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Blues Brothers Tribute: 1974 Dodge Monaco

There were three stars of the quasi-classic 1980 movie, The Blue Brothers: Saturday Night Live alum John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, and a 1974 Dodge Monaco, dressed up as a retired Chicago police car. As it turns out, 13 of the autos were needed to deliver upon the script for which Aykroyd was a co-writer. This ‘74 Monaco is a real-deal former law enforcement car that has been redone to emulate the mechanical star of the motion picture. This could be the ultimate collectible for hardcore fans of the flick. Located in Bensenville, Illinois, this Mopar is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $16,100, but the seller’s reserve has yet to be triggered.

Supposedly there was only one ideal car to be “The Bluesmobile” and that was a mid-1970s Dodge Monaco with a 440 cubic inch V8 engine. More than a dozen of them were bought at an auction from the California Highway Patrol along with another 45-50 to play active police cars in the movie. They were customized for speed and stunts and most of them ended up being destroyed by the time the movie wrapped production. More than 40 stunt drivers were employed, and the film crew kept a 24-hour body shop to repair cars.

Fans of the film will recall the line early in the movie when Elwood (Dan) was explaining the car to Jake (John): “It’s got a cop motor, a 440 cubic-inch plant. It’s got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters, so it’ll run good on regular gas.” For the classic scene near the end of the movie where the car falls apart, we understand it took a mechanic several months to rig the Dodge to self-destruct.

Whoever built this replica looks to have spared no effort or expense in making it look and perform like its celluloid counterpart. Starting with a former VIN-coded police car, tons of mechanical work was done to it, including the steering, fuel system, electrical system, starter, exhaust, brakes, and more. The engine was pulled and at least partially reworked with new gaskets and freeze plugs. We’re told it runs and stops as it should have back in 1974.

The lights and the PA like the one used in the movie all work as they should (we’re told the big speaker can easily be removed, but it’s part of the car’s charm). The Dodge even has a 140-mph speedometer which a heavy foot may be able to bury if it worked. The factory air conditioning is the only other item that’s said to be inoperative. If you’ve ever wanted a Bluesmobile of your own, here’s your chance!

Comments

  1. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    “Are you guys cops?”

    “No Ma’am, we’re musicians”.

    Like 29
  2. Avatar Howard A Member

    Fix the lighter,,

    Like 26
  3. Avatar Russ Dixon Staff

    Elwood: “It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.”

    Jake: “Hit it.”

    Like 41
  4. Avatar Greg B Member

    Elwood Blues: “It’s got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it’ll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?”

    Like 8
  5. Avatar eastlex91

    Fix the cigarette lighter.

    Like 10
  6. Avatar Grant

    I was just in Joliet just last week and I thought about this movie. The replica I could do without however.

    Like 6
  7. Avatar Mark Smith

    WOW! Lotsa work went into making it as close to the movie car as possible.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Dangerous Dave

    Check out Video Bob Moseley on You Tube, he makes these cars and many other movie cars, including Back to the Future time machines, for the general public.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar JEV

    Elwood:
    So just what kind of music do you have here?
    Lady Bartender:
    Well, we got em both.. Country and Western!

    Like 8
  10. Avatar Mikefromthehammer

    IIRC the Bluesmobile was a retired Calumet City (not Chicago) police car.

    (It was a long time ago though, when all of my synapses were firing correctly. Now, however…)

    Like 7
    • Avatar Sean Aiello

      Mt. Prospect is what they said in the movie.

      Like 10
      • Avatar Martin

        Oops! I didn’t see your reply before I sent my own. The movie has always been one of my favorites.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Mikefromthehammer

        That’s it. Thanks. Did they mention Calumet City at all in the movie?

        Like 0
    • Avatar Martin

      In the movie, Elwood mentions that it was an ex-Mt. Prospect police car.

      Like 5
      • Avatar Mikefromthehammer

        Thanks.

        Like 0
  11. Avatar Howard A Member

    I don’t recall the car in the movie having a radio, it was an EX- police car, and the ropes holding the speaker on are too thick. It should be mentioned, the mall scene wasn’t too far from this cars location, the Dixie Mall in Harvey. It was already abandoned when the film crew came in. As seen, they literally trashed the place without the owners knowing, paid them off when filming wrapped up, and left it in disrepair. So much so, it had to be demolished. It was okay, though, they were “on a mission from God”,,

    Like 7
    • Avatar Kman

      It was already abandoned and going to be leveled and they did have permission. They set up all the stores that were in “operation “ for the movie.

      Like 2
  12. Avatar Paul D Jordan

    Thank you for building this!

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Rusty Trawler

    I have never seen this listed on top movie – tv cars. Would be fun to drive but own it, maybe not so much.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Glenn Hilpert

    This was the first vehicle, K-car, I drove when I started in Law Enforcement, year 1975. I worked 12 hour shifts back then, 8 in the car itself with a 4 hour on call status. Thank God we had our our gas pump within the City because I don’t think the car got 80 miles on a tank and that was without any Code 3 runs if needed. Overall I was not really impressed with the car. It was heavy and took forever to reach 100 if needed. The ride was stiff but had the room for comfort and gear. This model year was made popular by the movie and that was about it.

    Like 4
  15. Avatar Rob

    My first car was an ex-sheriff 74 Monaco. 400/4bbl, dual exhaust, hot cam, spotlight, no A/C. 10 MPG, 0-60 in 9.5 seconds.

    Like 8
  16. Avatar John Klintz

    Elwood: “The new Oldsmobiles are out early this year.”

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Howie

    We are on a mission from God. $20,200 now and reserve still not met!!

    Like 1
  18. Avatar mr bill

    Several cars had run out of gas going to the scene in BluesBrothers 2000…
    They had limited gas capacity due to move regulations….
    It was a fun time hanging out with the boys throughout the film

    Like 3
  19. Avatar Big Block 4-Speed

    No mention of whether it is a U-coded car or not. If it;s a DK41 the next digit would be a U if it were a 440HP. If it is, they wasted a very valuable car by turning into another steaming pile of poop Bluesmobile.

    Like 1
  20. Avatar Paul L. Drury

    Check the license plate BDR 529. Anyone out there know the significance of this very key item???? As a born native of Dan Ackroyd’s hometown of Toronto Ontario, Canada. The BDR were a Toronto Motorcycle gang in the 1950’s up until the 2000’s headed up by Johnny Sombrero (RIP)
    BDR = Black Diamond Riders
    529 = 529 Jarvis St. Toronto – Their Clubhouse Address
    This was Ackroyd’s tribute to the BDR!!!!!!!
    Cool bit o’ stuff, Huh.
    Cheers Paul.

    Like 7
  21. Avatar Paul L. Drury

    Check the BDR529 License plate. This Toronto native Dan Ackroyds tribute the the 1950’s – 2000’s Toronto motorcycle gang Black Diamond Riders whose clubhouse was at 529 Jarvis St Toronto. run by Johnny Sombrero!

    Like 2
  22. Avatar 12PACK

    I wonder if this former LEO car has SCMODS.

    Like 3
  23. Avatar Troy s

    It doesn’t have the “Support Your Local Police ” bumper sticker! Great movie, who knew a worn out ’74 Dodge Monaco would become such an icon! I didn’t, when I saw it in the theater when it first came out,,,liked that car but never had any idea we all would be so excited over it forty plus years later!

    Like 1
  24. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended:Aug 30, 2022 , 8:45AM
    Winning bid:
    US $25,000.00
    [ 75 bids ]

    Like 1
  25. Avatar R.p.

    I saw him driving it Yesterday in Naperville, IL. So it does Run!

    Like 0
  26. Avatar angliagt Member

    Perfect for the guy who has a General Lee tribute Charger.

    Like 0
  27. Avatar Jim Smith

    In the early 80s I was a movie projectionist at a small “art” theater just a few feet north of the Ohio State University campus. Friday and Saturday night we had the Midnight Movies, and my first night was the Friday when we were showing The Blues Brothers. I was a big Belushi fan but never cared for the Blues Brothers, but this movie made me fan. The music was great, the kids in the audience were feeling no pain [we never screened for drugs or alcohol at the doors] and everyone had a blast! We had so much fun that we did a second screening after the first one, starting at around 2:45 am. I’ll never forget this car or many of the iconic lines and songs.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

      Jim….the Roxy, just north of Lane Ave. on High St.?? I was there at the exact same time when we’d go to Crazy Mamas, Bernies, Andy’s Pub, Larry’s, the IP Lounge etc.

      It was fun and funky back then, but now it’s corporate and sterile.

      Like 0

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