mach 1 through its paces as a getaway car in a memorable chase sequence through Las Vegas, escaping through an alleyway on two wheels. The stunt was performed by legendary stuntman Bill Hickman.

Transformers (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

This 2005 Mustang was built specially by Saleen and prepped by DreamWorks SKG for the movie. Before being turned into the rolling evil Decepticon known as Barricade, the car started life as a Saleen S281 Extreme with a 4.6-liter V8 and five-speed shifter.

Grand Prix (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

Featuring a 1966 Shelby GT350H, American acting favorite James Garner plays American Formula 1 driver Pete Aron in director John Frankenhiemer’s landmark film about F1 racing.

War of the Worlds (watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play)

The 1966 Shelby GT350H driven by Tom Cruise in director Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film is considered by many auto enthusiasts to be the best part of this particular movie.

A Faster Horse

March 02, 2016 by JT

Last month, I sat down on a snowy day and watched this one. It was trending on Netflix so I figured why not. Most times, the Mustang is one of those cars that you have to respect, but for me right now I wouldn't consider owning one. Being more into General Motors, I can still respect the Mustang. For awhile, it came with less than 200hp and was almost cancelled at one point. The thing about Mustang though, it truly represents America. You wouldn't buy a Mustang for practicality, functionality or even gas mileage. The Mustang is a car you buy because you want to drive and you need some style in your life.

This film is all about the development of the new 2015 model. A major overhaul from Ford, where you are literally taken behind the scenes during the most secretive times. They also trace back to the origins and history of the original pony car. One major takeaway I got while watching this, was the concept of costs and the manufacturing process. Unbelievably, the launch of the car was held up by a few millimeters on one part. I also learned and finally comprehended how adding a few cents to one part, can cost millions over the production run. You always wonder why they don't put a certain aftermarket part on a car, or why wasn't that little piece slightly upgraded. Everything is in the name of cost and of course the big picture for the company.

Give this one a watch, even if you aren't a Ford or Mustang fan. If you are into cars and also want to learn a little bit on how a vehicle goes from a clay model to your driveway, this movie will fit the bill. Hope you enjoy the show as much as I did!

A Faster Horse Buy on Amazon

Black Air

January 05, 2015 by JT

The Buick Grand National - I recall first hearing of this when I was single digits in age. My Dad said it was such a cool car, and at the time I actually questioned this knowledge. The Corvette was on my radar and so were many other exotics, but this thing... A black, boxy two door sedan... Why on earth would my Dad think this was a neat car. Well as I grew older, I started to realize why he thought this. If you know nothing about the Grand National, Black Air is a great place to start.

Black Air is a documentary made by Grand National aficionados and it shows. The basic layout of this film is smashing together a bunch of smaller stories to create the full movie. Owning a Grand National is something I have yet to do, but for some reason I really, really want to. They are one of those cars that only certain people respect. The average person has absolutely no clue what you are driving and when you tell them what you paid for it, they would literally laugh at you. So if you are somebody who likes attention, people asking you about your car and even being impressed by it, the Grand National will not draw the type of crowd like a new Stingray would.

Buick is well known as a company that for the most part, makes cars for the older crowd. They aren't known for high performance and speed. Luxury and maturity are two things I think of being on the want list for Buick owners. The Grand National has a sort of stance and swagger to it that not many people understand, including average Buick drivers. This documentary focuses on that with the different small stories.

They go in depth with Bob Covlin, who is the owner of the last Grand National made in 1987. The old 80s footage of a Michigan winter outside of a GM plant had such a Roger and Me feel to it. I especially liked seeing the vehicle being assembled and also am quite impressed how they have kept it in basically museum quality, totally preserved forever. The other interesting guy you meet in this movie is Anthony Colucci. He is the owner of a 1985 Grand National that is a trailer queen, never goes in the rain and is stored in a plastic bubble - literally. This guy is a serious enthusiast and I give him props for keeping his car mint, but man.. I can't help but wonder what he is missing out on not driving that amazing vehicle.

The film does a great job touching on little details about the Grand National but at the same time I wanted more. It almost forces you to get on your phone while watching to confirm facts, figures and also research more. This included the GNX which I felt was given a unique look into production and how they were assembled to be the ultimate Grand National "Special Edition" - I truly want more GNX though. I'd love to see a full go Top Gear video shoot of this vehicle done in amazing high def. Thinking about this film as a whole, I really conclude that it has the same mysterious feel as the Grand National itself. A grayed out tint to the entire film, random snap cuts and close ups that all lead to wetting your appetite of Grand National trivia and information. The Grand National is something that has a unique following and a little bit of mystery behind it - this film follows suit.

Black Air 2 is in the works right now, which will consist of user submitted footage. General Motors has been re-trademarking the Grand National and GNX names. The history of this vehicle is something that car guys will always respect and normal Toyota drivers probably won't. I encourage you to get yourself a copy of Black Air today and educate yourself a little bit. Once you finish watching, you just might find yourself liking or even wanting a car that you never thought you would. Below are the first five minutes of the film, hope you enjoy!

Black Air Homepage - http://www.gnmovie.com/

BLACK AIR: The Buick Grand National Documentary

$9.99

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American Experience: Henry Ford

August 07, 2014 by JT

The American Experience films that air on PBS are very similar to a Ken Burns style documentary. Narrators discussing the subject matter, photo zooms (Ken Burns Effect), archival footage, and lots of historical information.

The Henry Ford Episode was no different. Clocking in at just under two hours, the film explores the entire life of Mr. Ford. When I decided to sit down and invest the time, I realized I never really knew much about the guy. My knowledge was limited to the Model T and inventing the assembly line. While watching, I learned that Ford was a pretty simple guy who was creative and a laborer at heart. He enjoyed being on the assembly line figuring things out more than hanging out with Detroit aristocrats. Like most innovators, he didn't sound like a boss I would enjoy having. He was a well known union hater and bucked the trend automakers were following by allowing workers to unionize. They say he was kind of like The Wizard of Oz later in his life, controlling all the wires from behind the scenes. Ford also longed for the past and a simple life. He basically built what we know as The Henry Ford Museum so he could recapture his past. Buildings were bought, torn down, and rebuilt on the site so Ford could experience his earlier years. One of these include the Wright Brothers bike shop from Ohio.

The Ford River Rouge Complex was discussed in detail and you learn that Henry Ford was somewhat of a control freak. What we also see though, is one of the first massive automotive manufacturing "cities" in the early twentieth century. Employing 75,000 workers and everything from a fire department to hundreds of miles of train track, the River Rouge Complex was a massive undertaking. Doing some quick searching, they still use it today to build F150 Trucks.

This film was very interesting and gives you a window into one of the first huge automotive manufacturers in America. Henry Ford did what he wanted and was a multibillionaire in a time when that really didn't exist. To watch the history for yourself, you can either find the show rerunning on PBS or on Netflix, as it just arrived on the Instant service.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/henryford/

American Experience: Henry Ford

$14.71

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32 Hours 7 Minutes

May 08, 2014 by JT

A few years back, I read the book "The Driver" written by Alex Ro y. This book chronicled his life and more importantly all of the driving events he has participated in. Most of his experience was gained during the different Gumball Rallies that took place in the early 2000s. The second half of the book focuses on his infamous New York to California record run. This is something of lore and legend that only the bravest of drivers attempt. 32 Hours 7 Minutes is a film that explores the history, drivers, and most recent attempts to beat that record.

Ferrari 308 from 1983 US Express - Take note of the amazing radar detector technology of the time.

The movie 32 Hours 7 Minutes starts off analyzing the entire history of the infamous Cannonball Run and also the later US Express. Since the invention of the automobile, it seems like there has always been somebody attempting to be the fastest driving from NY to LA. Each year a new challenge shows up creating yet another issue for a potential record holder though. The late 70s and early 80s are when this challenge kind of gained speed and became popular. Most of the drivers are piloting some of the coolest vehicles like the Monte Carlo SS, Ferrari 308, late 70s Trans Ams, and also some great 1980s Porsche's. We get a really detailed view of the 1983 run in this film and how that cemented the record for over twenty years. Cory Welles, the director, focuses on her personal relationship of the record holders and how the accusations of cheating come into play. Many of the competitors did not believe the Ferrari 308 made the run in 32 Hours and 7 Minutes, and they are literally mad about this. This sort of road racing that isn't sanctioned, monitored, or legal has all sorts of loopholes. Extra fuel tanks, spotter planes, auxiliary lighting, and of course anti-police tech in the cockpit - all of these items aren't regulated or checked for the most part. So however 1983 really ended, Cory wants to prove that her family friends aren't liars and also that the record is attainable.

We jump ahead to 2006 and we meet Alex Roy. Cory and Alex met up basically because of this record, and Alex seems to be the only person capable of beating the longstanding time from 1983. Alex Roy drives a very equipped BMW M5, and we don't mean equipped like it has lots of factory options. This M5 has been transformed into a rolling radio shack of the highway. For this type of driving you don't just throw in a Bell Radar Detector and hit the gas. Alex has upgraded the brakes with Brembo, added a fuel cell to the trunk, removed the factory top speed limiter and of course put in a short throw shifter. The real magic though is inside the cockpit. Digital trunking scanners, CBs, jammers, night vision, police sirens, and even switches that kill exterior lights. All of these items come together to make the interior of this BMW look like James Bond would own it. Tried and true, and just like Hoagies Garage found out, all of these tech upgrades are topped off with a Valentine One Radar/Laser Detector. Alex is a master planner and literally leaves no detail overlooked for these runs. Scanner frequencies are programmed, estimated times are over analyzed, and anything else that can play a factor is discussed - even the Travel John to save precious minutes.

The amount of factors that play into this run are all discussed in the film. All of the old timers think there is no way this is possible with today's traffic and vehicle congestion. The police presence nowadays is massive compared to the past. Technology has grown on both sides of the law and that can also include normal drivers who carry a cell phone and can easily turn you in with a quick 911 call. Basically, the planning of such a journey is something that makes your mind race and this film really helps you feel the stress levels. This was mostly filmed in 2006, which means High Definition wasn't as accessible like it is today. If such a record run was attempted in 2014, you can bet that about ten GoPro cameras would be along for the journey. This would offer razor sharp footage that 32 Hours 7 Minutes does not have. For me though, I kind of like the gritty feel of the early footage and also how the most recent run footage looks like somebody on the front lines would capture.

Cory Welles was on the front lines for the 2006 Alex Roy run. She was in the back seat for both attempts, filming and documenting. During interviews and when she recalls the trips, Cory has stated she had such a routine going that it was a super intense trip on her end. Keeping the footage organized, watching for police, and anything else that would help the run. The point of this review isn't to spoil the ending or give away major plot details, you can do that on your own with a quick Google search. We are here to tell you how neat of a concept and how good the execution of this film is. If you are a gearhead, car guy, or whatever else you want to call yourself, you will very easily enjoy this movie and find yourself watching it multiple times. I found myself watching it with multiple people, multiple times. Being an independent film, you can tell this didn't come directly from Paramount Pictures. For this type of content though, I almost think some major studio would have ruined it. The film has a sort of illegal feel to it with the grainy footage, random speedometer shots, and aerial views from the spotter planes. You actually get the feeling you are there with them attempting to beat the record and for us, that made the movie so much fun.

Below you will find a clip of the first 2.5 minutes of the film. We hope you enjoy this movie as much as we did. For more information visit - http://www.32hours7minutes.com/

The Driver: My Dangerous Pursuit of Speed and Truth in the Outlaw Racing World

$9.93

By Alexander Roy

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