Recommended car movies

I watched "The Racing Scene" last night. If you haven't seen it, its a documentary about James Garners racing team in 1969. It was about an hour and a half, focusing on the racing without much unnecessary drama. I really enjoyed it, but I really dig vintage racing stuff from that era. Another classic that the wife hates is "Two lane blacktop". I still want a primer black 55 chevy because of this movie. What obscure car movies do you guys recommend? Bonus points for stuff that is available on Amazon Prime.

Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry. American Graffiti. Highwaymen. The Gumball Rally. The Italian Job (old one). Roadhouse 66. Rush. Drive. The Driver. Death Race 2000. Senna. TT3D Closer to the Edge (motorcycles). On Any Sunday (motorcycles). Death Proof. Vanishing Point. Gone in 60 Seconds (old one). Le Mans. Grand Prix.

To gearhead: I've not seen The Racing Scene, but I was at Lime Rock for a race in 1969, I think it was an F5000 pro race, and Jim Garner and crew were there filming for the movie. I did get a chance to see him as he was walking out of the pit area into the paddock. Wow, that was almost 35 years ago. I don't even remember who won the race that day, but probably Sam Posey. That was his home track.

Thanks for reminding. I'll have to watch the movie.

I watched American Graffiti last night. It wasn't as good as my distorted memory of it thought it was.

bravenrace wrote: I watched American Graffiti last night. It wasn't as good as my distorted memory of it thought it was.

I hate to say it, but that's kind of how I was with bullitt, I remember it being a lot more exciting

Bullitt, Eat My Dust, California Kid, Corvette Summer, Duel,,,Not saying you'll like them, but they are out there.

Bullitt was only worth watching for the car chase with the charger imo.

I forgot about Duel, that's a great one.

Bullitt is eminently forgettable except for any scene with the Mustang in it. And I even like Steve McQueen as an actor.

Mad Max, duh

In response to bravenrace and nepa03focus, I think that's true of many if not most movies from the 60s and 70s. Movie production, acting, screenplay, etc. have come a long way in the past 40 years or so. Those older movies seem almost quaint now. As much as I liked McQueen in the day, looking back on the body of his work I realize that times have definitely changed.

Having said that, I still like re-watching Grand Prix and LeMans every couple years or so. Great "vintage" racing scenes. And it brings back memories of how blown away I was when I saw them the first time in-theater.

The new Need for Speed movie - seriously. Acting may not be so great but it's a good car movie.

Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)

The Junkman (1982) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0SrTEeSqM0

The Worlds Fastest Indian

Gran Prix

Bullitt

Anything Mad Max

Anything Death Race (new AND OLD!)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZLYEbkykCI

LeMans

Rush

Senna

Can-Am - A speed Odyssey http://www.canamfilm.com/ (I have it, I put it in for background a lot! Highly Recommend!)

Cannonball Run I & II (yeah yeah, Burt Reynolds)

Gumball Rally https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQcmR4RlEBk (Supreme recommendation)

I'm sure there is more I am not thinking of...

In reply to Apexcarver:

Like Smokey and the Bandit? Or Dukes of Hazzard (Ugh!)?

The Junk Man (full movie on the youtubes!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rX472Z38tQ

Same director/guy as Gone in 60, bad acting, utterly awesome car chase, holds the Guinness World Record for wrecking over 250 cars, trucks, motorcycles and planes in one movie

The chase is NUTS! (Even involves the Goodyear Blimp!)

In reply to Apexcarver:

"The Worlds Fastest Indian" is fantastic! Seriously, anyone who hasn't seen this should, even non-car people.

I've never seen The Junk Man, but its definitely going on my list. It looks like a hoot.

If you can get a hold of this, it's pretty cool from a documentary standpoint. The copy I have right now though is a European release only though.

Another couple of documentaries that have been mentioned here before are "Weekend of a Champion," with Jackie Stewart and "Love the Beast". Great vintage F1 footage in the first, and some excellent vintage stage rally in the latter.

Gary wrote: I've not seen The Racing Scene, but I was at Lime Rock for a race in 1969, ... Wow, that was almost 35 years ago.

[cough]45[/cough]

Not really a movie, but I enjoyed Racing the Rock, about Targa Newfoundland. It has nothing to do with the fact that the back of my head is briefly visible in one scene.

You need to see Wraith.

Dust to Glory.

Corvette Summer.

slantvaliant wrote:

Gary wrote: I've not seen The Racing Scene, but I was at Lime Rock for a race in 1969, ... Wow, that was almost 35 years ago.

[cough]45[/cough] Not really a movie, but I enjoyed Racing the Rock, about Targa Newfoundland. It has nothing to do with the fact that the back of my head is briefly visible in one scene.

I even got mine signed. Good movie.

Ronin.

It's by John Frankenheimer, so you know it's going to be good. And if you listen really closely in an early scene, you can hear Skipp Sudduth explaining to Natascha McElhone that he's going to need a nitrous system in the S8 he's asking for.

For the documentary side, toss in Truth in 24 and 50 Years Sideways

The Blues Brothers

McQ

Stealthtercel wrote: Ronin. It's by John Frankenheimer, so you know it's going to be good. And if you listen really closely in an early scene, you can hear Skipp Sudduth explaining to Natascha McElhone that he's going to need a nitrous system in the S8 he's asking for.

One of the best car chases ever.