When the rain hits you need something to pass the time indoors. These road inspired classics will get you through the wet weather, while giving you a rush as well.
The Fast and The Furious
The Fast and The Furious is now a worldwide blockbuster franchise of 7 films to date, but it’s the 2001 original that you should turn to when the weather gets bad.
The film follows undercover cop Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) as he infiltrates and then gets caught up in the world of street racer Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), a choice which have serious consequences for the both of them. The films hero car is definitely the orange 1993 Toyota Supra MK IV, which packed Toyota’s legendary 2JZ-GTE engine and AEBS turbo pack. The actual car used in the film sold at auction last year for $185,000 US ($287,142 NZ). The Supra was also put to good use in the amazing climatic chase scene which cements the film as one every petrol head must watch.
Gone In 60 Seconds
Sometimes the rain can get you down, but this cult action thrill chase definitely won’t. Nicolas Cage stars as former wheelman Randall ‘Memphis’ Raines who is dragged back into the underworld for one last score.
Gone in 60 Seconds packs plenty of explosive petrol inspired madness, as well as one epic old school American muscle car in Reign’s vehicle of choice, a pewter colored custom 1967 Mustang Fastback, which was depicted as a Shelby GT500, and is affectionately known as Eleanor. Packing a 351 Ford V-8 crate engine which was rated at 400 horsepower, this Mustang could quite literally fly. A definite must watch.
Grindhouse: Death Proof
When Quentin Tarantino makes a movie it’s a reason to celebrate, and with his throwback to motor-inspired 1970s exploitation films with Grindhouse: Death Proof you’ll get some serious wicked American muscle cars. Death Proof pits homicidal driver Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) up against a batch of determined young women, including New Zealand’s own Zoe Bell, which sets the stage for an epic HEMI powered showdown. This comes in the form of a head on battle between Mike’s 1969 Dodge Charger, and Bell’s 1970 Dodge Challenger, which was painted white as a throwback to classic road movie Vanishing Point. The climatic battle between these two beasts is filled with plenty of thrills, and spills making for excellent wet weather watching.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
While your downing high octane adrenaline remember that the kids will also be trapped inside, and warranting some entertainment as well. Not to worry, because this classic will whisk them-off in a magical adventure.
Following the misadventures of misfit inventor Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), the unsuspecting Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), and Pott’s children as they travel to the far away land of Vulgaria is a terrific classic. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was inspired by vintage racing cars, and featured a Ford V6 and automatic transmission instead of the tricky non-synchromesh gearboxes of the period. In a sublime twist of fate the car was sold at auction for $805,000 ($1,249,539) to none other than our own, Sir Peter Jackson.