Here is my attempt to translate the article. See it as I have tried to pick the highlights of the article. (I did not have enough energy to translate page 5. Sorry!
Maybe I will do it a little bit later.)
The platform is Chrysler IX - normally used in Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger. The difference is that the wheelbase has been shortened with 4 inches, from 120" to 116". The chassie components and brakes are standard 300C-stuff. During the test drive, the 21"-rims have been swapped for a set of more functional 20"-rims. The throttle-valve openings on the hood are functional as opposite to the original Challenger hood intakes. The body and the hood are handmade of carbon fibre. The 6-speed gearbox comes from the Dodge Viper. The car is 2" wider than the original. The concept car weight is above 2 tons (2000kg) in spite of the fact that the body is made of super-light carbon fibre. The details are of the masculine kind; the centre console, the seats, the steeringwheel, everything is sturdy and manly. The rear seat is SPST - Short Passangers Short Travels.
There are four huge gauges in front of the driver, big as cylindres on a big machine and in front of them there is an enormous hood against a horizon of hopes. And there are no false hopes. Starting the Hemi engine immediately creates an invinsible force-field. The people around it unconsciously takes one step backwards.
The Challenger concept car is the first car where Chrysler have combined the Hemi engine with the Viper 6-speed gearbox. It feels like these two are buddies direct from the start. The clutch works smoothly but distinctly. The V8 signals a lot of torque but since it is a prototype, only half-throttle is allowed. It is enough. It is enough for me to believe in the 0-60 4.5 sec/280 km/h (about 175 mph?) figures. But more important than performance figures is the feeling. Kowalski would feel at home when he slide behind the three-spoke steeringwheel.
Why did Chrysler have doubts whether they should start series production or not? One consideration was the capacity in the Brompton factory in Ontario where the Chrysler IX cars are built. Hopefully no problems will arise - it is all about preventing the project from another Vanishing Point. The Challenger R/T concept is too good for that. It has got Super Soul in it´s genes.....
Barry Newman says that Vanishing Point is an "existence movie" (translation?
). Barry is now 67 years young. (He recently finished a movie called "Grilled" where he played against Burt Reynolds.) Already when he read the VP manuscript, he knew that Vanishing Point was more than a car-chase movie. Unfortunately, the US audience didn´t understand that back in 1971. It was first when it had been a great success in Europe, 20th Century Fox did a re-launch as a "double" together with French Connection. Ever since then Barry Newman has had the nickname Kowalski - and had to be challenged at the red-lights of Kowalski-wannabes regardless if he wanted it or not. Newmans career as an actor has been a little like a roller-coaster ride since Vanishing Point. During the seventies, he was a star in the tv-series "Petrocelli" but after that, he mostly have had smaller role carachters. (He was a part of "The Limey" in 1999). Barry Newman still have preserved love for the old Challenger. "It had so much horsepower, too much for the rest of the car. It nearly felt as if the car would raise when you floored the gas pedal with first gear in....." Barrys intrest for car driving grew bigger during the time VP was made. Newman did a lot of the driving himself under the supervision of the stunt-legend Carey Loftin. Carey was fantastic - we told him to roll the car four turns and then stop at a specific point. He just stared at us and said "Yep".
Newman is impressed by the new Challenger R/T concept car. It is delicious. The proportions are almost identical with the cars we used - the small quarter glass, the shape of the beltline - just fantastic! After a test drive he is even more impressed. "Wow, this car has POWER!"
And gimmicks from the seventies like the pistol grip shifter - even the seats feels right. Would he consider buying the new Challenger (he is currently driving a Porsche Boxster)? The answer is "absolutely!"
"The Challenger is sleek and slender." What does he think of the VP remake? "SHIT!" is the answer. It couldn´t have been said more clairly. He doesn´t exclude a new movie using the same theme, but it has to be a continuation of the first movie, and not a bad copy....
Before Barry says goodbye to the new Challenger he comments on the violent ending of the VP movie - Kowalski doesn´t commit suicide, he sees the small gap between the bulldozers, that is why he smiles the last time we see him. The movie audience understand that he will die, but Kowalski smiles because he thinks that there is a chance. He has seen an escape route...
Posted: 25 Dec 2006 21:43
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(I wish there were more smiley´s to select from. Jr? *joke*)
