911 in the movies

[spyderman]

Anyone seen the new movie Spy Game with Robert Redford. In it he drives a early 911. Can anyone tell me what year and model? It was a very beautiful car. Worth seeing the movie just for the car.

[Kevin Stewart]

Havent seen it yet but plan to watch it because it has a 911 in it. I watched a movie the name was something spider, i couldnt believe it, at the first part of the movie the guy drives a SC, and then at the end hes driving a early narrow car. What the hell happen they forget which car they where using or couldnt tell? I couldnt believe they were trying to pull that off as the same car, Kevin

[spyderman]

The reason I'm interested is that I'm thinking about buying a 911, and I really like the look of the one in the movie.

[cegerer]

I did notice the early 911 on the commercials for that movie over the weekend. An interesting choice of cars, to say the least. I might have to drag myself to the theater to find out why.

[geoffbaltz]

I believe it is a '73

Great movie.

-g

[Saffs]

Originally posted by jadams
If you are the showy type who buys cars based on the fact that it is in a movie with Brad Pitt and Robert Redford, you will not be happy in an early car. You would probably be better off leasing a Boxster so you can trade it when another car catches your fancy in a movie.

That's a little unkind....and might turn off new enthusiasts.
I would say, they are great cars and I'm sure you will find it an amazing hobby as well as everyday transport, if that's what you're going for, whatever the Porsche.
I think quite a few people get turned on to 911s through seeing them in Movies - I did when I was about 12 watching Le Mans (Steve Mqueen Le Mans, that is). I don't think it totally means you fancy yourself as Robert Redford et al., but there's many, I'm sure, that have thought of Steve Mq. when driving their 911 - I certainly have.
It's a means as an introduction. It doesn't mean one is a big sissy and better lease a Boxster, if you see a car you love the look of in a Movie. Start learning more about them.

[APKhaos]

The Spy Game has two cars, both are 912s. The first car was fairly rough, even though it looks great on screen. The production people turned up at a PCA Potomac event, and asked the drivers meeting if anyone know of a green 68 912 that they could use for filming. Oh, and don't worry about the color - we will respray the car if it needs it! You can imagine the moans from the audience.

It turns out that one of our members had a suitable green 912, and despite protesting that he had several sessions of free track time coming, and having to remove a ton of external aero bits, he was convinced that the several thousand bucks they were offering for the use of the car was probably a good deal. Kurt's car is the one used in the tracking shots on location in and around DC and Langley. Its a beautiful 912, and a great track car.
Kurt is now and forever known as 'Hollywood' around the club!

[spyderman]

Thank you. APKhaos. I thought I noticed that there were two different cars, but didn't want to come off as being too much of a novice if I was wrong.

And thank you Saffs for your support. I used to have a 924, and now am planning to build a RSK Replica with 914 powerplant and gearbox. When I finish that, I'd like to maybe get into an early 70's 911. I am by no means anywhere close to an expert, but very willing to learn. That is why I am part of this great BBS!

[Matt Smith]

He he.
That's a great story guys. Seems we are often cruelest to the people we are close to.
It's true though- mostly inspiration for a particular car will have nothing to do with having a great desire to fix it. That part comes later, and when the going gets tough it's really the initial inspiration that gets us through the nasty bits time and time again..
(cue Matt imagining he is Steve McQueen in a turtle neck sweater and tan leather jacket pulling up at Le Mans- while in reality he is sitting outside pizza hut grovelling for his last $2 under the seat, wearing a greasey ripped T shirt and some beige Wal Mart slacks )

[Rick Lee]

I saw the previews but not the movie yet. I'm a Potomac PCA member and Kurt used his green 912 for a brake fluid seminar at the last tech session. He said they wouldn't let him drive the car in the flick, as was not a member of SAG. It's a great looking car and I never pass up a chance to check it out when I see Kurt at the track or the tech sessions.

[cegerer]

So how in the world did they decide to write a 912 into the script! Talk about an obscure Porsche. I don't mean that as a dig against 912's, I'm just surprised at that choice of cars. Does it somehow fit the character in the movie?

BTW: Robert Redford also drove his girlfriend's early 911 in the classic Downhill Racer! Maybe Redford is a Porsche fan?

[lukeh]

Yes, Redford is a Porsche fan. I have an old Porsche book, can't remember the name, it's something like The Survivor Series. In the book they drive an older 930. When they go to get the car from the dealer he comments how the other 930 on the lot is Redford's.

[Saffs]

Originally posted by jadams
Saffs, I know. But he sits in the cubical next to me and I led him to this site. Thanks for looking out for him

That's so funny!

[Jack Olsen]

Yeah, it was a nice addition to the movie to have the early car at both the beginning of the story and the end. They spent a lot of time on it, but the lighting was so 'moody' that all I was able to make out was that it was an early car with the chrome trim accents that came before 1973.

In the TV trailer they edit things so that you think the Porsche is used in some high speed espionage escapes -- not the case.

Still, a pretty good movie.

[MBuck951]

Tony beat me to the post,

The cars are 912's. This was during a HPDC back in March or April. I remember at lunchtime I was leaving the paddock at the Jefferson Circuit to go over to the main Summit Point paddock, and was stopped by a lady in a Volvo. She was looking for an early car for this Redford movie filming in D.C. I'll take credit for directing her towards a certain green "911 looking" car.

Look for a PCA sticker in the drivers side quarter window, "Hollywood" said it stayed even though he had to remove all stickers for filiming.

[cegerer]

Damn internet. It makes finding stuff way too easy.

http://www.912registry.org/news.htm

http://www.eatel.net/~dslabat/movies.htm

[Jack Olsen]

I'll make it even easier:

[cegerer]

LOL!

[howie944]

The "Spider" movie someone mentioned is "Along Came A Spider". Morgan Freeman is driving the 911.

[john70t]

Was it a 356 speedster at the begining of "Highlander"?