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New Documentary "Mustang – The First 50 Years" Explores Famous Car’s History with Narration by Hollywood Stuntman Tom McComas

Mustang DVDs

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The Mustang is a pretty sweet ride that sparks a lot of memories and feelings in just about everybody. Including the movers and shakers behind the muscle car. In the new documentary, “Mustang—The First 50 Years,” aFord-licensed, two-DVD set, Hollywood stuntman Tom McComas narrates the history of the Mustang as well as provides insight into why the car is still so revered. The DVD includes background on Lee Iacocca, Carroll Shelby, and Jack Roush and interviews with Gale Halderman (designer of the original Mustang), authors Robert Fria, John Clor, Matt Stone, and Henry Ford III.

 

Tom McComas tells JustLuxe about his own experience with the legendary car, making the DVD and what it’s like to be a stuntman in Hollywood.

 

1)      How did the DVD “Mustang – The First 50 Years” come about?

My dad is a producer. His company is licensed by John Deere, Caterpillar, Boeing, Lionel Trains and others to produce educational and entertaining family shows. My dad was contacted by a Ford licensee who asked him to produce the Mustang film. My dad loves cars so he was thrilled to have been chosen to produce Ford’s commemorative show on Mustang’s 50th anniversary.

 

 

2)      During the filming of Mustang, The First 50 Years, which years and models were your favorite to report on?

The 65 Shelby GT350 is the one all the collectors want in their collections and they will pay huge money to get. Next, the 302 and 429 Bosses from 69 and 70, the California Specials, the Indy pace cars, the SVC Cobra RS, the Hertz Rent-A-Racer, the rare one-offs – those cars are always going to be the most collectible. In general, the convertibles and fastbacks with the biggest engines and high-performance configurations are the ones people want and are willing to pay big bucks for.

 

3)      It’s the story of an iconic American car, but also that of our culture from the 60’s on.  What did you learn that surprised you?

As Bob Dylan sang, “The Times they are a changin’.” The Baby Boomers were coming of age and they didn’t want their daddy’s cars.  They wanted a new car that fit their “go fast” lifestyle. The Mustang – because it’s DNA included affordability, performance and cachet – was that car. 

 

 4)     You’ve worked as a stuntman in a number of films, you also collect cars, what about the Mustang appeals to you?

The Mustang was the car that I first really noticed as a kid. It looked fast. It was loud. I was blown away. That first impression has always stayed with me. Even today, they still appeal to me in the same way. 

 

 5)      The Mustang is an iconic car.  Why do you think it’s survived for half a century?

Through the years, Mustang has maintained its appeal with the older folks who remember the original Mustang and also to younger folks looking for a hip car. Mustang is going on its third generation with no signs of slowing down. Why? Because it’s changed with the times while retaining styling cues from the original Mustangs. Over the years, Mustang has managed to appeal to both the young and those not-so-young.

 

6)      What would you say was the biggest impact on pop culture that Mustang has made over the years?

Mustang’s impact on music, films – think Steve McQueen in Bullitt – toys, games, clothes, advertising – was and is far greater than any other other car brand – by far. Mustang is the only auto nameplate that has survived for 50 consecutive years.  It’s been in the most movies. Mustang has 7.4 million likes on their Facebook page – that’s more than General Motors, Toyota and Chrysler combined.  They have the largest and most passionate following  – over 150 enthusiast clubs all over the world. No other car comes close to Mustang’s impact on pop culture. Mustang sold one million cars in 18 moths.  It took Corvette 40 years to sell one million Corvettes. 

 

 

7)      Who are some of the people who are featured on the DVD?

Gale Halderman – who designed the original Mustang. He’s retired now but was with Ford design for over 40 years. 

 

John Clor is Ford’s official Mustang historian and also part of their racing efforts. 

 

In our interview with Henry Ford III, he said the Mustang is the most important car Ford has ever made. 

 

The show also has features on Carroll Shelby, big time race car driver who made a race car out of the Mustang, Lee Iacocca, the father of the Mustang and the only guy to be on the covers of both Time and Newsweek in the same week! Also Jack Roush – very big in NASCAR and souping up production Mustangs.

 

8)      Do you see this primarily as a DVD for car buffs?

It certainly is for car buffs but it’s also for anyone interested that fascinating time in our country's post-WW2 history. The story of the Mustang is the story of Postwar America.  

 

 9)      How did you learn to drive stunt cars and have you done stunts in a Mustang?

Well, I was born with what I call the machine gene. The machine gene is the innate ability to drive any vehicle to it's mechanical limits. My father made the mistake of showing me how to drive on a farm when I was 12. It was a big mistake, because I refined my driving ability by sneaking his cars out from then on. We lived just outside Chicago and there was snow on the ground most of the time, so I learned how to slide a car at a young age. The weightless feeling that came from sliding a car on snow was the best, and it was what I practiced as much as I could. I was hooked and couldn't get enough.

As far as have I ever done stunts in a Mustang? To be honest, I've had several concussions and have forgotten more stunts than I can remember. But I do remember shooting an episode of "The Fugitive" in Mendocino, CA and driving a '68 fastback. In the first stunt we shot, I had to burn rubber from a standstill out of a service bay in an old garage, do a reverse 180 around a gas pump, and drift onto the road. I asked how much time we had for a rehearsal, and was told,"There's no time for rehearsal, but make it look good!" I just remember not wanting to smash that '68 into anything. Everything worked out and that '68 drove like a champ.

 

 

10)   You’re the narrator on this DVD, what other projects do you have coming out?

So far I have made my living by driving fast and falling down. Did you see the show? You think I have a future? 

In all seriousness, I worked for months on the next "Terminator" and work regularly on the show "Sons of Anarchy."

 

Check out the trailer. Go to tmbv.com. Click on Mustang.

 

 

Mustang opening
http://youtu.be/pCztAHJO4_M
 
Mustang Trailer
http://youtu.be/tG48WgTwYYw

Carly Zinderman

Carly Zinderman is a Senior Staff Writer for JustLuxe, based just outside of Los Angeles, CA. Since graduating from Occidental College with a degree in English and Comparative Literary Studies, she has written on a variety of topics for books, magazines and online publications, but loves fashion and style best. In her spare time, when she?s not writing, Carly enjoys watching old movies, reading an...(Read More)

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