Were all these old cars made in Detroit? My family had a cherry red Ford LTD. Horrible thing got 6 mpg. Also in Grosse Pointe, but it was stolen from the Henry Ford Hospital parking lot on Thanksgiving day when my mom was with my dad who just had bypass surgery.
Dear Heather, I’m so sorry to hear about the car theft during your father’s surgery. OMG. As for your Q: Not all these old cars were made in Detroit. A quick review of factory records turned up these tidbits —
The 1979 Ford LTD like the one in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” started being built in Louisville, Kentucky — with other plants in the U.S. and Canada coming online later.
The 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am like the one in “Knight Rider” was assembled in Van Nuys, Calif., and Norwood, Ohio.
The 1992 Jeep YJ was built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada until 1992 and then production moved to Toledo, Ohio.
I cannot believe the impact these ridiculous movies and TV shows have had. When writing, I went back and read old scripts. Life without cell phones was truly a different world. Everyone lived in the moment.
Fun memories. I would be interested in a demographic analysis of show attendees. I’m sure someone’s keeping track of this. These cars are generational totems and I wonder how they’ll work as attractions.
Were all these old cars made in Detroit? My family had a cherry red Ford LTD. Horrible thing got 6 mpg. Also in Grosse Pointe, but it was stolen from the Henry Ford Hospital parking lot on Thanksgiving day when my mom was with my dad who just had bypass surgery.
Dear Heather, I’m so sorry to hear about the car theft during your father’s surgery. OMG. As for your Q: Not all these old cars were made in Detroit. A quick review of factory records turned up these tidbits —
The 1979 Ford LTD like the one in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” started being built in Louisville, Kentucky — with other plants in the U.S. and Canada coming online later.
The 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am like the one in “Knight Rider” was assembled in Van Nuys, Calif., and Norwood, Ohio.
The 1992 Jeep YJ was built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada until 1992 and then production moved to Toledo, Ohio.
What?! No Herbie The Love Bug?! 😜
Austin Powers met the Beetle quota. (Great car FWIW)
K.I.T.T.!
I cannot believe the impact these ridiculous movies and TV shows have had. When writing, I went back and read old scripts. Life without cell phones was truly a different world. Everyone lived in the moment.
Fun memories. I would be interested in a demographic analysis of show attendees. I’m sure someone’s keeping track of this. These cars are generational totems and I wonder how they’ll work as attractions.
I will be covering all sorts of unusual little morsels. I appreciate your ideas. Thank you, Mike.