MovieChat Forums > Vanishing Point (1971) Discussion > The Challenger doesn't crash...

The Challenger doesn't crash...

posted 13 years ago by Lingyi
2 replies | jump to latest

Just watched the ending of the movie again and remembered a discussion from the past.

The car that crashes into the bulldozers is a Camaro, not the Challenger Kowalski was driving. The side and rear end of the car crashing into the bulldozers is a Camaro (said to be a 1969), evidenced by the different profile and tail-lights. Later, when the fire is extinguished and people are going through the wreckage, there's a ~1 second pan shot that clearly shows the Camero emblem.

Speculation is that Kowalski either veered off at the last second, leaving another car (a Camaro to crash) or simply vanished (having reached the "vanishing point" of his sanity and existence).

Of course, the real world answer is that the director never expected anyone would notice the car switch with the frame by frame analysis capability of modern video.

[–] c-schwandt 13 years ago

There was only one Challenger running when filming was done. The other 4 cars were totally destroyed. The Challenger with a 383 and automatic transmission (the car used for "beauty" shots during filming) was used to tow the 1967 Camaro shell (loaded with explosives) up to speed (about 80 MPH) to hit the bulldozers. I guess the film company didn't want to destroy the last Challenger.

Dodge wanted this movie made to advertise the Challenger.

I had noticed a long time ago that a different hood flew off the car when it hit the bulldozers. It was a "blank" hood, whereas the Challengers' hoods had hood scoops.

Yes, the Camaro fender emblem is seen upside-down in the lower left corner of the screen after the crash (after the man in the labcoat looks at the wreck).

[–] Paul-308 13 years ago

The crash car was a base 1967 Camaro.It was hastily repainted white to match the Challenger (which all where painted white over their factory colors).The engine was removed and replaced with explosives.The Camaro had chromed Steelie wheels.The production had to return all Challengers to Chrysler,and balling one up into dozers I guess was not an option.The Camaro while only 3 years old was said to be a total junker.Thats Chevy quality for ya! It was purchased dirt cheap.