Egads. I've been searching for the name of the model of car that Kevin Kline (Benjamin Hood)drives in the movie but alas, no avail. Does anyone know??? The book refers to it as a type of Pontiac Firebird, I believe, but I want a specific year to find it. Thanks for any help!!
-----------------------------------------
"Guess she don't like the cornbread either..."
I hate to even admit that I know the answer, but Ben's car is a 1971 Buick Riviera. The 1971 - 1973 model years all had the boat-tail back end that stands out when you see the car.
But the 1971 model was the first for this design and had large louvers on the trunk lid that was part of the car's ventilation system. In certain conditions, precipitation could be pulled into the car and these trunk louvers were removed before the 1972 model came out. You can see the louvers on Ben's car in the overhead shot where Ben is picking up Paul at the station just before Thanksgiving (he opens the trunk to throw in Paul's bag.)
This really is a beautiful car (the 65 GS Riviera is probably my favorite) but I wouldn't want to pay to fill it up every week!
Janey drives a Ford Ltd Country Squire Wagon.
Don't be ashamed to know the answer. That model is a beaute! Thanks!
-----------------------------------------
"Guess she don't like the cornbread either..."
Good catch on '71 vs. '72. It's also the GS model of the "boat tail" Riviera (in one scene when he's parking, you can see the red GS logo on the right front fender panel). The Country Squire wagon looks phenomenal, though the wheels seem non-factory to me (any car nerds here who can set me straight?).
Mikey's dad drives a '71, '72, or '73 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. It's only shown in the dark/rain/storm, so it's hard to tell, though I chuckled at the fact that when he reclines the seat, it's ONE SEAT, not two different ones.
There's also a very brief glimpse of a beautiful early '70s Eldorado in the background when the daughter is riding her bike to steal.
Wow, good eyes on the GS logo. This car had a "GS" logo on the bottom of each front quarter panel (and it looks like one on the front grill) that can be seen if you very carefully examine the scene where Ben drives Paul home and they pull into the driveway. The GS was basically an upgraded version of the car with bigger motor, etc. Since you paid for it, the car got an extra insignia to show it off.
At some point I had a 1972 Ford brochure which showed that the LTD Country Squire did have an upgraded hub cap option, but I don't know if these match what Janey's car had.
I thought the boat-tail back was the coolest thing when I was a kid. It would be fun to restore one of those, but I bet the rear window costs a fortune.
shareI bet you're right. There is a youtube video that discusses the car and they mention that so few of these cars were produced that no one makes replacement parts for them.
Oddly enough, they also mention that the interior is cramped for a car that is that long. As the car was being designed, there was a dispute over which frame to put it on and the larger frame was chosen. But it seems the extra room was given to the hood and trunk.
I went out and located the youtube video that I had seen on the car. You can search on "My Classic Car Season 9 Episode 6 - 1971 Buick Riviera" or try the link below. You will want to skip to just shy of minute 13:00 to see the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4zmvqItHbQ
Also I located the article that discussed the issues with the car design and decisions on which frame to use for it.
http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/buick-riviera-boattail/
[deleted]