[Leica] vanishing point

[drodgers at casefarms.com (David Rodgers)]

The History Channel recently aired a piece on muscle cars, with emphasis
on the hemi powered Challenger, Road Runner and Barracuda. 

I'm sure some recall the Super Bird. Back in the day NASCAR required
production cars (versus the modified funny cars they race today). So
Chrysler hired some ex NASA engineers to design a car. They ended up
putting a bullet front end and a high spoiler on a Road Runner and
called it a Super Bird.

I think they manufactured less than 1,000, but enough to qualify for
NASCAR. They weren't quick off the line, but they had a remarkable top
end. 

I rode in one on I5 in the San Joaquin Valley. Cousin of a friend of
mine returned from a tour in Vietnam and bought one. We topped 140 MPH
before he shut it down. I recall thinking that I should put on my seat
belt, but then realized it really wouldn't matter.    

Even though I live in NC now I don't follow NASCAR. But I'd pay to see
Super Birds race. They dominated the Daytona 500 in the early 70's.

There are only 25 Super Birds left in the world today. They were $4K new
and go for 100 times that today. More appreciation than a Leica M.

DaveR

-----Original Message-----
From: doug kim [mailto:yup@pacbell.net] 
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 10:48 PM
To: Leica Users' Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] vanishing point


yes they had a deal with chrysler though this meant that they only
received
three which they promptly destroyed. the only other great dodge
challenger
movie was bullit, the challenger losing to mcqueen's mustang.

it is a cult movie for 70s gearheads and though i love it, i think most
others think it is wretched.

the dvd has a commentary by sarafian with all the details.

and the pic that started this thread was wonderful. such a sense of
coming
menace.

doug

On 12/8/05 4:52 PM, "Sonny Carter" <cartersn@nsula.edu> wrote:

> 
> I think I read that Chrysler shopped the Producers to see who wanted
to make a
> movie about their new Dodge Challenger.   Richard Sarafian stepped up
to the
> plate and amde a counter-culture film with a massive infusion of
product
> placement.  I think they wrecked several Challengers in the process.
> 
> SonC
> 
> -
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
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-- 
doug kim
http://www.ricecracker.net/
http://www.bornyogis.com/