For sale at auction: Lot #7003 - Documented, authentic, original 1955 Chevy movie car driven by singer James Taylor and Beach Boy Dennis Wilson in the iconic 1971 movie "Two-Lane Blacktop." This '55 is one of the three built by Richard Ruth for Universal Studios (two identical straight axle '55s and one stunt car) for "Two-Lane Blacktop." This particular '55 was used to film scenes inside the car, and brackets for some of the camera and recording gear used during filming are still visible on the car today. Only used in "Two-Lane Blacktop," it was sold to a studio mechanic shortly after filming was completed.
The car passed through several owners before it was located in Canada in 2000. The '55 was authenticated by Richard Ruth before it was brought back to the U.S. by "Two-Lane Blacktop" historian Walt Bailey for a combination restoration and preservation project with the help of Ruth.
Replacing only what was necessary while preserving as many original components as possible, the car was returned to its weathered, primer gray 1971 on-screen appearance. The car features the correct Ruth-built straight axle with coilovers, a tunnel-rammed 454, M-22 Muncie Rock Crusher 4-speed, '60s Olds posi-traction rear, a no-nonsense gasser-style black interior and still wears its custom built fiberglass front end, fiberglass doors with sliding windows and fiberglass trunk lid.
The "Two-Lane Blacktop" '55 has been featured in national car magazines, numerous national car shows and was displayed at the Smithsonian Institution to inaugurate an exhibit on Route 66.
In 2009, James Taylor was reunited with the car where it was featured at a concert, after which Taylor introduced and screened "Two-Lane Blacktop" for the audience. The "Two-Lane Blacktop" 1955 Chevy is street legal and comes with extensive documentation and restoration photos. **WILL BE SOLD AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00PM ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015**
