Differences Between Cars / Scenes
There are several details/changes done to the LeMans that help derive its filming schedule. The details/changes to look for include:
- Busted mirror
- Short / Tall B-pillar
- Busted front headlight
- Non factory front seat
- CB radio installed
Roof Off
09/13/1976 - Helen, GA
(Per Schedule)
The roofless LeMans was first used while filming in Helen, GA. Here the door gets taken off by the trucker ploclaiming: "Banzai". It appears this stunt was prepared by using bolts designed to sheer off between the door hinges and the door.
At this point the roof was removed with a saw. It doesn't drive under the beam for a few more days.
You can recognize it as the only roofless LeMans with interior quarter trim sticking up like shark fins. It is also the only roofless LeMans without a busted headlight and grille.
09/17/1976 - Lithonia, GA
(Confirmed)
The next time the roofless LeMans is used we can see a few changes. The interior quarter trim panels were removed, we can see the headlight/grille damage and the door has been replaced. Note the the rear view mirror appears to be in good condition.
The scenes that are filmed are the Funeral Procession, the football field and the "Dirt Road" chase. We were able to confirm the filming date because it was filmed on the same date as the football field jump (0.8 miles from the funeral procession) and we know the exact date of the football field jump.
09/17/1976 - Unknown
(Best Guess)
We are not sure of the exact location of these scenes, but based on the condition of the rear view mirror we are going to say they were filmed prior to the Union 76 station
09/18/1976 - Duluth, GA
(Best guess)
This scene was filmed next based on the condition of the rear view mirror. Prior to this the mirror was fine, now it is broken from its base and hanging by its adjusting cables.
09/20/1976 - Jonesboro, GA
(Best guess)
At this point the LeMans was taken over to Baird and Trivette Racing, the company that was hired to prepare the stunt cars. The roof was reattached and the car was then prepared to have its roof knocked off by driving under the beam.
It was fitted with a special front seat that was designed to recline using hydraulics so that the passenger could lean back and the driver would lay over into his lap while the car passed under the beam, taking off the roof.
One other modification was made. The B-pillar on the driver's side was cut too tall to clear the beam so it had to be shortened. This created a piece of B-pillar that you can see flying loose when the roof is sheered off.
09/21/1976 - Unknown
(Best guess)
This filler scene was filmed next. It is the last time the door is installed. It is removed for the next scene. Having the door installed at this point is technically a continuity error. However, most people wont notice.
When the car goes over the bump you can see lose pieces of glass bouncing around in the package tray.
09/22/1976 - Jonesboro, GA
(Best guess)
We know that this scene was filmed next because the door is removed (again). This time with a wrench!
These back to back scenes were both filmed in Jonesboro, but a couple of miles apart. The car remains consistent between locations.
This is the first time we see the CB radio installed in the car with a Pace 10-4U scanner, recognizable by its red tipped antenna.
For the first time you can also see the non factory front seat. This was the custom seat that was installed for the "Beam rips roof" stunt.
09/28/1976 - Lakewood Fairgrounds
(Confirmed)
This is the last time the car is filmed in Georgia, which is also the last scenes of the movie.
The non factory front seat is still installed, but the original seat cover was slipped over it. It does not fit very well which makes the ad hock modification more noticeable.
The last modifications/changes to the car include; the rear RH door falls off, the trunk lid falls off, the RH front tire comes off...and happens to roll into pre-famous Dukes of Hazzard star, John Schneider.
