The impact of television and film on the automotive community is profound. These mediums have elevated ordinary vehicles into beloved icons worldwide. However, many of the vehicles that captured our hearts were the products of cinematic illusion.
Take Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger from the initial Fast and Furious film, for instance. Its iconic supercharger was a fabrication. Craig Lieberman, a technical advisor on the first two Fast and Furious films, disclosed in a recent YouTube video that the impressive blower, which drew much attention, was a replica not even connected to the engine.
The large motor showcased in Dom’s garage, a 445 cubic-inch powerhouse, was merely a prop, not intended to power the muscle car. After filming, it returned to the engine shop. Though eagle-eyed viewers might have noticed the Charger at the movie’s end sporting a blower belt cover to conceal the absence of a belt, such cinematic sleight-of-hand was not uncommon.
The film utilized five Chargers, converting 1969 models into 1970 R/Ts. Two of these were stunt cars equipped with heavy-duty dual roll bars, noticeable to keen observers. The hero car, distinguished by its replica roof support and single bars, stood out prominently.
Many of the movie cars we adore have vanished over time, recycled, sold, or scrapped even before the films made their cultural impact. The early Fast and Furious vehicles started on remarkable journeys worldwide before finding permanent homes.