Yes it is true that the film actually used formula 3 cars and at
times actually rebodied them to look like the formula one cars.
If you watch the monaco race, you will see the the wheels are
different and narrower in the "actor" cars Once you start looking for
them, you can see quite a difference between the real and actor cars.
In referrence to the qualifying sequence at Zandvoort.
In the film "SCOT STODDARD" wore a helmet similar to JACKIE
STEWART;S -------------- with the "clan Stewart tartan" design on it.
Stoddard --------------- drove for BRM. ------------- as ----- of
course, did Stewart.
That sequence was actually JACKIE STEWART with the camera mounted
on his REAL formula one car. The few seconds where the cars rolls to
a stop was actually BRIAN BEDFORD (real name of actor) in Stewart's
car. He didn't get it more than forty miles per hour for the shot,
but it is Bedford in the real formula one car.
An interesting sidenote ---------------
Watch closely at the end of the qualifying sequence of Zandvoort, as
the BRM is coming into the pits, and on the fight side of the screen,
you will see another car nearly "wipe-out" The camera car. It nearly
pulls out right in front of it.
Another interesting note. The "Yamura" was painted red to resemble
a Ferrari in long range shots for one of the race sequences, then
painted white again for another race, but the white didn't completely
cover the red, so it was actually a pale PINK for the filming fo the
ZANDVOORT race, on film, it was ok, and came our with a bit of color
correction, but during the filming it was pink. Was an inside joke
that JAMES GARNER was driving a PINK car!!
If you watch the rain sequence at SPA you will see that the camera
car is actually going only seventy or so miles per hour in the rain.
Watch closely, it is true ------------- the drivers view is actually
going only severnty or so. You can also look at the wheels of the
actors cars ----------------- then compare to the real formula 1 cars
in the same race ----------------- you cans ee the HUGE difference in
their appearances.
I have read all kind of material --------------- Road and Track
magazine had an article in it avout eight years ago about the filming
of the movie ---------------------- I ------------Think --------- LIFE
magazine did an article about the film when it was relaeased in the
theatres. If you dig at the library you can find all kinds of
tid-bits of info about the film.
I have been a bona-fide NUT about it since it came out and I was
fift*** years old. I literally saw it fifty three times in the
theatres -------------------- mowed lawns for the money and watched it
on weekends and off from school days.
I have taken enough time and space here.
GPL is GREAT --------------------------- isn't it?
:-)
Doug