PERSONAL VIDEO - "DRIVE" by Richard Mosier (2004)

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Summary

I was fortunate enough to be working on a car commercial shoot on a weekend in the Southern California area when I got the opportunity to make a run with my 72 Pre L on the freeway during the time that it was closed. I had driven the Pantera to work that day since it was the weekend with no traffic (or rain!) and I was leaving for work at 4:30 AM. It sounded like a nice drive for 90 miles to get to work. Frequently when film production companies use a stretch of highway they “lock-up” a section temporarily with the help of law enforcement. On this particular day we had a camera in a helicopter shooting in the morning so the camera I work with was not yet being used. I was waiting with my camera in a parking lot nearby for my turn to shoot. After a couple of hours there was a call from my boss in the helicopter (the Director of Photography) to get in my car and come out to the freeway to the shooting location. When I got out there the word was they had a little down time from shooting the next product car while it was being prepared and wanted me to make a run down the freeway while it was closed to film my Pantera. So, with the road closed to all traffic except me I accepted the invitation.

I got to run at 80 mph for about eight miles. I had to stay at that speed for safety reasons, because the pilot was flying low between signs, mountains, and power lines. However after the helicopter finished I got about a two minute run at 120 mph, but that part is not on film. I can tell you that it is a lot different driving that fast on the freeway when you know the police are not going to chase you.

All total the filmed part is 1 minute and 50 seconds long. A friend sent me back out in the car later to record engine noise from inside the car - shifts and accelerating. Then he edited the video, added the engine sound and a little Jimmy Hendriks "Cross Town Traffic."

About the Car

The car is a 72 Pre L. I bought it about 13 months ago. It came from the San Francisco area. I am the third owner I believe. Mike Drew went over the car with me before purchase and yes it did break when he drove it. Ha Ha. Rebuilt engine. Basically stock except for a mild cam. I am still getting the bugs out of the engine including getting ready to do some carburetor work. It runs too rich as you may see in the video at one point. I still have to rebuild the suspension which will happen sometime in the next few weeks per the budget allowance.

Additional Information

Visit Richard's website for more info about #3714.

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