Dodge on TV Film - Bluesmobile Edition - 1974 Dodge Monaco
The year is 1980 and “Joliet” Jake just finished a stint at the Cook County prison of the same name. He is greeted at the prison doors by brother Elwood, loose change and a used prophylactic in his pocket, a mission from God to “get the band back together” and a 1974 Dodge Monaco Police Cruiser. Sure, the cigarette lighter may not work, but between these two Blues Brothers and a Dodge, their world would be changed forever.
‘Joliet’ Jake (John Belushi) and brother Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd)
The Blues Brothers, one of the pivotal films of the 1980’s, is a classic musical-comedy starring a hat and sunglass wearing duo of (the funny) Belushi and Aykroyd as singing siblings on a quest to save their beloved childhood home - St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage. Backing up these legends is a 1974 Dodge Monaco, third star of this feature. A definitive car from film history, there were eleven Monaco’s used in chase scenes, and a twelfth built to only fall apart in front of the Cook County Accessors Office. All replica Bluesmobiles in the film were modified with “cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks” etc. Of course, the 440 cubic engine was also standard on every stunt car.
1974 Dodge Monaco aka The Bluesmobile - bought by Elwood after the original Bluesmobile was traded in for a microphone.
Director John Landis has been quoted as saying the Bluesmobile is “a magic car” when asked about the amazing jumps and crashes that would turn any regular automobile to scrap. There’s no doubt that the Monaco has been touched by God - however, in an extended scene Elwood drives the Monaco to a Chicago Transit Authority transformer station, where it is eerily “charged up” by two power generators.
“It’s got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks.”
The Bluesmobile was not only trouble on screen but in real life. During production, an unnamed actor was driving the vehicle on Interstate 80 to Spring Valley, Illinois. They were pulled over and arrested for having no registration since the car’s plate was a prop. “Unknown” driver was released after making phone calls to Universal, and it’s rumored crew members were more concerned about the automobile’s return than the actors.
“It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses.”
The Monaco was a popular police cruiser during the 1970’s and 80’s. Many of these recognizable vehicles were used (and demolished during car chases) throughout filming. At the time of it’s release The Blues Brothers held a Hollywood record for most crashes ever filmed. Today, there are dozens of replicas built and maintained by film enthusiasts. According to IMDB.com the original stunt car used in the movie is owned by Dan Ackroyd’s brother-in-law.
…he should watch out for Carrie Fisher.
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