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Forum ID: Moochie Chaser
CCC Member since: June 29, 2005
Location: Woodcrest, California, USA
Credits: Owner of the actual movie car used in the "Moochie chase" scene
I found my first car in my early teens taking a short cut to school, it was buried up past its door sills in dirt and overgrown grass in a backyard. I felt the need to climb the fence and go into the yard to check her out. She was a 1969 Pontiac rag top with a 400 engine and factory tri-power that had been damaged and forgotten long ago. After a couple years pestering the owner he finally sold her to me for 100 bucks. I experienced a lot of good times putting that old car together. I loved that car so much that it my friends nicknamed her "Christine" after the book. My auto shop teacher told me I should read it since I am so obsessed with my car :D I was already reading it and absolutely loved it and began my search for a 58 Plymouth 2 door hard top since I thought it was cooler looking at the time. After picking up some original Plymouth brochures from the swap meet I was in awe at the designer’s forward look creation. I could not find a 2 door hardtop anywhere: I guess I had a little competition with John Carpenter, :D . When Christine came out on film I was blown away at how it mimicked a bit of my life. The Pontiac I loved so much was vandalized in high school by a bunch of idiots. "Shitters" After seeing that awesome Plymouth I was quickly possessed by her! A new obsession was born.
Late summer of ‘83 I was a supervisor of a valet parking company I met the man who helped me later find Christine during an argument over parking in the hotel red zone. My valet had threatened to tow his vintage autos if he left them in the red. I quickly quelled the situation, introduced myself as the supervisor and allowed him to leave them there. This man was Al Newman of "Classic Wheels of Anaheim". They were in the classic car business, movies, restorations etc. Al was grateful that he invited me to his shop for a tour to see Eddie Munster's chain bicycle as well as the "Munsters" mobile they were working on. His shop was awesome, almost like Darnell's with old cars and parts everywhere. I asked him where I could get a 58 Plymouth 2 door hardtop. He laughed and said, "Christine fan huh"? Yes, to the extreme! We talked for a while about how he helped with some of the car coordination; they supplied a couple of the cars, including the one in Lebay's yard. By the way, that car was actually found like that. Hollywood did add their magic though. He mentioned that they were all to be crushed after filming but he would make some calls. A few weeks went by and I got a call from Al stating that he had found a 58 Plymouth. He said there was two of them. One had no engine and the front end was smashed and the other was also bad but running on its own power and I could have it for 900 dollars but it had to be flat bedded. I got to the bank to get the funds and paid for her. When I was paying Al he says, "Oh, did I mention it was one of the Christine cars from the film? Holy s%@ I shouted, no way! Another 2 hours go by and he told me about the car and what role it played in the film but he did not know the actual condition. I didn't care at that point.
Saturday came around and she was delivered. Oh my God! Was I ever shocked at the condition. There was no way I could ever get this car back together again. My parents were not too happy, :D . I went to Al’s and asked for help. It needs everything! What is with all the rubber moldings, braces and muscle 2 labels? "That was the # 2 stunt car used in the Moochie chase scene I told you about", “She's yours now”, Al says to me with a chuckle. Seeing the look of disappointment on my face he gave me the number to Bill and Ed’s auto wrecking and told me to give them a call. Make sure you let them know you bought a Christine Plymouth. That is where they all were sent to be scrapped after the film wrapped. I was there the next day and was allowed to roam the yard picking through wrecked Christine's. I picked up doubles, triples of everything I could. It was awesome. Aaron and John: I thank you for not taking everything. I could not afford to build a show car so I just put her back together as “Christine” and she became my daily driver through the early 90’s and was put into storage soon after. I only took her out once in a while but not often. I really never took her to any shows because no one really appreciated her. The “Offspring” band asked if they could use her in a video once and she made the cover as well. It was after seeing the Barrett Jackson promo “Christine” sell for 167,400 that I decided that she is finally appreciated and I should bring her out of hiding and back into the world. So that is my story. Back then nobody cared about this fine finned beauty, which made it easy for me to find parts. She was brought back to life using parts donated by her sacrificed sisters all for our enjoyment on the silver screen. I think, had it not been for this film, these cars would still be sitting in fields and barns rotting away to oblivion. “Christine” increased awareness of these finned Forward Look cars and stimulated huge interest all over the world. I am glad I kept her all these years and never parted with her.
By the way: I still have that Pontiac!
