This winter I got to work with the producers of the upcoming file "Wildlife" starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Enid, OK was transformed into a small Montana Town and a former Ford Showroom turned plumbing supply house became the Cadillac dealership. That's my 56 Series 62 Coupe in a starring role.
more photos
Living relatively close to NYC, a number of times I've been asked to use one or another of my classic cars in a movie or TV production. I've always turned the request down. My thought is that the film crew would not treat my vehicles with the consideration they deserve: scratching or denting them, acting as if they were just another prop. Is this what your experience was like?
My wife (before we met) watched some of the filming of "Some Came Running" in Madison, IN. Dean Martin's car was a 1941 Cadillac convertible coupe.She said that Dean drove the car down the street and for the next take, a flunky backed it up for him. When Carl Steig had his '41 60S in "Tucker", he was able to drive it. I guess it depends on the particular producer how and who drives the cars. I spoke with the guy who owned the '41Buick phaeton in (I think) Tora, Tora, Tora. He got all damage repaired and I think a new paint job. I believe there were some "bullet holes" that had to be repaired.
I would be very careful with production companies. I think we all want to do it once. My 1970 red with red interior DVC is used in the Washington Capitols (Caps) "Rock the Red" theme video back in 2009 or so. I got to drive it most of the time, or at any speed above 10mph. You can google and find the video.
The whole thing was about finding a large red convertible with a red interior, and as you all know those are rare. I was paid $450 for a fun night and my young children, 14, 12, and 9 got to be in the video as extras.
Hockey players are like my size 5'-9" whereas normally me with a group of professional athletes, I'm not one of the taller guys. Some were down to earth, others kind of spoiled - you never know.
Based on this experience, you need to be there the entire time and guard your car, letting the production crew know how important it is. I would say do not let them use a #1, car, but it is probably ok for a non perfect car. Make sure your cooling system is in perfect shape because that car will idle for hours. Unless there was a huge payment or enormous notoriety, probably would not do it again.
Hey Jim congratulations on having a movie car now. To bad they didn't film at 400 N. Walker in OKC. Who supplied the other Cadillacs for the showroom?
The 59 and 61 were locally sourced in Enid, OK and I arranged for a friend to let then use his 60 Eldorado Seville, which I drove to and from the location. This production company was amazing to work with. The rented the closed Sears Auto Center in the local mall to securely store our cars indoors under lock and key any treated the cars very well. They were so nice i agreed to let them paint my blue car pink for the film. They let me choose the painter and all.