American Graffiti Coupe - Will Work For Storage

After American Graffiti wrapped filming Universal Pictures tried to sell the movie cars. Thinking that the movie would bomb they were just interested in recovering some of there investment. All of the cars slowly found new homes with the exception of the Pharaoh's Merc and Milner's Coupe. These cars were then shoved into the transportation garage.

Universal then started filming another car movie. Would they use the Graffiti Coupe again? Sadly No.. Turns out by 1974 there was a new "Kid" in town

an producer Howie Horawitz knew who he wanted as "The California Kid"

Pete Chapouris had recently built the car.

Martin Sheen would play Michael McCord

Maggie would be played by Michells Phillips (Mackenzie's Stepmother)

This movie was different than graffiti. This movie would have lots of twists and turns not to mention playing some bumper tag. So when casting this film it would required a star who could do his own stunts. "The California Kid" was born

Looks like they were none to easy on the Kid.

Reports say they had to replace the tires by the end of filming.

Buzz Stafford tells Sheriff Roy Childress that he has everything under the hood EXCEPT for the kitchen sink.
The Sheriff doesn't bask in that glory for long.

 When Sheriff Roy stops Mr McCord he asks if he can have a look under the hood? He acts impressed and says looks like everything AND the kitchen sink. Well if you notice the motor in the 1934 does everything it should do but it doesn't look good doing it. Thanks to the editing department looks like it's time to bring in the heavy. As they cut to the close up what do we see?

 Yep that's right. Milner's Coupe appearing in her second movie. They spray painted cardboard black and held it up behind the Coupes engine during filming to give it the look of being under the 34 hood.

The engine in the real California Kid '34 Ford was just a plain looking 302 Ford with a single four barrel carb. In the movie they wanted to make the 34 appear like more a hot rod so the Graffiti Coupe's motor is actually shown to Sheriff Roy Childress.

Like seeing the Graffiti Coupe's motor is not cool enough. During filming the speedometer they show is also from the Coupe.

Like knowing of this Graffiti factoid is not enough another little know Graffiti Coupe fact is that the miles work but the trip odometer is inoperative. Someone should check this!!! Jeff

P/S
I don't know what's funnier? Is that I noticed that or that if you check the speedo in the Coupe it still has the same mileage as it does in The California Kid. Someone never put the cable back. Still.