For those of us who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s, the movie Vanishing Point will always be memorable. And especially for car guys like me. It featured Barry Newman as a mysterious figure who was hired to deliver a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T from Denver, Colorado, to San Francisco, California, over a weekend. That’s about 1,250 miles. Naturally, a lot of car chases are featured, and we won’t give away the ending for those who haven’t seen it. The seller offers what may be a rare Revell model in 1/25 scale of the movie car, plus the driver, simply named Kowalski. Located in Temple, Georgia, this memory jogger is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $100 OBO.
Though Newman was the technical star of the 1971 movie (not the later remake), the real hero was the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. We understand that five of the cars used in the movie had engines ranging from 383 to 440 cubic inches. The 440s had a 4-speed, the 383 an automatic. Alpine White was the color of choice. Supposedly, they were rented to Chrysler for $1 a day each (think of the promotional value) and were returned after filming was completed. But they were all beat to hell and destroyed, so none of them survived their ordeal. Here’s an action shot from the movie courtesy of IDMb.
If you search eBay, you’ll find several Revell model kits of the car, but few are fully assembled and include the Kowalski figurine. The car and figure are still in the original box, a must for collectors. And it all seems to be in good factory condition. We don’t know the production dates for the builds or kits, but not likely back when the movie was out 55 years ago. If you make the seller a fair offer, he’ll meet you in public for the exchange.
When movies were real action with stars and cars we could associate with, Vanishing Point was one of those movies. Not zombies disemboweling cyborgs, or computer generated disasters, or whatever is playing today. Toy makers were quick to respond to the latest Hollywood hack.. I’ve never seen this particular toy, but a nice tribute to the movie.
It should be noted, Kowalski was whacked out on white cross, and the car that hit the dozers, 2 D6 Cats, was not a Challenger, but a late 60s(?) Camaro. I think Chrysler didn’t want one of their cars destroyed like that. Dukes of Hazzard,,,different story. Model names came and went, but I think Revell was the most popular models. They had everything, including Kowalskis Challenger. Very cool post!
Oops, I think I gave away the ending,,oh well, did you know Darth Vader was Lukes father?
Next, I suppose you’ll tell us the boat sinks?
Not only did the boat sink, but the leading male actor died too.
I think the Cats were D8H’s or maybe even 9’s. BTW, keep those comments coming. You seem about my a g e (early 70’s)and I appreciate your heavy vehicle perspective. I saw vanishing point when it first came out and it impressed me. Same with Duel. I always appreciated Valiants after that one.
Thanks for your response on that. I wasn’t sure and usually go by what the 1st info bit comes up on the screen, many times it’s not accurate, and D6 seemed a bit light. I’m always grateful for someone that actually knows the real jazz, and can fill in. I’m 71, and a rough 71, but my life was surrounded by machines, trucks, anything with a motor, and it’s part of why I’m here, to shoot the breeze with others of similar experiences.
My buddy at an old job swore it was a 69 Camaro at the final scene. Tried slowing down the old VCR to check it, but the tape melted. Man I got old!
It was a ‘67 Camaro; pretty easy to spot in the scenes where the firemen (including the director) are training hoses on it. (DVD copy for the win!)
The Challenger was cool, but I actually liked the Honda better at the time.
…and technically it was never Kowalsky’s car.
Type Nick’s Garage Kowalski in your favourite search engine. People are still fascinated by this movie.
Just a walk in the park Kowalski…
These were from 2002, besides Revell, ERTL made die casts of these, which are probably more detailed. Large scale die casts used to be pretty popular, I’m not sure if that’s the case anymore.
Steve R
Freedom, baby! Great artifact of a vanishing point-in history!
As an adult model car builder, I don’t see as much collectability in this myself, but perhaps someone into 1/18 scale diecast will want this. Same goes for all the models of ‘Christine’ the demonized `58 Plymouth–funny how things like this gain in popularity long after the original movies came out.
I have 2 Ertl versions on is the dirty version very coo…
Great post, Russ, and thanks for sharing this glimpse back in time when action movies, well, involved real action! Apparently, the powers-that-be at Chrysler were none too thrilled with some of the film’s content unrelated to the cars. For fans who want more than just viewing the U.S. version of the movie, a DVD was released around 2003 that features the domestic version plus the longer U.K. release, the latter of which includes an additional short scene featuring actress Charlotte Rampling. It also offers the option to turn on commentary by the film’s director, the late Richard C. Sarafian, who provides insightful information about the shoot, stunts, and more. Sadly, Barry Newman is no longer with us either, having passed away in 2023.
Didn’t the Challenger have a 6-pak?
The other on screen “Kowalski” from that same era was the one on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Every week he either got shot or broke his arm, while the Seaview rocked back and forth. But, Vanishing Point was the BOMB!
The wreck with the dozers the tire rim turning was a chrome reverse my Dad and I left the movie talking about that! Brings back some good ole memories
I actually saw Vanishing Point at the drive in sitting in a Challenger. I thought my buddy, Lee, was going to blow up his 318 on the way home from the movie.
My friend DID blow up his brand new 318 Challenger on his way from Pittsburgh to Phoenix shortly after the film’s release.
That film caused a lotta info drivetrain stress in a lotta Mopars…