StarCar phenomonon, dubbed “Carsplay” goes global!

One last blog for 2015, an end of the year wrap up!  Nate Truman’s StarCarCentral.com was started around the turn of this centurty, and has been growing in leaps and bounds every year.  From a single 66 Adam West Style batmobile, the idea of building, sharing and driving iconic movie and TV vehicles has grown to include StarCarCentral members around the globe.

In the early years of the hobby, people would fall in love with a famous ride, and the lucky few would buy a piece of movie history from the studios.  A few Herbie the Love Bugs, a handful of General Lee’s from Dukes of Hazzard and a Barris replica batmobile were in private hands.  Occasionally a short lived star car museum would open up for a while, then close down a year or two later.  The cars would be put in storage, or scattered around.  George Barris was kean on keeping track of all the famous cars, both the ones he had a hand in building, and anything else that had been on the screen and caught the public’s eye.   A couple of big auctions at his Barris’ Kustoms city and at the Peterson, gathered together for a brief time star cars from all walks of media and entertainment in the 1970’s and 1990’s.

If you didn’t get to the museum in Hollywood, or go to these simi-secret auctions that only movie car guys knew about, you would never have a chance to see more than one famous car together.

A few years down the road, fans started gathering for reunions.  The biggest of these was “Dukesfest” that happened for several years, and rows of repainted Challengers gathered together.  Some other famous cars would show up as well for a group photo.  Then interest waned and the shows stopped.  Now a new “Fanfest” has been reborn.

Knight Rider fans also banded together and with the help of this new thing “The Internet” started finding other owners of Knight Rider KITT cars.  Rob Louisell, Mark’s Customs, Jay Ohrburg, sold fiberglass parts and the fans constantly improved the interior electronics and helped each other find rare parts to get their dream ride on the road.  A few gatherings of Knight Riders happened as well.  

With the advent of the world Wide Web, every individual star car fan found a home to swap stories and ideas with other owners and fans.  There is a Herbie page,  lots of Knight Rider pages, 1966batmobile.com, basically there is a fan page for every famous movie and TV car that you can think of!

Even though Nate Truman had been tracking and finding screen used movie and TV cars since the 70’s, it wasn’t until 2003 at Crusin for a Cure that Nate finally decided to make his idea a reality.  “Let’s put them all in a pile, and play with them!” So over the last 12 years Nate has collected, connected, and introduced all the star car fans to each other!  It wasn’t easy, as many owners thought that their special car was cool, but didn’t want to park or do events with lots of “vehicular Unicorns”.    But Nate knew that seeing one amazing rare car out in “the wild” was amazing – seeing a HERD of them was mind blowing!  So out of that little new idea, and lots of detective work, Nate Truman’s StarCarCentral.com has become the hub where all the starcars can play together for good.  Hundreds of charity events, police, fire, Autism, Make-A-Wish, Pediatric Cancer Survivors, etc. have been able to include a display of famous movie and TV cars never seen before in public. The first “Carsplay” panel at Long Beach Comic Con happened this year and Nate and his team outlined the history of the hobby, and where it’s headed.

So as a cap to 2015, Nate organized his lineup to set a new record.  The most famous movie and TV cars in a single parade.  Over 40 cars appeared in the 2015 Hollywood Christmas parade!  It was a driving, rolling star car museum – brought together for just a few hours, and then disappeared into the night!  A big thanks to all the fans, owners, restorers, historians, and bloggers who have helped the star car hobby grow, and make new friends around the world!   Here’s the Star Car Central video of all the cars on the red carpet in the 2015 Hollywood Christmas Parade!  We have another 20 cars that could have been included, but we were just TOO big!  2015 Nate Truman’s Star Car Central.com Hollywood Christmas parade

So come join the fun in 2016, bigger and better!  Email Nate@starcarcentral.com or info@starcarcentral.com if you have a famous on screen ride!  With chapters across the United States and around the world, get your toy out and drive it!

 

Star Car Central, around the globe!

Well even though I invented the word “Crossgeeking” to discribe those fans who like more than one fan favorite item from two different worlds  (like “Herbie the Love Bug” and speaking Klingon)  I am certainly not the only star car fan who realized that the only thing better than seeing a famous movie or TV car driving down the street, is a whole bunch of them!

The loose coalition of StarCarCentral.com chapters continues to grow and meet all around the globe!

Here’s what’s going on around the world, in the world of StarCar get togethers, that is!

AUSTRALIA!

Alex has the heart to get a group going Down Under,  he says that the main 3 focuses will be for those who want to hire a car, A social group of like minded a little crazy movie car enthusiats, and helping out with Charities as much as they can. 🙂
Australian Chapter is looking for Founding members, so if you have a movie or TV star car, send Alex an email info@starcarsaus.com.au

NATE TRUMAN’S STARCARCENTRAL.COM ON THE RED CARPET FOR THE 2011 HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE!

FRANCE!!!

In France Claude heads up an active chapter of his own, doing all of the hard work to organize weekend events.  Star Car owners from France and near by countries have had several great get togethers in the last few years, and they have another one coming up!  If you are in France why not stop by and join in the fun!

Here’s the info:

Just under two months before the Meeting of Cars stars of Cinema & TV in Port Dienville (France).
Like last year, the lodging of Colombier welcomes us but with a little fewer rooms. We will complete with homestay but with limited possibilities.
So I need to know soon if some of you are planning to join us during the two days (Saturday 21 and Sunday, July 22) that we may organize the reception at best. Of course I know it’s difficult for those who have anocean to cross ! I remind you that the home is offered for maximum 2 persons per crew.

Here is the provisional program :

Saturday, July 21
– Appointment from 10:00 (location to be defined according to the planned activity in the afternoon but it will be in the Lake District or region of Bar sur Aube)
– 12:00: Picnic at the place of Rendez-Vous
– 1:00 p.m.: Shooting a short film with our cars featured. For its 10 years anniversary, the site http://www.retourverslefutur.com/  in collaboration with McFly Prod and 10200 Z’Images launched a screenplay competition on the theme of movie cars. After selection, the winning scenario is being re-write. We will send you as soon as it will be ready.
IMPORTNANT: for this shoot, we also need to know what are the vehicles that will be present (organization, insurance, license)
– 7:00 p.m.: Appointment at Colombier for a festive and friendly presentation of the cars to the public. Buffet on site.

Sunday, July 22
– 10:00 Appointment with clubs and other owners (location will be specified later) then trek to Port Dienville (road book supplied). Besides, if you belong to a club, feel free to invite members on Sunday. The registration form will be posted on our web site soon and I will send you a pdf version to share.
– Arrival at Port Dienville between 11:00 and 12:00. We anticipate a grouped arrival of the cars of Cinema & TV for the show !
– 12:00: Lunch in Port-Dienville
– From 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.: exhibition of cars (Cinema, collection, exception) on the site of Port-Dienville (if it’s sunny and hot, nearby beach and swimming possible for people who appreciate)
– 3:00 p.m.: Parade of cars stars

HOLLAND!!!

Dutch Dukes Cars Meeting

We had a little meeting  in Holland well, technically it was in Belgium ’cause it was like 2 miles across the border

convention for movie cars here in Belgium Bruges on the weekend of 6.7.and 8 september 2013 ,here you have the link to the page made http://www.facebook.com/groups/362397297148643/movie cars convention  in Bruges next year .  the weekend of 6, 7, and 8 september 2013 .on sunday 8 september i will organize even a meeting with all american cars , ihope you can all jon us .Please don’t add people from he U.S. or Ausralia or japan because those people won’t come !!this convention is specialy for people from Europe !!! this would be for a hole weekend from friday until sunday ,hotel will be arranged and parkings for your cars too,

http://www.motionpicturecars.net/

Nate Truman’s StarCarCentral.com gang were invited to be a part of the “Hollywood Treasures” TV show where Nate and Ken from TMPCC helped the staff and stars of the show locate the screen used Camaro from the first Transformers movie, SCC member Randy drove it in with the “seat suit” to hide the driver, so it looked like it was just driving itself.  Randy also brought it out for the Drag races in Barona, CA.

Charger Steve from the San Diego Chapter of StarCarCentral.com put on a great event with cars from Nate’s group going up against the San Diego area movie and TV car owners,  for a long fun day of StarCar Drag Racing!!!

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Nate Truman’s Shaguar, vs Alex’s KITT from Knight Rider CLICK ON LINK TO WATCH!

So the days of me hunting around the world for other fans with little result, has changed quite a bit!  Spend some time and look around facebook, or google for events happening near you.  I am sure after a while you will start connecting with other movie and TV starcar fans and find they are a lot of fun to hang out with, and of course, DRIVE those cool cars!

Crossgeeking at it’s finest. My Shaguar and A-Team meet up for the first time!

So get out there and find a few “mates” to share your hobby! Enjoy, Share, and do some good – put some smiles on other people’s faces, and you just might find one on your own!  To the Batmobiles, Let’s go!!!!

Star Car Central update! See famous movie and TV cars in August 2011~ to the batmobile!

OK star car fans, I have been asked to post more info on where we will be appearing so here ya go! Here’s the line up for the rest of August!

This Saturday Aug. 20, 2011 join Nate Truman and a big chunk of the Star Car Central gang for a  FUND RAISER for a  youth center in Montery Park.

Show Time: 3pm to 9pm

Location: Praise Alive Worship Center 201 S. New Ave., Monterey Park, Ca. 91755

Star Cars Confirmed so far:

1) Paul – BTTF DeLorean

2) Jason – Ratchett

3) Brian – Herbie or Bond

4) Oscar – Magnum PI

5) Jason – Herbie

6) Jon – Bumblebee

7) Sue – Get Smart

7) Ari – Jurasic Park Jeep

8) Mark – Adam 12

9) Alex – KITT

10) Nate in Batmobile! He’s actually going to bring it out of the garage, even after getting the right rims on his A-Team van! (I’ll believe it when I see it!)

So join us for some music and star car fun this Saturday!

Then on Sunday

AUG 21ST SUNDAY  SCC-SD CHARGER STEVE’S WILD RIDES AND CLASSIC CARS 6AM  
 This Sunday, if you are in the San Diego area, check out these SCC member’s cool movie and TV car rides!

http://www.chargersteve.com/pb/wp_8ca66bb4.html?0.31193643528426784
   BRIAN HERBIE OR BOND
JENNIFER KITT
LEE GENERAL LEE
STEVE SCOOBY DOO
MIKE TOWMATER
ARI JURRASIC PARK

TONY BANDIT

RICHARD PETTY CAR

Bikini Contests, star cars and great San Diego weather, what more do you want? Check it out!Aug 28th SUNDAY this yr. 9-4 ANIMAL ADOPTION EVENT
Ventura County Animal shelter. event is on August 28.At the shelter in the Camerillo Airport.This will be our 7th year and anywhere from 150-200 animals find homes that day. Event is located at: 600 aviation drive in Camarillo.

The shelter is located on the property of the Camarillo Airport.There will be signs that will be posted they will say adoptathon.Off ramp off the fwy is Los Posas.  Starcars attending as of today: Jon’s Transformer BUMBLEBEE Camaro and Brian’s Die Another Day
007  JAMES BOND CAR!  If you want to adopt a pet and can’t make it, send my pal Craig Nadel an email!

Craig Nadel

ruffbarber@yahoo.com
Thank you for choosing to adopt a special orphan in need of a loving home.
http://www.rescuemeinc.petfinder.com

Aug  31 wednesday SCC-SD Cajon Classic Cruise Star Car Event (The Wed night show) http://downtownelcajon.com/event_ccc.shtml
Back down in San Diego, Charger Steve is lining up some star cars Mid week for all to enjoy!

Gary’s  herbie
Steve Scooby Doo Van
Michael towmater tow truck
Lee      general Lee from Dukes of Hazzard will all be on display!

There are lots of events for the Cajon Cruise, but only this one has star cars!

So come on out and say “HOWDY!”  and bring your camera and friends!

SUPER STARCARCENTRAL FRIENDS! MONSTER JAM IN ANAHEIM THE WAIT IS OVER FOR THE WORLD PREMIER MOVIE!

What exactly is “starcarcentral.com”? that’s a question I get all the time.  Well, basically it’s a moving event/charity/party I have been putting on since 2003!

This video was shot at the Monster Jam truck show, where the star car owners met the fans, then took to the mud in the arena at Anaheim Stadium!   Special thanks to Charger Steve (he’s in the cowboy hat and was too busy to pose with his Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am or General Lee that day) and to all the great guys and gals who came out to the party!  We appear as an attraction at many charity events around So. Cal., on TV shows and videos, commercials and the freeways!   Check this blog and starcarcentral.com international on facebook for updates on future appearances. Contact me at  info@starcarcentral.com if you want to join up!

ABILITY FIRST AND STAR CAR CENTRAL TEAM UP AGAIN FOR THE OSCAR RED CARPET EXTRAVAGANZA!

We're on a mission from StarCarCentral!

Ability first’s annual red carpet event was attended by many famous faces and cars, thanks in part to Nate Truman’s Star Car Central.com gang of volunteers!

The Blues Brother’s own 74 Monaco was in the shop, so Mark G. stepped up and offered his Adam-12 Patrol vehicle to transport the famous Duo!

One Adam 12 with Joan Rivers and the Blues Brothers?

“Joan Rivers” tried to interest Mark in giving her a ride, but he would have none of that!

"Joan, I told you, no rides in the patrol car!"

Brian and his Robo Herbie is a regular at this event and this time he delivered in Herbie….. BONO?

Bono trying to look cool in Herbie.

Thanks to SCC member Craig the star of the parade William Christopher who played Father Mulcahey for years on the M.A.S.H. TV series showed up in style in a ww2 jeep (usually sporting the RAT PATROL markings)

William Christopher during his days on M.A.S.H.

Paul delivered Edward Cullen character from the movie Twilight Then peeled out down the red carpet

Jason's Ratchet and a baby transformer following behind!

Transformers were big this year, with Jason in his Ratchet van, Jon and his Camaro Bumblebee and a few transformers in costumes that would transform from autobot to

vehicle!  Even a motorcycle costume transformed.

"Autobots, roll out.... faster... transform all ready......"

Everyone enjoys the great event each year, and this was no exception.  Mark “Adam-12” said he will come back as long as they want him!

Each year Michael Barkyoumb, Center Director puts on a top notch show for the special needs “clients” and he never fails to bring something new to the party each time!

Thanks to all who helped make this night special for everyone, and a big thank you from me for all the Star Car Central.com members who took their time and their amazing rides to the event!

All expenses come out of their own pockets, gas, trailer rentals for some, repairs, insurance and I couldn’t be prouder of these guys and gals!

Stop by and see us at Frank and Sons Collector show this Saturday, it may be our last appearance there for the forseeable future due to our busy summer schedule!

If you want to see RATCHET and BUMBLEBEE they will be there, as well as the pacific Palisades parade on the 4th of July! (See yesterday’s blog for links at the bottom!)

Now I have to go install a reel to reel tape recorder in my A-Team van, and paint some cabinets – not sure if I am going to make my own deadline of the 4th, we shall see!

Until next time, Star car fans!

 

Camp Paivika lets special needs kids and adults experience the wonders of camp.

To sponsor a camper – or sign up your own – call or visit us online at www.abilityfirst.org/camppaivika.

Pasadena, CA 91107

Tel (626) 449-5661 x 10

Website: http://abilityfirst.org/

SCC on TMZ at Comikaze Party! Rain, towtrucks and starcar crashes!

Last Friday night in the worst rain and traffic I have been a part of in years, three intreped StarCarCentral.com members braved the weather and conditions to support GAMERS UNITED.

Harvey Levin’s TMZ TV show had a camera crew at the Beverly Hills event for the first L.A. ComiKaze Comic Con party where three SCC members came to support the cause of the night, giving out comic books and video games to sick kids!  Michele Rodriguez was a celebrity guest and was really sweet to all three of us, she loved the cars!

Nate and Paul caught by TMZ

Jon Bumblebee, Paul BTTF, and Nate Knight Rider all braved the rain and REDONKULOUS traffic but all got there before the party and the rain started.  Various camera crews were on hand to cover the party thrown by Regina Carpinelli CEO Comikaze Expo and was held at her art gallery “The Celebrity Vault”  at 345 North Canon Drive Beverly Hills,Ca 90210 that specializes  in celebrity and rock and roll star limited edition photography.

A donation of comic books or cash and an invitation got you into the party, but there was only room for three stars outside: Bumblebee from the Transformers, Back to the future Delorean and KITT from Kinght Rider were parked out in the elements!   The buzz and photography around the cars was non stop through the night, but after a few turns in front of the camera we went next door and the three of us had a New York Style Pizza and caught up on a few stories!  After some more rain and a few more times lighting up KITT for the cameras I decided it was time to go home, as Monster Jam was the next day.  Kitt had other ideas!  It let out a terrible sound and the starter decided it didn’t want to play any more! So what does every good Knight Rider do in that situation? TURBOBOOST!!!!

"TURBO BOOST? I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE START BUTTON!"

Actually, I just called AAA and they sent out a tow truck to take KITT back to the Knight Industries repair truck.

Paul and Jon stayed a while longer while the paparazzi never stopped taking photos of KITT even while being loaded on the truck!

I got KITT safely home, dropped him in the driveway and got the A-Team van out for Monster Jam the next day.   (see previous blog!)

Sadly it was Paul’s turn next to have some bad star car incident, he made it fine to the Monster jam the next day, but on the drive home hit  a stalled truck in the road and tore up the side of his BTTF car!

When you play with your toys, stuff like this happens!  Luckily the F.L.A.G. mechanic was over on Monday (aka Alex!) and had a new starter in KITT in no time flat and we went out for a nice lunch all before noon!  That man has skills and connections! But I don’t think he can get Delorean stainless panels.

Here’s a look at Pauls car before the accident.   I am not sure I want to see what it looks like now! 😦

Paul vows to be all back together and rolling by our next event!  Many of your favorite star cars will be on display in November at www.comikazeexpo.com

TMZ was also at another SCC event but didn’t get any of the Knights of the West Coast on Camera on Valentines day.  A few fans of the Hoff showed up with Knight Rider stories for a new series where stars trade places with celebrities who have their same name!

David Hasselhoff looks different! (click the link to watch the TMZ video)

007 James Bond and Agent 86 Get Smart Spy a great 2011 in store for StarCarCentral.com!

To ring in the new year, two StarCarCentral.com members worked with the  Santa Paula police chief Steve McKinnon to help raise funds  for the Boys and Girls club of Santa Paula.

The event had a cool spy theme and even the location (which was an unused warehouse) was kept a secret until a couple of days before the event!  It was an incredibly successful auction and party which raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Boys and Girls club, which had a particularly bad year in 2010 but is starting 2011 with a great boost to the programs they can provide for kids in all of the surrounding communities.  The two SCC cars on display were famous spy cars, Brian’s James Bond BMW and Sue’s Get Smart Sunbeam!

Sue is one of the biggest fans of Get Smart, and has done a top notch job of putting together all the fun gadgets of the get smart series.  From the machine gun in the hood, to the recreation of the shoe phone!

Brian’s James Bond BMW from “Tomorrow Never Dies” has roof missiles, with an iPod playing quotes (that the on-board nagging BMW computer said during the car chase) and for the event Brian added an on-board Playstation 2 with “James Bond Racing” and “From Russia with Love” games  installed so a few brave guests tried some “backseat driving”.  A fog machine also simulated the “tear gas” security system.

Brian’s new top “traffic clearing” rockets!

Brian's set up to recreate the remote control chase scene, redefines "back seat driving!"

Now James, pay attention! (Brian as "Q")

The cars were a hit and so were the spy costumes.  Brian was “Q” from the James Bond films.

and Sue’s friend dressed up as Inspector Couseau’s pirate disguise from “Revenge of The Pink Panther”.

Sue with Inspector Jacques Clouseau? Hard to tell with that disguise!

Party Hats off to Sue and Brian for making this event “spy-tastic!”  Brian over the last few years has actually become the “Q” of the SCC group, lending his engineering skills to several star car builds!

So a special thanks to all his help to put more starcars on the roads with more working gadgets!

Here’s to more gadgets in 2011~  I will try not to blow them all up taking the gang to events “Q”, but no promises!

"Shoe phone? What sort of Apps does it run?"

2010 Motor4Toys Ferrari’s Lambos and Star cars – together to bring toys to tots!

Tis the season to collect toys for kid and Star Car Owners got in gear to help out!  We participated in three different toy drives in area events, and  we had the biggest  bunch of star cars line up to help on Dec. 5th!

Hundreds of exotic car owners came and dropped off toys, and of course took some time to look at all the big boy toys too!

Old classics, Ferrari’s, Lambo’s and customs all lined up, from cars like the Ford GT40 to a pair of these!

After answering the “five questions” for a while, and dropping off the toys, the guys headed to a TGIF and lined up our own starcar show in the parking lot!

Oscar brought his Miami Vice Ferrari, Herbie was there next to the Back to the Future Delorean, Charlie’s Bullitt Mustang, KITT and Starsky and Hutch finished out the line up.  While the cars waited patiently out in the parking lot the drivers had a great time together inside!  Merry Christmas… more blogs but I have to write my Christmas letter!

Harley Quinn out of Arkham Asylum tracks down the Batmobile!

Every now and then the Batmobile makes a special appearance, and someone in the crowd walks out of the pages of the comic books and right up to the batsled!  When that happens, How can I not let them sit behind the wheel of the most famous crime fighting car in the world?

On Halloween 2010 a fun church in Burbank puts on a themed party every year, and this time it was superheros!  With a full on stunt show and short live action play at the top of every hour, Batman and Robin slugged it out with the Deviler!   Lots of action and of course the dynamic Duo won the day!  Afterwards the would take photos of the little superheros with the batmobile and the caped crusaders!

Gotham City Police Officer Nate Truman, apprehends Harley Quinn!

 

Somewhere in the night, Dr. Harley Quinsel, aka Harley Quinn, the joker’s crazy but lovable moll strolled out of the crowd!  I can’t say no to someone that is THAT big of a batfan, so I told her to wait and I would get her behind the wheel of the batmobile!  I think her smile was bigger than the Jokers!

Kassandra Gamez was under all that make up and costuming, and she did a great job of portraying Harley!  I hope she goes to a few Comic Cons with that getup, she could win a prize!  Just one of the benefits of driving a batmobile around Los Angeles!    To the batmobile, and Harley can have a ride when ever she wants! (just to tick of the Joker, of course!)

StarCarCentral.com lines up famous movie and tv cars for downs syndrome event for DSALA

Each year the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles puts on a Buddy Walk and Festival, and Nate Truman’s StarCarCentral.com line up was there to support the cause!  Only one thing was missing, me! AKA NATE!  Luckily,  the SSC is not about one person, it’s about a team of great star car owners who will come out with their cool famous movie and tv cars to support charities around Los Angeles!

KITT from Knight Rider,  Magnum P.I. Ferrari, Back to the Future Delorean, Ratchet  right next to Bumblebee from the Transformers, and Herbie all showed up to support all the folks at DSALA!

SCC members Alex, Oscar, Paul, Jason, Jon and Brian all arrived early and lined up somehow with out their fearless leader!?!?  How is that possible?  Oh right, they are all veterans of many similar events we have done over the last seven years!

Of course, this was the first time a mini Thunderbird Jet showed up, and gave rides!   I think all the guys wanted a turn!  I bet  a jet plane would give the horses at Santa Anita a run for their money!

But wait, I know what you are thinking, if Nate Truman’s not there, then there was no Batmobile!  HA!

Even though he won an Academy Award my secret weapon comes out a few times a year, with HIS batmobile!  Tom Woodruff came later but the boys saved a place for him right in front!

After the walk and festival ended, a once in a lifetime photo op happened!  All the guys went out to a local Sonic and managed to get every stall on the same side, for one of the coolest starcar photos in a long time!  That’s what I get for missing an event!

Now we have to turn that into a poster!  Too cool!   Next up, the next day, AUTISM Walk at Anaheim stadium!  Still no NATE!

If you want to attend or support DSLA next year, just check out their website at DSLA