In the movie American Graffiti, what kind of car did Ron Howard have and others?

Question

It looks boss, I think it's a chevy but not sure what year/model or what's under the hood? I think Toad says in the movie the cubic inch size and that it was a six cylinder? Also, is the Pharoahs 'chop top' a '32 Mercury? What a cool car that is too. Also the year Ford police car that had the rear end ripped out? Was that a Galaxy? Great movie. Pretty accurate too since I didn't see any mustangs in the movie. The movie was shot for circa '62 and the mustang came out in '64? I saw a '56 effie pickup (I'm restoring a '55 f100) a '60 white falcon station wagon (I have a '63) and a cool Edsel in the movie. Awesome cars, I wish I grew up in my Dad's time.

Answer 1

One of my favorite movies, released Aug1 1973.

In order of importance, 32 Ford 5 window, 58 Impala, 55 Chevy, Pharoah's 49 Merc, 56 Thunderbird, 58 Edsel Corsair, 54+ Studebaker, 61 Ford Police car, 50's Citroen, 50's Vespa

Candy Clark, Toad's girlfriend, makes the custom car show circuit signing autographed photos, I caught her in Solvang, Kustom Kemps show this year.

yes the Mustang came out in April of 64, to late for the Movie.

Some of the cars are available in diecast at stores and on ebay.com.

I noticed some answers correct up when the right answer get posted under them and then they have the nerve to give you a thumbs down.

30 minutes spent on research

Answer 2

OK Ron's car was a 58 impala with a 283
the yellow hot rod was a 32 ford with a small block Chevy motor..
the white t-bird was a 56
the cop car was a 62 galaxy..
and still cruses the good guys runs here in California

but the star was bob falfa's 55Chevy 210 sedan..
it is the same car that was used in the movie,
" two lane black top"..
here is a link on this car
http://groups.msn.com/twolaneblacktophomepage/_homepage.msnw?pgmarket=en-us
in American graffiti they never show the motor ..
that is because it was running a late 60's 427 with a tunnel ram and two 4's..

i have seen all of these cars..in person..
most were local cars ar the time the movie was made
here is a link discussing the cars in more detail
http://www.sonic.net/~tdn/movies/graffiti.html

by the way the chain around the axle will rip it out just as shown in the movie..( on that type of car )
to bad myth busters didn't use a leaf spring car..
when they tested the myth
who knows they might have gotten it right..
if they had a clue about cars

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
In the movie American Graffiti, what kind of car did Ron Howard have and others?
It looks boss, I think it's a chevy but not sure what year/model or what's under the hood? I think Toad says in the movie the cubic inch size and that it was a six cylinder? Also, is the Pharoahs 'chop top' a '32 Mercury? What a cool car that is too. Also the year Ford police...

Answer 4

Harrison Ford American Graffiti

Answer 5

the car ron howard used was a 58 chevy belair 2 dr hardtop . they came with a 283 v8 and they also offered a 348/ 409 v8. nope the merc was a 49 to 51 . it was a 61 galaxy. well to the last part of your question ,it was cool in that era. i was ten at the time but had an older brother who was 16 and was a fonz type to put it polite you know stealing hubcaps running around smoking and being chased home by the cops.

Answer 6

Ron Howard's car was a 1958 Chevrolet impala possible 348 cubic inch v8.i think the police car was a 1956 ford fairlane no galaxy was available to the sixties to the best of my knowledge but like you i wish i was around at that era, the Pharaohs car i cant remember been 12 years since seeing the movie. Harrison ford had a cool 55 Chevy but i cant remember all of the cars.wish i could help more. enjoy your restorations.

Answer 7

Ron Howard was driving a 1958 Chevrolet impala.....the cop car was a 1961 ford Galaxy......although the rear end rip out trick could not have happened as shown.....the drag race was between a 1932 ford deuce coupe [ hopped up] & a 1956 chevy belair [ also hopped up].....harrison ford drove the 56..& it did actually lose the race....susanne summer,s drove a 57 ford t-bird......yes....your right.....great time to be alive....but those day,s are gone for good.

Answer 8

Toad had a 58 impala...The yellow ford and the 55 chevy are both owned by the same person,,,A guy in s.f. bought the cars in the early 80,sI went to the american graffitti car show in petaluma this summer and saw the yellow ford and the T-Bird...Cindy was there and also the guy who was the leader of the Pharoahs...It was a hoot to see the auctual cars and stars from the movie...

Answer 9

ron howards car was a 58 chevy

Answer 10

yep and Suzanne Somers was driving a T-Bird. (the elusive blond)