Anyone seen this movie?

[LUKE'57]

Here's my version of a movie poster for a documentary made around '66 called "Tiny Lund, Hard Charger". It was an independent production and had limited release. It was full length and in color and had some great footage of a slam bang Permatex Daytona Sportsman race between Tiny and Curtis Turner. I know they've re-leased most of the older theatrical racing movies from "Thunder in Carolina" (Hard Chargin') to "Last American Hero" (Hard Charger),see a pattern here? I was just wondering if anyone had seen it since its theatrical release in the mid sixties. I'd love to get a copy to use as color reference for the models if anyone has a lead on it.

 

[redrock]

Can't help you with that film, but a good topic. I have a question also, does anybody know the name of the film sort of about Junior Johnson starring Jeff Bridges from maybe the 70's?

 

[LUKE'57]

Last America Hero, based on an article by Tom Wolfe. Also rereleased on video using the title, Hard Driver IIRC. They used one of the local dirt track cars as a stand in for Johnson's real Monte Carlo. It was a Bobby Allison built Monte Carlo. Painted it up like the #12 and Neil Castles' Plymouth like the #43 for all the setup beating and banging in the final race. Thing is, he didn't tell the owners what he was gonna do with it and brought it back all "wrinkled". They were not amused.

The dirt track scenes were filmed at the old Metrolina Speedway at the Charlotte NC fairgrounds or either the old Concord Speedway behind the trailer park, I just can't remember. You can see a lot of the local guys in the scenes, especially the fight after the last race. Punchy Whitaker is the one who comes around and fights with Bridges' character. He told me that he had Bridges believing he was really gonna "get" him in that scene. Had him so shook up he wanted a stunt man for it. LOL