American Graffiti (1973) Japanese poster with Paul Le Mat’s 1932 Ford deuce coupe

George Lucas Directs American Graffiti

American Graffiti was the brainchild of George Lucas, who was born in Modesto, California, on May 14, 1944. A racing-car enthusiast in high school, Lucas went on to drive competitively, later giving up the sport following a car crash in which his lungs were damaged.

American Graffiti was largely autobiographical, recounting Lucas’ carefree days as a teenage cruiser and gearhead in California’s San Joaquin Valley. George Lucas, Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck wrote the screenplay for Universal Pictures, with Lucas also directing. Set in 1962 before drugs, hippies and the big military buildup in Vietnam, it was Lucas’ intention to recapture the innocence of a bygone era through rock ‘n’ roll and the prevailing car culture.

American Graffiti was filmed in the summer of 1972 – ten years after George Lucas’ graduation from Downey High School in Modesto. Made for an economical 7,000, American Graffiti was shot in a scant 29 days in the northern California counties of Marin and Sonoma.

Ronny Howard and Richard Dreyfuss Head American Graffiti Cast

With the exception of Ronny Howard as Steve Bolander, George Lucas cast his upstart movie with a virtual group of unknown actors. Among the principals were Richard Dreyfuss (Curt Henderson), Paul Le Mat (John Milner), Charlie Martin Smith (Terry “The Toad” Fields), Cindy Williams (Laurie Henderson), Candy Clark (Debbie Medway), Mackenzie Phillips (Carol Morrison), Harrison Ford (Bob Falfa), Bo Hopkins (Joe Young), Suzanne Somers (Blonde in T-Bird), Kathy Quinlan (Peg) and Wolfman Jack (Himself).

Candy Clark and Charlie Martin Smith with Ronny Howard’s boss 1958 Chevrolet Impala

American Graffiti’s Search for Classic Cars

In order to recreate the era, George Lucas had to acquire the loan of some 300 pre-1962 automobiles. The production company placed ads in local newspapers soliciting the use of vintage cars to be employed in the movie. The response was overwhelming, with over a thousand car owners being interviewed.

American Graffiti features a handful of “starring vehicles,” most of which play a major role in the film. Here’s what to look for:

Paul Le Mat’s 1932 yellow Ford deuce coupe. This is Big John Milner’s vaunted mode of transportation, bearing the license plates THX 138 – in tribute to the 1971 George Lucas sci-fi film THX 1138. The coupe houses a powerful 327 cubic inch Chevy engine.
Harrison Ford’s 1955 midnight black Chevy. A trio of ’55 Chevys were actually used in the movie. One of the cars had originally appeared in the 1971 automotive movie classic Two-Lane Blacktop. American Graffiti employed one of the ’55 Chevys for street scenes, another for interior filming and a third for the crash scene. The hot rod version driven by Harrison Ford housed a 454 cubic inch engine capable of doing a quarter mile in 11 seconds.
Ronny Howard’s 1958 red and white Chevrolet Impala. Steve Bolander’s pride and joy in the film, this car originally housed a 348 cubic inch engine with a three-speed transmission.
Suzanne Somers’ 1956 arctic white Ford Thunderbird. This classic car is the vehicle of choice for the mysterious blonde cruiser who catches the eye of Richard Dreyfuss. The T-Bird’s fussy owner was never far away during filming, constantly attending to his prized possession and instructing Somers what she could and couldn’t do regarding the car.
Bo Hopkins’ 1951 Mercury. Hopkins, along with fellow Pharaohs members Manuel Padilla Jr. and Beau Gentry, cruise the streets in this dark, forbidding monster. The ’51 Merc was later purchased by musician Brian Setzer.
Cindy Williams’ 1958 Edsel. This family car is driven by head cheerleader Laurie Henderson, class of ’63 and the girlfriend of Steve Bolander.
Charlie Martin Smith’s Vespa motor scooter. Terry “The Toad” Fields’ only mode of transportation is this uncool putt-putt, which he later discards after garnering the loan of Steve’s ’58 Impala. Smith actually lost control of the Vespa as seen at the start of the movie.
Curt Henderson’s 1952 blue Citroen. Richard Dreyfuss cavorts in this goofy, compact car – hardly a magnet for hot chicks.
Bobbie Tucker’s 1957 Volkswagen. Bobbie, Curt and his former girlfriend Wendy cruise the streets in this beetle where they encounter Curt’s dream girl in the Ford Thunderbird.

Harrison Ford and his 1955 Chevy

American Graffiti’s Best Car Scenes

American Graffiti takes place during one unforgettable night in 1962. The characters cruise the streets of an unnamed California city as legendary DJ Wolfman Jack hosts a Golden Week-End Radio Show. The car culture comes alive, as witnessed by these memorable scenes:

John Milner Meets Bob Falfa. The two eventual drag-racing opponents finally converge while cruising the streets. Falfa insults Milner, inquiring if the ’32 Ford deuce coupe he’s driving belongs to his mama. Milner counters, calling Falfa’s ’55 Chevy “a field car.” The banter continues, with Falfa making light of Milner’s paint job, terming it “sort of a cross between piss yellow and puke green.”
The 1960 Cadillac Is Creamed. John Milner and Carol Morrison take revenge on a car full of girls, spraying their 1960 Caddy with shaving cream and deflating the tires.
Steve’s Car Is Stolen. Steve entrusts his prized ’58 Impala to Terry. The car is stolen, with Terry eventually finding the vehicle which he then tries to hot wire. The two thugs who pilfered the car confront Terry. “Ah, hi – this is my car,” Terry manages. “What I mean is, somebody stole – I mean I lost my car and I want to thank you two guys…” A fight ensues, with the hapless Terry saved by John Milner.
The Police Car Is Trashed. Threatened by the Pharaohs, a stealth Curt sneaks in and slips a chain under the chassis of a patrol car. The cops are taunted by Curt and the passing Pharaohs and off they go in pursuit, with the chassis staying in the parking lot and the front end skidding out into the street.
John and Carol Visit the Auto Grave Yard. John Milner points out some classic wrecks to Carol, including Freddy Benson’s Corvette and a 1941 Ford, which used to be “the fastest wheels in the valley.”
Drag Race on Paradise Road. John Milner’s ’32 deuce coupe and Bob Falfa’s ’55 Chevy meet in the big showdown at dawn, with Terry flagging the race.
Aerial View of the White T-Bird. As Curt’s plane heads east, spiriting him off to college, he looks down and glimpses the white Thunderbird traversing the countryside.

Harrison Ford’s 1955 Chevy vs. Paul Le Mat’s 1932 Ford deuce coupe on Paradise Road