Graffiti at the Gilmore

 The American Graffiti 1958 Chevrolet Impala 

featuring

A 327 Chevy

It’s got Six Stromberg’s

It will lay rubber

                                      TOAD’S SUPERFINE MACHINE

In American Graffiti the car may have belonged to Steve Bolander but it was Terry “The Toad” who had the most fun in it. On loan from Steve with strict instructions of only using 30 weight Castrol R oil Toad knew “Tonight things are going to be different”. After picking up a girl who looked a lot like Connie Stevens he would be ripped off by a bum, witness a hold up, get his car stolen, get sicker than a dog and then get in a fight. While discussing the events of the evening Toad said that he has a good time just about every night.

In 1973 Ray Evernham was a teen who spent most of his time playing baseball with his friends. That all changed when Ray fell in love at the local movie theatre. No not with the cute girl who worked the concession stand, Ray fell for this car. Evernham missed more than a few games that year sitting in the darkened theatre dreaming of the day he would own that 1958 Impala.

The future NASCAR Hall of Famer had to dream for quite a while. It wasn’t till years later that Ray was able to track down the owner and tried to purchase the car with no luck. A few more calendars down the road and Ray ran into the car again while shooting his cable TV show Americarna. Still no sale. Finally in 2015 after a failure to purchase the car at live auction Evernham was able to negotiate a deal with the man who had owned the 58 since filming.

The Star of Ray’s childhood dreams had seen better days. After all it was still a 57 year old car that had last been painted around 43 years ago. Ray set to work doing his Graffiti homework. Learning that there were a few things had been changed about the car since 1973 and wishing to return the car to it’s as-filmed appearance. Ray painstakingly mapped out the Impala’s fogged stripes. Recruiting some of Axalta Coating Systems finest employees to help re-create custom paint scheme.

It has not been long since the ground up preservation of Ray’s beloved American Graffiti Impala, but Ray has been kind enough to share his “Superfine Machine” for the first time with the Gilmore Auto Museum and it’s visitors. 

The Impala will be on display at The Gilmore thru the end of the year. Check the Gilmore website for details.  

Jeff

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Car Craft - 1971 Sept. Two Lane Blacktop

Now I know you are all here to read about the 55 Chevy from Two Lane Blacktop in this classic 1971 issue of Car Craft Magazine, but when your done make sure you set your VCR's to record CNBC's Jay Leno's Garage on Thursday April 19th and you will see James Taylor reunited with the original 55. Shhhh don't tell anyone but I hear he even drives it.

If you are tuning in late to this post your hunting for J.L.G. Season4 Episode1

 Jeff

Southern Rodder - 2000 Oct. Chuck Belew sits down with Paul Le Mat A.K.A. John Milner of American Graffiti

Hey It's Milner's Birthday!!! Ooop's I mean It's Paul Le Mat's Birthday!!!  To Celebrate Paul's B-day on this 22nd of September. I set the way back machine to the year 2000 and chose the October Issue of Southern Rodder Magazine to post. Here is a nice short article that shares a little more about Paul than Milner for those of you who like me forget sometimes.
  "Happy Birthday Milner"


Jeff

 

Thunderbird 2002 - 2000

 

If your a Thunderbird Fanatic this book should definitely be in your library. I have not had time to read the whole thing. I just basically flipped through it to find the Graffiti goods. I'm sure your remember Suzanne Somers that mysterious Blond in the white T-Bird that Curt spent half the night trying to track down. There is only a small mention of our favorite movie but with all the info packed into this book on the Thunderbird's history I'm just glad American Graffiti got a mention.

I did read a bit of the book and was surprised to learn that the possible names for Fords new "Personal Car" were the Fordster, Fordette, Beaver, Detroiter, Hep Cat and the Wheelaway. One of the big shots at Ford, Lew Crusoe didn't like any of those names so he offered a prize of a 250.00$ suit to any Ford employee who could come up with a better name.

Alden R Giberson is credited with the suggestion to borrow from Native American lore and use the Thunderbird name. Crusoe promptly accepted it and Giberson got his suit.

Jeff      

Creem - 1973 Feb. Chuck Berry's Back From The Blues

I just heard we lost Chuck Berry today. I was thinking about it and I remembered the 1973 Creem Magazine that had him as the cover art. So I pulled it out and there it is on the cover it says "Chuck Berry's Back On Top". An article that I have never read. I bought the magazine because it had an movie review of American Graffiti in it.

Now I normally only post articles on the movie the cars or cast but tonight while listening to some Chuck. I realized he might not have appeared on screen but he was in the movie. Maybe I have just watched the movie one too many times but I can't hear Almost Grown with out running Terry's lines.

"What a Babe.... What a Bitchin Babe" (squealing tires around the corner) "Um Hello.... Buenos Noches?? ..Uhh  look you sure you don't need a lift somewhere? Huh.. Hey Do you know John Milner?? John Milners A Good Friend Of Mine"     and on and on.... O fine....

"Hey Did Anyone Ever Tell You That You Look Just Like Connie Stevens"

Or When I listen to Johnny B Goode. I hear "Hey You Got A Really Bitchin Car"  "Well ..Ya I Know"  "In fact Your Cars So Neat Were Gonna Give You Our Special Prize....You Want Me To Give It To Ya?"  "Hey Sweetheart If The Prize Is You I'm A Ready Teddy"  "We'll Get Bent Turkey"

 I can see Old Carol getting hit by that water balloon and hear her squeal and Milners laugh. Then I get this overwhelming urge to jump the fins of a 60 Caddy and I swear at the end of the song I can hear the coupe drive off??? Guess I have just been programed.

                                                                                          Jeff
  

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry
October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017

I gave my heart to Candy Clark at SEMA in 2016

We'll go ahead Kirtsy baby, You go on over there and remember all the good times you won't be havin, I ain't going off to some G. D. fancy collage. I'm going to Vegas...and havin fun as usual!

And fun it was. There must be a wrinkle in the force somewhere as I was lucky enough (thanks to Ray Evernham) to attend  The Specialty Equipment Market Association Show (SEMA) this year. I have never been to the show before and big doesn't even begin to describe it.

Axalta Coating Systems (most of you would remember them as Dupont) had a huge display area where they filmed interviews and unveiled the 1958 Impala from American Graffiti. This was the first time that Bolander's 58 has been seen since the odometer was spun back to 1972.

I would Love And Protect that car!!!

It was a rough week leading up to SEMA...I had to wait till the day after Halloween to see my favorite Candy.

This is only the second time I have met Candy in person. The first time was at an autograph road show in Chicago years ago and it didn't go so well.. I know those of you who know me may not believe it, but the first time I meet her I was speechless.
 Hey she's a "Babe.. A Bitchin Babe"!!!!!!

I thought the Superfine Machine looked great then you add a little Candy to the Tuck N Roll upholstery and Double Chubby-Chuck and a Mexicali Chili Barb!!! I need a shot of Old Harper!

I remember asking Candy What ever happened to the necklace she wore during filming??
Candy said that she had turned it in to Aggie Guerard  when filming wrapped. Aggie handled all of the wardrobe for American Graffiti. This film was Aggie's first job as a costume designer.

When I found out she did have the original I was on a quest. I always thought the world was a better place when Candy was wearing that necklace so after some digging I was able to allocate a suitable replacement and was able to present it to Candy at the show.

I think she got a kick out of it and now I can say I gave my heart to Candy Clark..and I'm not just feeding you a line, I did.. I really..... I gave a heart to Candy Clark!

GeeeZ What A Day!
Jeff

Empire - 2004 American Graffiti Car Wars

This weeks post is fun! "You can have all the fun you want!! This place is for fun!" In 2004 the Empire article Classic Scene draws from one of the best exchanges in American Graffiti and gives you the dialog.

 

 Now anybody who knows me is used to me sliding in a line from the movie when ever it will fit in the conversation..... and some times when it doesn't.

It's also a fun thing that happens on social media. I have seen someone throw out a line and sit back and wait to see who chimes in with the next bit of dialog. Now if I can just get everybody to read and memorize this!!!! LOL

I do like they way they wrote this up. It's like it was in the film not like what's written in the script.

I know over the years I have used these lines many time while cruzin Main Street.

Used... that brings something else to mind. If you haven't noticed I have stopped or severely limited the use of watermarking pictures on my site. I see pictures from my site all over the internet re-cropped and re-covered or even used with my markings on them. I see them on websites and even used to sell on eBay. I want to further American Graffiti, not take credit for it. So feel free to swipe what ever you want from my site and use it. Your going to anyway!!! LOL Just remember I did the home work of locating the articles... I spent the time and money finding and buying the books and magazines. I scan them and post them all for free, just to spread the Graffiti love.

Jeff
Owner and Operator of Jeff's Graffiti Emporium.     and "I Ain't Nobody Dork! ........Right?"