Buick Invicta via The French Connection

[1972coronet]

Everyone's seen the classic 1971 film adaptation of the gripping 1968 novel The French Connection  - but how many have seen the actual car from the actual bust ? Well, here's some pics of it - 1960 Invicta - and one of its pilots, Jacques Angelvin, seen here asking the escorting officer , "Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick ?" 

[bobss396]

The book did a great job of explaining the car, the movie, not even close since they used a Lincoln. AND the cops tore the car down to bare parts and got it back together in the movie. 

In the book, they even had a jar of local French mud to disguise the hardware they had to access for the stash hidden in the car underside.

[NYLIBUD]

41 minutes ago, bobss396 said:

The book did a great job of explaining the car, the movie, not even close since they used a Lincoln. AND the cops tore the car down to bare parts and got it back together in the movie. 

In the book, they even had a jar of local French mud to disguise the hardware they had to access for the stash hidden in the car underside.

I have to say that The French Connection is one of my favorite books,and films.Since I was always a huge fan of Roy Scheider,ever since seeing him in (The 7Ups).And yea,of course it was absolutely ridiculous that they completely tore down the Lincoln,and put it all back together so quickly.I mean they even drained the cars fluids.We are forced to kinda look the other way,because it was such a great film.After all,it Got best picture.But these photos are pretty cool.Thanks for the info.?And anyway,IMO,the real “star” car has to be the 71 LeMans.lol..It’s weird,I always thought i knew everything about that famous chase scene,since I’ve watched it a million times.But the top picture is actually a real accident that happened during the filming of the chase,because a man was driving to work,and accidentally somehow drove onto the set,and happened to collide with the Lemans.After-all,the producers never got permission or the permits to film the chase,which was filmed under the EL in Brooklyn.No one was really injured,so they left it in the movie.Hmm?Anyway,stunt man,Bill Hickman(Bullitt,7Ups) did most of the driving.

 

[1972coronet]

I'm not sure it'd be possible to make a truer-to-the-novel film without it being almost 3 hours in duration. 

I've been a fan of the movie since I was 10 (1980). As an adult, I love it even more ! A ficitonalised screenplay was the only way to go, really. Remarkable job the entire crew did in pulling off the non-stop action !

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've never seen the film, somehow.   Guess I need to remedy that.

Kinda lusting after a 2-door kit of that body style too now. 

[Rob Hall]

Great movie..didn't realize it was based on a book.  The sequel was good also...Gene Hackman was always one of my favorite movie tough guys.

[TonyK]

Gene Hackman is good in every movie he's in. The French Connection was always a favorite of mine. They did a great job of immersing me into the movie and the characters of Hackman and Scheider. And they made me hate Frog 1.

[NYLIBUD]

23 hours ago, TonyK said:

Gene Hackman is good in every movie he's in. The French Connection was always a favorite of mine. They did a great job of immersing me into the movie and the characters of Hackman and Scheider. And they made me hate Frog 1.

Ah see now you got me started.?Gotta be one of the BEST movies of all time.And my God if i had a nickel for every time i watched that chase,id be rich.And it just always gets better.Yea there was good old stunt driver,Mr.Wild Bill Hickman at the wheel.Gene Hackman did some of the driving too though,gotta give him credit..It got 5 Oscars.Not as many as the God father sagas,but that ain’t bad..And Ace,that’s like saying you never saw Godfather 1,&2.?‍♂️?‍♂️??.Yea,try to catch it,Imo,the second one fell a little short.Watch the 7Ups,It’s much better than the sequel.Sorry,I’m rambling.?
 

Edited February 1, 2024 by NYLIBUD

[Ace-Garageguy]

2 minutes ago, NYLIBUD said:

...And Ace,that’s like saying you never saw Godfather 1,&2.?‍♂️?‍♂️??.Yea,try to catch it,Imo,the second one fell a little short.Watch the 7Ups,It’s much better than the sequel.Sorry,I’m rambling.?

Ummm...you got me there too. I wasn't much of a movie-goer when they were current, and I just never got around to 'em.

I DID catch 7Ups on YT not too long ago though. Good flick.   

[Rob Hall]

Oh, yeah French Connection and Seven-Ups are good crime and car chase movies.  Saw them first as a teenager in the 80s.  If they aren't too grainy they would probably look good on my modern 65 inch HDTV.   Have to watch them again, probably been 20 years since I've seen either...

[ChrisBcritter]

Just found out yesterday that this is also Bill Hickman at work, this time subbing for George C. Scott:

Two identical '66 Valiant convertibles were smashed up making this scene 

Edited January 31, 2024 by ChrisBcritter

[Rob Hall]

Hickman is also known for being the driver of the Charger in Bullitt. 

[von Zipper]

The Buick from the real French Connection you posted reminds me of the Buick LeSabre from Fast Times at Ridgemont High . They could make a model series from that movie , 

a 1960 Buick , a green Gremlin an old VW bus a silver Z28 ect besides alot of cool cars/trucks in the background 

Loved the clip from the Flim Flam Man ! 

[1972coronet]

Bill Hickman also acted in Bullitt , French Connection, and Seven-Ups :

- Hitman in Bullitt 

- FBI Agent Bill Mulderig in French Connection 

- "Bo" in Seven-Ups

Sonny "Cloudy" Grosso was behind the latter, in addition to having a small role in the film. 

[Rob Hall]

8 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

Bill Hickman also acted in Bullitt , French Connection, and Seven-Ups :

- Hitman in Bullitt 

- FBI Agent Bill Mulderig in French Connection 

- "Bo" in Seven-Ups

Sonny "Cloudy" Grosso was behind the latter, in addition to having a small role in the film. 

Hickman was also in Patton as Patton's Jeep driver. 

[1972coronet]

2 minutes ago, Rob Hall said:

Hickman was also in Patton as Patton's Jeep driver. 

My dad just mentioned that to me ;  I was unaware of that.

I only 'itemised' the films which I'm familiar with (I've seen Patton, but that was many years ago). 

[Rob Hall]

4 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

My dad just mentioned that to me ;  I was unaware of that.

I only 'itemised' the films which I'm familiar with (I've seen Patton, but that was many years ago). 

That I remembered...my Dad loved that movie, I watched it with him several times 30-40 years ago..