Thomas Crown Nart Spyder in Octane 191

Heads up for anyone interested.

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Interesting - I must read the article (my copy has just arrived, as yet unopened) - but as far as I recall its role in the film was very limited. I don't think it was even seen in motion, was it? This is the car I shall always associate with that film - maybe a lot less valuable, but IMO just as cool:

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You are quite right, it does not get driven in the film....alas....

 

The car was rented/leased by LCM to the production company. Industrial designer(and NART affiliate)John Cuccio was its designated caretaker, I don't remember whether it was stipulated that only he could drive it or not?

 

1967 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Two-Door Sedan Coachwork by H J Mulliner #CRX2672
A master piece!

 

Roger Colson never mentioned that name -John Cuccio- to me. Roger is the Chinetti employee who dropped it off in Boston for the movie work and picked it up a few weeks later.

 

I'd like to see a comparison of the driving characteristics/dynamics/rigidity between one of the 2 alloy bodied 275 NART Spyders, as this car chassis number 09437 is (09751 the other), and a steel bodied version.

 

"one of those red Italian things"

which is now yellow..

 

Mario: That light yellow was in fact its original color which it had when raced at Sebring months before the movie. It was the movie production company that asked for the car to be painted dark red before it was delivered to them in Boston. It still had that color when tested by Road & Track and when sold to its actual first owner Norm Silver. Years later it was restored and put back in its original light yellow.

375+ What you say makes sense that there would be one person formally in charge of the car, standard procedure. There is no doubt that McQueen drove it at least once between scenes with or without permission from Chinetti, he wasn't too bothered by procedures and had just a little clout. Roger did not recall the mileage difference between before and after filming.

 

Giallo Solare 13478 MM.

Marcel Massini

 

The Windmills of Your Mind.

Matt

 

I have read the article now. Very interesting, though it does give rather more coverage to the TC connection than its relatively small part in the film would seem to justify.

I think its looks are overrated and I don't like that rather watery yellow colour, so I shan't be bidding!

 

Hi John,

Thanks glad you like it and yes the car's presence is sadly very limited in the film but very important nonetheless as I explain in the text.

And before you start a rumor -you are watching too many grid girls me thinks;-)- no the car absolutely won't be for sale, in fact my focus was doing an article on another car in the same collection (an iconic racing car, not a Ferrari) for which the owner gave his agreement to me in Monaco during the Historic GP last May. The idea of driving the Nart spyder, also iconic to me, only came months later, in July I think, since logistically it made sense to grab the chance and do it during the same trip, which took a lot of preparing with the Fellini Fantuzzi part of the same unforgettable voyage.

 

Yes, I did - I found the history of the car absolutely fascinating, particularly the early part. I realise that the colour is as original, but it looks much better in the dark shade of red they painted it for the film. I imagine I am in a small minority in not admiring its aesthetics, colour aside, but to me it looks too much like an afterthought, a chopped berlinetta, and the kicked up tail doesn't work for me on a convertible in just the same way as it doesn't on the later DB6 volante compared to the DB5 volante.

Can we have an article on Thomas Crown's R-R next, please?

 

Steve McQueen was obviously smitten with 09437; shortly after filming concluded he and his wife placed an order for 10453.

 

I would second that as you can never have too much of old " TC 100 " at this late date!

 

Which one of his got rear ended and was repainted by Junior? Dark Blue?
Ali MacGraw still looks great in New Mexico...

 

10453.

 

Thank you Steve; is there anything you don't know?

 

10453, he never owned 09437, just drove it a bit off camera during filming breaks. He did not own 10453 very long according to what his son Chad told me.
I would not be the one for a Rolls article not my thing but good idea.

 

There's lots I don't know. Unfortunately!

 

Marc,

I read the article a few days ago but didn't notice it was you that had written it. Congratulations!!! It is very informative and enjoyable to read.

Kind regards,

Steve.

 

Thank you Steve it was a privilege to do this, a major career highlight and it was as surreal to drive it as when I drove out of pitlane in the Breadvan at Le Mans Classic 11 years ago!

 

My Octane hasn't landed here yet, but I saw the car in the Sheltons' showroom maybe 20 years ago. Did it belong to Jim Jaeger back then? As I recall it had the Sinclair logo pit board from Sebring in the boot.

 

Jim never owned 9437. He still owns 10139.