PLYMOUTH VALIANT "All right...this is it...it's just him and me...his truck versus my little car. All I can do is take him on and find a way to win..." THE DUEL The movie that made Steven Spielberg's career as a director. It stars Dennis Weaver as a salesmen trying to get to work who runs afoul of homicidal driver in an old tanker truck. Weaver's car is portrayed in various scenes by the 1970, '71 and '72 models of the Plymouth Valiant. "You can't beat me on the grade. You can't beat me on the grade!"
I love Duel. I saw it first-run when I was about five years old. These early 70's Chrysler cars have a special place in my heart, my parents owned a '72 Dodge Dart which had much in common with the Valiant (and every other comparable Chrysler of the same era). The instrument cluster in our Dart was identical to the Valiant's in this movie.
Great movie. The car is "meh," but it's supposed to be. It's a bland, underpowered economy model that gives Dennis Weaver no advantage, so it's all up to his wits. It reminds me of the days when you could tell the sound of a Chrysler starter from across the parking lot, though.
That was the family car when I was growing up. In fact it's almost similar to the one in the pictures, but with a green color. Even after we got a new car that car sat in our backyard for a few months before my dad sold it. I still have fond memories of that car.
The Ford Fairmont I used to have looked similar. It looks like a car is supposed to: A front end--a back end--and a middle. Ever since the Audi and the jelly bean Taurus knock-off--every call out there looks like some kind of swelled up bullfrog.