"the accident happened when the car used by two stuntmen rammed into a filming lorry and then into a wall on set near the picturesque Lake Garda in northern Italy..."

"...one of the two men, a Greek national, ended up in intensive care in a hospital in the nearby town of Verona."

Will the old GMC be played by the GMC Savana or Chevy Express, the twin van titans in the General's lineup — each coming in both a rear-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive model? Could Ford jump into the mix with their new Transit Connect? Maybe Dodge will want a go and drop a Sprinter into the mix, Mercedes-sourced engine and all. We mean, we'd love to see a Hartmann SP5 Sprinter. Oh, the possibilities feel endless. [YahooTV]

photo source theateamvan.com

We especially appreciate those who went out of their way and made up Wert-centric paraphernalia to display your command of auto-site-enthusiasm. Check out the gallery to see if you're famous, otherwise thanks for showing up and we hope to put together more events to amuse and entertain you slobs in the future. Also, if you pay attention in the galleries, there's room for dragon jokes.

So how are we going to know a J-Lop from a common schmo? Aside from you lucky few with "Save the Enzos" t-shirts and whatever psycho decides to put el Werto on a shirt or whatever, the easiest solution is to just go the AA way - name tags. We'll have 'em or you can bring your own cleverly sarcastic version. I'm going to head over to the all volunteer staffed theater (and thus only open part time) this evening and make sure we've got things straight for all you hooligans tomorrow. We'll probably have a "Jalopnik" section if we can swing it. Make sure you bring your $4 cause we're sure the nonprofit theater will appreciate the patronage. Not much else to say, we're looking forward to tomorrow and hope you guys are too.

„Iron Man" and Audi R8: Vorsprung durch Technik

* "Iron Man" opens in theaters around the world in early May 2008
* Audi campaign accompanies the product placement
* Technical details, backgrounds, history: www.audi.com/ironman

Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, the leading man in the Paramount and Marvel Studios movie version of "Iron Man". Head of a big industrial complex, he owes his super-powers to an indestructible, hi-tech suit of armor of his own design that has a variety of uses and earns him the title "Iron Man." When he's not wearing it, this billionaire technophile relies on his Audi R8. It matches Stark's super hero guise very well: The slits through which Iron Man views the world resemble the all-LED headlamps on the R8, Stark's artificial heart with its ring of lights recalls the sports car's exposed mid-engine and his immensely tough armor is matched by the Audi Space Frame, the high-strength aluminum structure on which this hi-tech automobile is built. The film's hero and his favored mode of transport both symbolize Audi's famous technical leadership claim: "Vorsprung durch Technik."

"The Audi R8 is the perfect car for Tony Stark," says Iron Man's director Jon Favreau. "It's a technical masterpiece, it's fast and safe - and it's the ultimate eye-catcher." Tony Stark delights in luxury; he's intelligent, demanding and a lover of life to the full. Naturally he utilizes his exceptional abilities for the good of mankind - when he takes on the personality of Iron Man, his super-hero alter ego. There has never been a comic-strip hero with such a deep-seated understanding of technology and the opportunities opened up by innovation and progressive ideas.

The attitudes that the leading character represents were one of the main reasons why Audi became involved in this production: interaction between the role, the movie as a whole and the product is the decisive factor in successful product placement. Michael Renz, Head of Central Marketing at Audi, says: "The character and lifestyle of Tony Stark tie in very well with the attributes of the Audi R8. And in any case, "Iron Man" is one of the world's best-known, never-aging super-heroes - an opportunity we were determined not to miss!"

But in reality the combination of automobile and screen hero has to be credible - actor Robert Downey Jr. sees it this way too. "I grew up with the Audi mystique. This carmaker has always been right in the forefront when it comes to technology, performance, innovation and safety. I see Tony and myself as worthy ambassadors for Audi - we're genuine fans of the make." Renz too regards this as an important precondition: "Unless the star of a production identifies with the brand, and the image of the leading role matches what Audi stands for, the connection is simply not credible enough. We're fortunate in this respect: Many Hollywood stars value Audi very highly, and are driving our cars in their private lives anyway."

Audi has another worthy ambassador on the cast list too: Tony Stark's assistant Virginia "Pepper" Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, drives an Audi S5 in the movie. She is an intelligent, ambitious woman who knows exactly what she wants. The sporty dynamics and elegant finesse of the Audi S5 suit her character well. Her honest approach is evident as the plot progresses: She supports Tony Stark unhesitatingly even before he plunges into his fight against the evil forces of this world. As the chief executive of Stark Industries, a gigantic multinational armaments group, the billionaire demonstrates his ability as a business policymaker. His life changes abruptly, however, when he is kidnapped while launching one of his latest inventions in Afghanistan. The criminals intend to force him to build a weapon of immense destructive force.

Instead of this, Stark develops and builds a revolutionary metal suit of armor while in the kidnappers' clutches. With its aid he is able to escape and reach home again. His next move is to perfect his suit and start to combat what proves to be a conspiracy of global dimensions. Another loyal colleague in addition to Virginia "Pepper" Potts is Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes ("Rhodey"), played by Terrence Howard.

This comedy drama, which is full of action and special effects, opens in theaters around the world in early May 2008, but fans and other interested people all over the world don't need to wait for the movie to reach their local theaters before immersing themselves in the world of "Iron Man." An Audi micro-site has been produced especially for this movie. On its complex home page the user can pay a virtual visit to Tony Stark's top-secret New York workshop. Two perspectives are available: Through the eyes of Tony Stark, trailers and background information on the movie can be called up and viewed. Alternatively the special "Iron Man Vision" infrared viewer can be used, for instance to explore the design details of the Audi R8 and A5. The micro-site also contains historical facts about Audi and the 'Iron Man' comic strip, which can be found in a virtual Audi R10 TDI racecar.

The micro-site goes online at www.audi.com/ironman on March 10, 2008.

"One Man. One Machine. One Mission." The online campaign starts with this motto alongside the micro-site. The key visual shows Iron Man with the Audi R8. This action-packed motif recalls a movie theater poster and is intended to draw Internet users' attention to the web site. The decision in favor of this theater-style campaign was a deliberate one, with the aim of strengthening the link between the Audi R8 and Tony Stark, alias Iron Man. In communication terms it is very different from regular Audi advertising. "We want to address a young movie-going public directly," says Michael Renz. Advertising measures are also being put into effect at Audi dealers, starting in March.

Early in April, communication measures in Germany will be stepped up, with outdoor advertising and movie theater trailers. A notable feature of the trailers is that they were produced especially for Audi and are made up of exclusive scenes from the movie and Audi road shots. All eleven trailers will be placed on the micro-site in succession by the time the movie reaches theaters in early May 2008.

Although the Audi R8 impressed the cast and the production team so much while the movie was being shot, director Jon Favreau found himself facing a slight problem as the story reached its climax. He had planned for the car to be used in a final scene by being involved in a dramatic collision with Iron Man's wicked adversary. This had to be omitted from the final cut, Favreau explains: "The crash just wasn't spectacular enough! Our stunt specialists did their best to turn the R8 over onto its roof, which would have given us a dramatic final scene, but they failed - the car clung to the road too well!"

It looks as if the Audi R8 had better stick to what it does best, even after a promising start to its acting career. One of the great Hollywood stars of the past could maybe have hammed this scene with the director's help, but not a car designed and hand-built according to Audi's famous "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan. A car such as this guarantees top dynamic performance, technological leadership and, thanks to its quattro permanent all-wheel drive, clings firmly to the road. Never mind if a spectacular crash could save the world - it's simply too much to expect of an Audi R8 that's built to perform its task perfectly in every other way.

Another important role in "Iron Man" - apart from Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and of course the Audi R8 - is played by Jeff Bridges. Jon Favreau is the director and the screenplay was written by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. The producers of "Iron Man" are Avi Arad and Kevin Feige, the executive producers Louis D'Esposito, Peter Billingsley, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee and David Maisel.

Audi has a long product placement tradition. Systematic placement of automobiles in movies is an important element in its communication strategy. Of course, all activity of this kind has to be in conformity with Audi's general brand strategy. This is why Audi chooses the projects carefully. Its contribution to the movie 'I, Robot' (2004) was spectacular: Will Smith drove the RSQ, which was especially designed for 'I, Robot' and in fact a futuristic design study for the Audi R8 now seen in 'Iron Man'. Cars from the brand with the four-ring emblem were also to be seen as "leading automobile actors" in John Frankenheimer's classic action movie 'Ronin' (with Jean Reno und Robert De Niro, 1998), and in 'The Insider' (with Russell Crowe, 1999), 'Mission Impossible II' (with Tom Cruise, 2000), 'The Mothman Prophecies' (with Richard Gere, 2002), 'About a Boy' (with Hugh Grant, 2002), Reese Witherspoon's 'Natural Blonde 2' (2003), 'Transporter 2' (Jason Statham, 2005) or 'The Bourne Ultimatum' (Matt Damon, 2007).

AUDI AG sold a total of 964,151 cars in 2007 and thus achieved its twelfth consecutive record year. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of the Audi A6 started in Aurangabad, India. The company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include Lamborghini S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy, and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi employs more than 54,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than € 2 billion each year in order to sustain the company's technological lead embodied in its "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan. Audi plans to nearly double the number of models in its portfolio by 2015, from the 25 currently on offer to 40.

AUDI AG will present the complete results for the 2007 business year at its Annual Press Conference on March 11, 2008 in Ingolstadt.

Okay, so doors open at 7 pm and the movie starts at 8 pm. Redford isn't the nicest town in Detroit — not terribly dangerous, but on the skeevy side. Rest assured though as the parking lots as seen below are guarded. You'll be treated to some really cool old-timey Chinese themed movie theater kitsch, so bring your camera if you're into that kind of thing. We'll be there early, but we haven't really figured out how we should identify ourselves as a group. Perhaps you all can come with something good, we'll run a reminder on Friday with some kind of scarlet letter to point out the nerdliness.

Yes indeed folks, just as if it were the old days, Bullitt will be shown in two parts in the very cool, very swank Redford Theater, and we're interested in a meet up. Bullitt will be showing in the Chinese theater themed house of movies on two days - March 15th and 16th, so we'll need to narrow things down a bit. The polls below are for two items of bidness. First we need to warn the theater of how many car nerds are interested in going, and second we need to know which day is better for the watching. It's easy to understand passing if you live far away, but if you're in the area there's really no excuse. Come on, they're running Daffy Duck and Porky Pig cartoons and will be wailing on one of two remaining pipe organs in the city during intermission, how can you pass?

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I joined JT and his rag tag team of Big Easy misfits on that trip, resulting in a feature that appeared in 0-60 magazine's second issue. He never did set that record, but by pushing himself and his team beyond their breaking points, by focusing himself on a new project, and by inspiring people throughout his hometown, I think JT found himself again.

Salt Dreams premieres April 2, at One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter.
[Via Hell For Leather]

Gallery Photos: Grant Ray

Ted Krygier, one of the Ford fan-boys over there, did a quick p-shop that you can see above and which we're totally digging. But I kind of feel like our commenters may be able to do better. Anyone care to take a stab at a new whip for Officer Murphy? If you're looking for p-shop fodder, you may want to try here or here. [via Blue Oval News]

LEGO Group Secures Rights from Warner Bros. Consumer Products to Upcoming SPEED RACER Film

LEGO Group, the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, today announced an agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) to secure construction toy rights for the upcoming movie release SPEED RACER, the live action feature film adaptation of the classic TV series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida.

Under the agreement, LEGO Group will produce four constructible racing playsets under its LEGO Racers brand, scheduled to race onto store shelves in April 2008, and ranging in price from $19.99 to $59.99 USD. Builders and collectors alike will appreciate the inclusion of multiple authentic racers in each set for head-to-head racing and building fun. Many of the SPEED RACER characters also will come to life in LEGO minifigure form, including Speed, Racer X, Trixie, Spritle, Chim-Chim, Mom and Pops Racer, Taejo Togokhan, Snake Oiler, Gray Ghost and Cruncher Block.

"Warner Bros. Consumer Products has partnered with LEGO on Batman and Harry Potter, and we are excited to expand our relationship to include products based on the upcoming SPEED RACER film," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "LEGO has captured the racing excitement of the film in its own unique way."

"The popularity and universal appeal of SPEED RACER has engaged generations of loyal and enduring fans," said Jill Wilfert, Vice President, Partnership and Alliance Management for LEGO Group. "Combined with one of our most popular lines in LEGO Racers, SPEED RACER has become an awesome proposition for our business and consumers."

The green flag drops on May 9, 2008, when SPEED RACER makes his feature film debut in the newest project from writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking The Matrix trilogy, and producer Joel Silver. A live-action, high-octane family adventure based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the big-screen SPEED RACER will follow the adventures of the young race car driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) in his quest for glory in his thundering Mach 5. It will feature other characters that fans of the show will remember, including Mom (Susan Sarandon) and Pops Racer (John Goodman), girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci) and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox).

First, let's watch the trailer, to get into the right frame of mind. Remember, these bloodthirsty babes are roaming the same desert than the Manson Family made their own a few years later!

As I've mentioned before, Tura Satana's Porsche 356 gets all the attention, but the other two cars driven by Tura's murderous gang deserve equal consideration. So, let's start with Lori Williams' Triumph TR3.


I'm going to get lazy here and copy the description from the England's Dreaming PCH here: Imagine blasting across the desert like a Russ Meyer-esque dangerous outcast in your very own 50s Triumph... say, this 1959 TR3 (go here if the ad disappears), for example. The seller, Mike, is a man who doesn't believe in sucking all the oxygen out of the air with useless discussion (instead, he saves oxygen for vigorous union with iron atoms in the floor of his Triumph); the sum total of the car's description is as follows: "Mostly complete, California car, rust in floors, hard to find classic." It looks like it's been exposed to the elements for a while, so you figure there's some interior work to be done in addition to the rust repair and the inevitable battles against electrical woes, but who cares? Imagine this thing with the body in nice shape and a crazy twin-cam Japanese engine under the hood!


Yes, the TR3 is a mighty fine machine and all, but those bulging headlights might be just a little too cute for a true Tura Satana sidekick's ride. But this 1960 MGA (go here if the ad disappears) is quite the mean machine, with its 79-horse 1600 engine and heartbreaking Lucas electrics. The seller claims the engine and transmission are in working order, and that there's no rust on the body panels. However, mention of the rust situation in other areas (say, the floor... or the chassis) is conspicuously absent from the description. The car comes with a bunch of extra parts, and there may well be enough of them to put together one somewhat complete MGA. All for just $3,500! We'd recommend swapping out the original engine for a 4A-GZE, because your potential desert prey will be driving faster cars than they were in the mid-60s; 79 horsepower will allow everything but Rabbit Diesels and early Hyundai Excels to flee with ease. Then, of course, you'll need to paint it white, to match Haji's car from the movie.


All right, now we're done with the British cars and we're ready to take a look at the car driven by the leader of the pack (by the way, Ms. Satana celebrated her 69th birthday at Alameda's Forbidden Island tiki bar a few months ago, so maybe one of the DOTS cars belongs to her). I know a lot of you are probably saying something like "Dude, no way can you buy a real Porsche 356 anywhere near as cheap as those other two cars!" right about now, but that's because you haven't yet seen this 1964 Porsche 356 (go here if the ad disappears) for a stunningly cheap price tag of $4,995. We'll allow that it's missing a few things here and there. Such as the engine. And the transmission. And the floor. All right, fine, it's a rolling 356 shell- but, hey, at least it's not a Beetle-based kit car! We figure you could stuff a hairy Subaru mill in there and triple the horsepower while applying fingernails to the mental chalkboards of Porsche purists everywhere.

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But if even this one doesn't do it for ya, here's a link to the Yahoo! Movies site that's got the real sweetness. Try not to get a cavity. (Hat tip to Manny!) [Yahoo! Movies]

"The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack — a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts — and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle."

UPDATED 'KNIGHT RIDER' REVS UP TO RETURN TO NBC FOR SPECIAL TWO-HOUR MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17 AS NEW KITT CAR IS REVEALED "Knight Rider" Cast Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison Participate at the Unveiling Event Showcasing the Customized KITT Ford Mustang to Be Featured in Movie Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") to Serve as Executive Producers; David Hasselhoff, the Star of the Original "Knight Rider" Series, Appears as a Special Guest Star in His Original Role as Michael Knight NBC Also Forms Partnership with Ford Motor Company That Provides for Unique Content Opportunity BURBANK - December 12, 2007 - As "Knight Rider" — NBC's iconic 1980s television classic that became a runaway success, comes roaring back to life on the network with an updated sequel that will air as a two-hour movie event on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET) — NBC unveiled the new customized KITT Ford Mustang to be featured in the series in a press event held at NBC's Burbank Studios today. The movie stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case," "All My Children"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS," "The Young and the Restless"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Grindhouse") and Bruce Davison ("Breach," "Close to Home"). In addition, David Hasselhoff (NBC's "America's Got Talent") — who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series — returns as the same character in a special guest-star appearance. Will Arnett (NBC's "30 Rock," "Blades of Glory") will provide the voice of KITT. Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers. NBC also has an arrangement with Ford Motor Company that provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie. The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack — a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts — and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.

As the original story resumes, the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body — thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology — is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car — and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.

Sarah Graiman is a 24-year old Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, following in her genius father Charles' (Davison) footsteps. But when men attempt to abduct her, Sarah receives a mysterious call from KITT warning her that he's a creation of Charles, who also invented the first KITT 25 years ago — and that her father is in serious danger.

Sarah and KITT track down her best friend from childhood, Mike Tracer (Bruening), a 23-year-old ex-Army Ranger, whom Sarah hasn't seen since he left home at 18. Having served in Iraq, Mike is now jaded and lost and initially resistant. Eventually he agrees to help Sarah and the two set out to discover who's behind the attempt to procure KITT and find Charles. Along the way, Carrie Rivai (Poitier) plays the agile yet tough FBI agent who has a long-standing friendship with Charles and Sarah. Due to those ties, she is brought into the mix to help in the search.

David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors"), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.

UPDATED 'KNIGHT RIDER' REVS UP TO RETURN TO NBC FOR SPECIAL TWO-HOUR MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17 AS NEW KITT CAR IS REVEALED "Knight Rider" Cast Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison Participate at the Unveiling Event Showcasing the Customized KITT Ford Mustang to Be Featured in Movie Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") to Serve as Executive Producers; David Hasselhoff, the Star of the Original "Knight Rider" Series, Appears as a Special Guest Star in His Original Role as Michael Knight NBC Also Forms Partnership with Ford Motor Company That Provides for Unique Content Opportunity BURBANK - December 12, 2007 - As "Knight Rider" — NBC's iconic 1980s television classic that became a runaway success, comes roaring back to life on the network with an updated sequel that will air as a two-hour movie event on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET) — NBC unveiled the new customized KITT Ford Mustang to be featured in the series in a press event held at NBC's Burbank Studios today. The movie stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case," "All My Children"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS," "The Young and the Restless"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Grindhouse") and Bruce Davison ("Breach," "Close to Home"). In addition, David Hasselhoff (NBC's "America's Got Talent") — who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series — returns as the same character in a special guest-star appearance. Will Arnett (NBC's "30 Rock," "Blades of Glory") will provide the voice of KITT. Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers. NBC also has an arrangement with Ford Motor Company that provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie. The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack — a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts — and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.

As the original story resumes, the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body — thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology — is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car — and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.

Sarah Graiman is a 24-year old Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, following in her genius father Charles' (Davison) footsteps. But when men attempt to abduct her, Sarah receives a mysterious call from KITT warning her that he's a creation of Charles, who also invented the first KITT 25 years ago — and that her father is in serious danger.

Sarah and KITT track down her best friend from childhood, Mike Tracer (Bruening), a 23-year-old ex-Army Ranger, whom Sarah hasn't seen since he left home at 18. Having served in Iraq, Mike is now jaded and lost and initially resistant. Eventually he agrees to help Sarah and the two set out to discover who's behind the attempt to procure KITT and find Charles. Along the way, Carrie Rivai (Poitier) plays the agile yet tough FBI agent who has a long-standing friendship with Charles and Sarah. Due to those ties, she is brought into the mix to help in the search.

David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors"), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.

When you're talking cars from Repo Man, you're more or less required by law to start the discussion by bringing up J. Frank Parnell's '64 Chevy Malibu, with its trunkload of deadly cargo. Fortunately for those wishing to build their own replica of this car, J. Frank's Malibu was a four-door six-cylinder machine, which means you can get them pretty cheaply. For example, this 1964 Chevrolet Malibu 4-door (go here if the ad disappears) for just $900. Give it a paint job, put some pecan pies in the back and a bright light in the trunk, don your single-lensed sunglasses, and you'll be paying heavy-duty homage to one of the best car movies of all time! This one probably needs a fair bit of mechanical work to get to that point (the seller claims it's just a distributor cap), and we can assume there's rust, but it's cheap and simple- how bad can it be?

You figure everyone and his brother is going to go for the Malibu when putting together a Repo Man homage car, but maybe you want to be a little different. You could go with Duke's 1978 Corolla, or maybe the Government Agents' 1971 Matador, but: Harry Dean Stanton! Not only did Stanton play Bud in Repo Man, he played a hitchhiker in Two Lane Blacktop (which may well be the best car movie of all time), plus there's his unforgettable "AVENGE ME!" line from the ultimate Cheezy 80s Flick, Red Dawn. Thus, you need to pick up this here 1971 Chevrolet Impala 4-door (go here if the ad disappears) and recreate Bud's ride from Repo Man! Asking price is $1500... or maybe it's $2100 (depending on whether you go by the headline or the description), but either way you'll be able to do some negotiatin' with this motivated seller. The car runs, seems to look reasonably intact, and its Arizona locale is a likely indicator that you won't find much rust. Just give it a dark blue paint job, put a big whip antenna on it, and get ready for some fast driving in the L.A. River.

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We've heard mixed sentiments about the film, and we've got sort of high standards for the Speed Racer remake based on inflated memories of how much we loved the show in our youth, but if someone was to make book on whether or not we were going to see this on the biggest screen we could find &mdash we'd take that action. [USA Today]

[SpoilerTV via AICN]