[2002Z4CSS]

So is this TA still around?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

So is this TA still around?

Refer to post #s 24, 25, 26 on this thread...

[gtoric]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

ive always assumed they took all the trans am decals off of it to avoid any kind of royalty payments????

I can't imagine that the producers would have to pay any sort of royalty to any organization. Pontiac already paid the SCCA for the use of the Trans Am name when each car was built. Pontiac wouldn't care how the cars were presented, in fact leaving the hood bird on the car would have been great, free advertising for the new showy option.

Also, giving a discount on the purchase price of movie vehicles is pretty common. The car maker considers this practice a form of cheap advertising.

I think that it was a deliberate decision by the producers/director meant to fit the mode of transportation that would have fit Wayne's police detective character's personality. A bad ass car with a rollin' under the radar appearance.

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by gtoric

I can't imagine that the producers would have to pay any sort of royalty to any organization. Pontiac already paid the SCCA for the use of the Trans Am name when each car was built. Pontiac wouldn't care how the cars were presented, in fact leaving the hood bird on the car would have been great, free advertising for the new showy option.

The TA's ordered and used in the movie were not built with the optional hood bird decals. So no issue there. But they would still have had the small bumper bird decal.
I think the real reason all the other decals were removed will have to remain unanswered.

[gtoric]

Originally Posted by Transamric

The TA's ordered and used in the movie were not built with the optional hood bird decals. So no issue there. But they would still have had the small bumper bird decal.
I think the real reason all the other decals were removed will have to remain unanswered.

I'll still argue that it was a deliberate choice on the part of the producer or director to match the conservative character profile of a retirement-age SPD Lieutenant Detective.

Two observations; since '73 was the first year for the screamin' chicken hood decoration, the public was not really used to its rather bold appearance yet. The producers probably wanted a subtle look for McQ's vehicle. Plus it saved a little cash by not ordering the $55 option. Someone certainly knew what they wanted when those TAs were ordered. Not a lot was known about the delete decal option at that time.

As you stated, all of the TRANS AM callouts were also removed from the cars. This further reinforced the stealth look of the performance Pontiac ponycar McQ owned. After all, the McQ character was nearing retirement age (Wayne was 65 at the time) in this film play. A detective of that vintage probably would not have wanted the extra visibility that a fully festooned TA would have afforded on the streets of Seattle. He certainly loved the performance/handling, however.

Has anyone viewed the DVD copy of this film in the “commentary” mode? Maybe some mention of this issue was made there? Many times the director or a producer will make note of exactly why a certain vehicle was chosen for the lead character, or why its appearance was modified.

[Wareagle]

Alvin any word on what was under the Hood of McQ's T/A - One guy on Facebook who was there said one actually had a SD-455

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Transamric

The TA's ordered and used in the movie were not built with the optional hood bird decals. So no issue there. But they would still have had the small bumper bird decal.
I think the real reason all the other decals were removed will have to remain unanswered.

Originally Posted by Wareagle

Alvin any word on what was under the Hood of McQ's T/A - One guy on Facebook who was there said one actually had a SD-455

IIRC - Transamric (post above) owns/owned one of the movie McQ TAs, perhaps he (or others here) could post the previous alternate PY detailed thread about these McQ TA's history & restoration? IIRC2 (could be wrong - again! ) a PYr restored the TA crushed by the 2 tractors in the alley?

Originally Posted by gtoric

I'll still argue that it was a deliberate choice on the part of the producer or director to match the conservative character profile of a retirement-age SPD Lieutenant Detective.

Two observations; since '73 was the first year for the screamin' chicken hood decoration, the public was not really used to its rather bold appearance yet. The producers probably wanted a subtle look for McQ's vehicle. Plus it saved a little cash by not ordering the $55 option. Someone certainly knew what they wanted when those TAs were ordered. Not a lot was known about the delete decal option at that time.

As you stated, all of the TRANS AM callouts were also removed from the cars. This further reinforced the stealth look of the performance Pontiac ponycar McQ owned. After all, the McQ character was nearing retirement age (Wayne was 65 at the time) in this film play. A detective of that vintage probably would not have wanted the extra visibility that a fully festooned TA would have afforded on the streets of Seattle. He certainly loved the performance/handling, however.

Has anyone viewed the DVD copy of this film in the “commentary” mode? Maybe some mention of this issue was made there? Many times the director or a producer will make note of exactly why a certain vehicle was chosen for the lead character, or why its appearance was modified.

Thxs for the reminder - I'll have to break out my DVD and see if commentary is available and any info on the TA's.

[Wareagle]

Cool - didn't seem like a - 250 net hp 455

[gtoric]

It has been theorized that McQ is a shortened version of McQueen.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Here's what one of the cars used in the movie McQ looked like prior to restoration or scrapping:



From IMDB below:

Just after these "compactors" (above) leave the scene and the Seattle PD show up, McQ Sez:

"Put some foam on this thing. I'm up to my butt in gasoline!"

Originally Posted by gtoric

It has been theorized that McQ is a shortened version of McQueen.

Could be. No worries IMO love both movies and actors McQueen & Wayne.
The bonus w McQ is the Pontiac Trans Am and "The Duke"

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by Wareagle

Alvin any word on what was under the Hood of McQ's T/A - One guy on Facebook who was there said one actually had a SD-455

No Super Duties. All were built with the standard L75 455/M40 combo.
The VIN's that have been learned show May built cars, likely 05C or 05D. before SD production had started.

[Wareagle]

Originally Posted by Transamric

No Super Duties. All were built with the standard L75 455/M40 combo.
The VIN's that have been learned show May built cars, likely 05C or 05D. before SD production had started.

Cool - Pontiac Torque

[Transamric]

I had the chance to buy one that was in town here for a short time. It was a rust bucket no longer in possession of its original engine, so I passed on it.
A poster here (A Schab) knows of the location of a better condition McQ TA. If he still lurks around here, perhaps he will update us on it. And no, it wasn't for sale!

[Wareagle]

Originally Posted by Transamric

I had the chance to buy one that was in town here for a short time. It was a rust bucket no longer in possession of its original engine, so I passed on it.
A poster here (A Schab) knows of the location of a better condition McQ TA. If he still lurks around here, perhaps he will update us on it. And no, it wasn't for sale!

Our great North West Winters - salt - snow slush rain . Be cool to see the better condition McQ T/A

[OCMDGTO]

Awesome car! John Wayne called it the Green Hornet in the movie. It was the first PG movie I ever saw, walked a mile in the snow with my Dad to get to the theater as a boy. Shame he was chasing a box truck instead of some thing cooler, but still did some burnouts as I recall.

[Transamric]

Here's some screen grabs to further "fuel the fires".
One pic clearly shows the Firestone white letters while other scenes must have them blacked out, as Rocky mentioned.
The other two pics show the standard, small bumper bird decal still in place. Perhaps not all three cars were detailed out the same?

[bossbirdta]

have you ever noticed that as great of a flick as Mc Q is,(for John Wayne & Pontiac fans alike) there is No Doubt it was a copy/remake of Bullitt....

same color Car as Bullitt.....

the Car was "trimmed down" for a cleaner look, like Bullitt...

characters had similar backgrounds, like Bullitt.....

Big City street chase scene, like Bullitt....

the Car even used the same sound track, as Bullitt....

dont get me wrong, I love Mc Q but it is what it is.....

[Transamric]

And at least one more thing could be added to that list;
I've read that some of the same stunt drivers were used.

[Drag Star Le Mans]

The Seattle skyline sure has changed, but it has been 40yrs. Need to get a current shot?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

So is this TA still around?

Originally Posted by Alvin

IIRC - Transamric (post above) owns/owned one of the movie McQ TAs, perhaps he (or others here) could post the previous alternate PY detailed thread about these McQ TA's history & restoration? IIRC2 (could be wrong - again! ) a PYr restored the TA crushed by the 2 tractors in the alley?


Thxs for the reminder - I'll have to break out my DVD and see if commentary is available and any info on the TA's.

Checked last night - no TA commentary on my Warner Brothers re-released edition DVD copy of McQ.
However; the "Special Features" section does include (1) take rollover beach stunt before & after with the stunt driver commenting how he's "used to working w 4 or 5 people and how unusual it was for him to be the only stuntman" performing the stunt (image below).



Supporting actors gushing about how great John Wayne is as an actor, John commenting "how easy it looks to act, but here he is on set @ 6am" reminds me of his "Work Hard, Play Harder" reputation...good stuff, that may all soon be forgotten as time goes by.


Also; # 15 repost from this thread:

Originally Posted by REEDRACER

A(ndy) Schab has the actually car. See the thread.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=716976