Model T goes to the movies
1927 FORD MODEL T
MARK DIXON
SO THERE I WAS, on set with George Clooney... Of course, as a humble 'extra' (I can't get used to the modern term 'supporting artist') I didn't dare speak to the great man, but it was still one of the more surreal experiences of my life. Especially since the set represented a street in 1930s Washington State, but we were actually in a disused quarry near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
I was dressed up as the driver of an old sedan, part of the background for a scene involving the film's star and his girlfriend, and was required to make leisurely circuits around the block while trying not to run over any pedestrian extras. Sorry, supporting artists.'
The movie is called The Boys in the Boat and is based on a true story of how an impoverished young man, Joe Rantz - played by British actor Callum Turner - became part of the USA's rowing team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It was directed by George Clooney, filmed mostly in the UK, and I got the chance to take part thanks to my mate Richard Rimmer, whose own Ford Model T had been hired for one of the earlier scenes.
The film-makers needed more 1920s American cars and Richard kindly suggested me to the action-vehicle chief Marek Oyrzynski, whose movie roll call extends to multiple Bonds and beyond. I duly trailered the 'T' down to Cirencester, where it was to be used as a static prop on another set: this one the shanty town where Rantz is living when he takes up rowing. The car was needed for three days, for each of which I'd be paid a rate that seemed almost embarrassingly generous. Because my 'T' is right-hand-drive, a large tarpaulin was strategically draped over the cockpit, and the car's care-worn appearance suited its backdrop down to, well, a 'T!
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 250 - April 2024 من Octane.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 250 - April 2024 من Octane.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Nathalie McGloin
The only female tetraplegic racing driver in the world and co-founder of Spinal Track, charity supporting disabled drivers
Atomium
An iron molecule, 100m tall and scaled-up 165billion times, was the future in ’58
The Valjoux 7750
Rendered obsolete in the late 1970s, Edmond Capt's wonder movement is not only back, but selling 200,000 units a year
Lucy O'Reilly Schell
The first American woman to compete in a Grand Prix was also a distinguished rally driver and team owner
OCTANE CARS
OWNING+ DRIVING + MAINTAINING
OUR MAN IN JAPAN
James Elliott joins an exclusive Japanese classic tour in an exquisite Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato 1600
LONG-TERM LEGENDS
These two SS100 Jaguars have been in the hands of well-known and dedicated enthusiasts for five decades and more. Chris Mann divulges their entertaining histories
Micky Pople
Octane meets the 95-year-old and talks about his life with the stars as one of Bristol's Filton Fliers'
LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE
The René Bonnet Djet was the world's first mid-engined production road car. Glen Waddington enjoys a momentous French Lotus rival
BACK AGAIN FOR MORE
This Le Mans-winning Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato Spider appeared in the very first issue of Octane. More than 20 years on, Robert Coucher acquaints himself and finally gets behind the wheel