Blade's car.. 1968 Charger suspension question.

[K9COP]

Hi again guys, I originally sourced a '68 to build a Blade replica, but having seen several of the 'primer black' or 'hotrod black' cars in the 'readers rides' thread, I've changed my mind, and am going to express more of myself with the car. HOWEVER when I watch the movie Blade, when the car is first transporting the girl back to the base, the front end of the rear springs looks unattached to the car. I can't see how this would work, or what it does, but I've watched it over and over. Any ideas?

Will try to get a screen shot of no one gets what I mean..

Paul

[Ghoste]

It's not a traction bar flopping around under there is it?

[K9COP]

ER, not sure what that is, but no, I'm sure it's the front of the leaf spring..

[Ghoste]

A traction bar is a length of steel tube that connects to the rear axle and extends forward.  Under hard acceleration, the idea is that the front of the bar will rise up and strike the bottom of the leaf spring and hold the axle steady thereby preventing wheelhop.

[Ghoste]

The Charger used in Blade belongs to a member here btw.  If you do a search for the Blade Charger it should turn up all kinds of pics.

[K9COP]

No shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!!!!! How cool is that. Do you know who? Wow. Hang on, I'll get a screen shot.. see what you think. What an awesome site.

[Ghoste]

Here's a link to a good thread.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,14374.0.html

I just checked and it's definitely a traction bar.  I think the owner goes by blade for a user name.

[K9COP]

Thanks, what is a traction bar please?

[Ghoste]

blade trinity was the members name.  It looks as though he may have sold the car last year though.

If you go to that link I posted, about three pics down you will see a side shot of that car.  The thing hanging below the leaf spring is the traction bar.  It's function is as I mentioned above and it's purpose is to try to keep the axle from bouncing around under hard acceleration and losing traction.

[K9COP]

That's the very thing. Thank you Sir. I missed your reply with the function, got it now. What a cool look for the Charger, just not sure it's a very 'durable' look if you knwo what I mean, or if you'd get bored with it. Love to find the oiriginal car though. they must have built several, as there's quite a dynamic chase section in the thrid film, which is called 'trinity'.

Thanks very much, Paul

[Ghoste]

You're probably right, I think it's a bit of a rarity in Hollywood to use a single vehicle anytime it's seen frequently throughout a film.  I'm pretty sure the one that was around here was a primary one though.  I think it may have been used in some other stuff too.  Stretching my memory a bit now.

[K9COP]

Thanks for all your help. It would be nice to see it sometime. I always wondered what happens to the 'ex-film' cars. I know the General Lees make silly money, but there must be opportunities  to own other ex film stuff.. I often wondered what happened to the wrecked mongrel Charger from the Fast and the Furious..

[Ghoste]

Just use that search function at the top of the page my friend.  I forget where the F&F car is now, but I know it's been extensively discussed here.

[K9COP]

Thanks again. It's sites like this with knowledgeable members like you that make the leap to own a car older than I am less scary. Thanks.

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

i personally saw all the blade chargers used in blade trinity , my friend built the engine for the hero car and ive been for a ride in it, also the paint is black epoxy primer

[K9COP]

Cool, how many were there, and how did they do the flaming exhausts? Just gas injection at the tips? I like the six headlights too..

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

there were 3 chargers used, propane injection for blue flames out back,4 fog lights in the grille,6-pack scoop with grille screen in it , american racing outlaw 1 rims

[mikepmcs]

Cool, how many were there, and how did they do the flaming exhausts? Just gas injection at the tips? I like the six headlights too..

http://www.hackaday.com/2006/03/03/exhaust-flame-throwers/

http://www.tnga.org.nyud.net:8090/Tech/flame_throwers.htm

here you go for a quick version.

v/r
Mike

[mikepmcs]

Here's old school.   Couldn't you just take a wire tapped on to the #1 spark wire and run it out back and the unburned gas would ignite off the spark generated from said wire.

v/r
Mike

[myk]

The NOS system in that chase scene was supposed to be announced by a brief flame at the tips, so placing a wire from the spark plugs would keep the flame ignited constantly, wouldn't it?  Ah who cares, dumb movie anyway...

[Blakcharger440]

It was a great movie with awesome sequels but I didnt like the flames.