The Real Interceptor

Post by **intercooled** » Tue May 21, 2002 7:46 pm

Just to let you know I was in Keswick on Sunday last and went to see the real Interceptor.

It is still looking very good. The paint is cracking where the droop snoot joins the front wing/fender, and it has awfully small front wheels and tyres. (I could not see what the tyre size was).

There seems to be some sort of mount up by the front passenger pillar, possibly for a camera, and it only has one seat in it, which is very torn. Also, there is a Winchester type rifle/carbine mounted on the stripped drivers door, mounted upside down, with butt to the front, and above a brown leather door strap to pull the door closed.

Knowing that the museum hire out their cars, my girlfriend and I asked the lady at the door if they ever hired out the Mad Max car. No, she said, too valuable. Does it still run ? Not been started in five years, she said.

All the best

Post by **PursuitSpecial** » Wed May 22, 2002 7:06 pm

They should start the car and move it back and forth at least a couple times a month! I emailed them about restoring the car to original MM1 specs (like changing the headlight covers, and giving the car back its gloss/satin finish instead of all gloss) but with the original MM2 fuel tanks, and they said no, the restoration of how it is now is an important part of the cars history, and they don't want to change that. Sounds to me kind of like those guys who bought their first car in the '60s (like a '69 Hemi GTX, or for you ford guys a '69 Torino Talladaga) and something broke and it has too much sentimental value to sell, but they don't want to restore it, and so they let it sit.

-Jon

Post by **Intceptbuilder** » Thu May 23, 2002 2:03 am

Hi.

It did run when they installed it to the museum, they started it in the carpark.

The fuel will now be stuffed I should think, the tank will most likely be stuffed as well, because fuel grows bacteria like slime once it goes off.

If you bolted on a fesh carbie, perhaps fuel pump and ran the fuel from a jerry can or similar it would still start and run I would think.

Gordon

Post by **THeChosen1** » Thu May 23, 2002 5:21 am

That is sad to see.. Having our Aussie made car sitting in a Museum in the middle of no where in another bloody Country. They did not help with the movies.. So i think we should get some bloody rich bugger to buy the car bring it back to Oz and atleast get it going again. Its OUR car..But the truth is..Money talks..BRING IT HOME is what i say!!

Post by **PursuitSpecial** » Thu May 23, 2002 6:52 am

Hey Gordon/Grant,

Have you guys ever thought about making a replica of the real interceptor how it sits now??

-Jon

Post by **intercooled** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:29 pm

Yes, it is a shame. We thought it ran and were quite disappointed.

Post by **AdrianUK** » Thu May 23, 2002 8:10 pm

In reply to THeChosen 1,

Just to calm your anger over the location of the interceptor in our cold and miserable country, the owner of the museum said in an interview i read that he would like to see the car returned one day to it's country of origin,

he never said which day that would be

us fans here in the UK reckon it's in the best place.

Post by **THeChosen1** » Fri May 24, 2002 12:48 am

i think Oz is the best place for the Interceptor..Best place for ANY Aussie car.

Post by **Anklecranker** » Fri May 24, 2002 3:44 pm

"Seat torn? Paint cracking? Small wheels and tyres? Wrong paint? I heard the guy responsible for the resto spent about $25000. This had to be an exaggeration.

Leavng the real Interceptor in that condition would be like painting the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Sydney Opra House, or Big Ben red and saying "Lets just leave it... Its a part of the history" Was the lady conscious when she was speaking?

Post by **squeezer** » Fri May 24, 2002 5:13 pm

I can certainly understand how some of the Aussies feel. I've admired that car since I saw the first movie as a boy. But from all you've said in this forum and posted on the web just bringing it back ain't enough. You see, in my mind, that car is like a caged Wolf. Wolves should run free.

If someone does bring it back I hope those of you who live in Oz will lobby the Govt to change those laws that prevent the Interceptor from being able to roam the wastelands like it was meant to. I know. I know. Never gonna happen but the truth is those laws don't address the fact that you can build a truly dangerously fast car that the Bronze would ONLY notice as it ripped their doors off and disappeared over the horizon.

As I remember it, there's more of a danger from matches and little boys than all of You Rabid Car builders. The Police should have better things to do than raise taxes on you for a Blower, Wide Tires or Zoomies. I say you ought to take it to them! It's time You declared Your Love of Freedom, Take Back Your Roads and Free The Interceptor! After all, It's YOUR CAR and You better believe You paid and will continue to pay for the Roads and the Bronze.

Oh, and one more thing. If there was even a car that should be BANNED from the Roads in any Country; it's the SUV and Minivan. If you want to own and drive one that's fine but you should be required to have an Endorsement for Driving an Eighteen Wheeler and you should have to pay an extra $1000.00 per year for the privelige of driving too slow and blocking the view. As God is My Witness, those vehicles lower the awareness and intelligence of their operators.

OK. I feel better now. But I am serious 'bout the Interceptor being able to Roam Free.