Thirty years ago, Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes collaborated on the sci-fi action comedy Demolition Man. This entertaining movie leaned heavily on campy characters and explosions. Best way to find the Santa Fe Demolition Contractor.
One striking element of the film was that SAPD police cars resembled GM Ultralite concept cars—100mpg carbon fiber hypermilers capable of 100mpg fuel economy—in their construction. Unlike most futuristic films, this one utilized real future automobiles.
1. 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30
Oldsmobile 442s were at the height of Oldsmobile’s performance offerings during its muscle car heyday in the ’70s. First introduced as an option package for two-door Cutlass sedans, the 442 was known for featuring a 4-barrel (Quadrajet) carburetion, a four-on-the-floor shifter, and dual exhausts. By 1971, production had come to an end, and by then, this trim package boasted 270 horsepower (201 kW). Positraction rear ends, gauges, Super Stock wheels, and HD cooling were among other available features.
This 1970 442 W-30 convertible was restored in 2012 to the factory’s original specifications. Finished in Porcelain White with the appropriate set of stripes and equipped with an aluminum diff cover and four-spoke steering wheel, as well as other desirable features, it oozes sophistication.
Peter created two Oldsmobiles for Demolition Man, and this first Oldsmobile is genuinely gorgeous. The other car he had built for Demolition Man was a 1970 Cutlass S converted to right-hand drive and fitted with a Chrysler Hemi V8, but something more special eluded him until an acquaintance told him about a 442 W-30 in Broke, NSW that was virtually factory original aside from its metallic purple hue he claims is an exact match to Mopar’s Plum Crazy Purple paint color – which he claims matches Mopar’s Plum Crazy Purple paint exactly; big enough too with its 400 cubic inch engine and W-30 package included!
2. GM Ultralite
The 1992 GM Ultralite concept vehicle, created to showcase advanced materials and new technology, was intended to demonstrate what could be accomplished using such technologies. Led by Burt Rutan (who went on to design the production EV1 electric car), the design team at GM created an all-electric four-passenger show car capable of 100 MPG combined city/highway driving without compromising passenger room, handling, acceleration performance, or emissions emissions.
The Ultralite was constructed of carbon fiber and featured gullwing doors that opened for easy entry and exit for passengers. It boasted an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.19, which contributed to its fuel efficiency; moreover, there was no B-pillar, and it featured an asymmetrical body for structural stiffness. Plus, this car weighed only 1,400 pounds!
Inside its airy cabin was a three-cylinder 1.5L two-stroke engine rated at 111 horsepower. This engine powered a sub-8-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 135 miles per hour. The power pod allowed easy service removal.
Though GM never approved the production of the Ultralite, it did find a place in Demolition Man thanks to its futuristic looks and sci-fi appeal. Sylvester Stallone drives his red Ultralite throughout the movie, which depicts peaceful Southern California society being disrupted by Wesley Snipes, who is the destructive villain.
3. Ford Thunderbird
Ford’s longstanding Thunderbird was still prevalent in the late ’60s despite its lengthy history. It served as both an ideal craft for top-down sunset cruises with special guests and offered sporting capabilities through its agile chassis and powerful 400 cu in (6.6 L) engine option.
In 1957, the T-Bird received several upgrades to stay competitive with its agile sibling, the Mustang. The front bumper now featured dual headlights, while Ford added fin-tails reminiscent of those found on jet fighters to its rear quarter panels.
As the muscle-car era came to a close, manufacturers faced an exciting predicament: two vehicles from their stable competing for similar customers. Ford solved this dilemma by upgrading its Thunderbird to cater to older, wealthier buyers while emphasizing new Mustang models as teens’ favorites.
Ford Thunderbird cars were popular image cars of their time, serving as both image cars and executive express vehicles. Today, a limited run of revived Lazarus T-Birds are being sold with promises they will become collector’s items over time – giving Ford an added showroom boost in turn.
4. Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car that delivers both power and technology in abundance. Its touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive to use, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems work smoothly. Furthermore, its spacious cabin provides plenty of space for drink holders, physical ventilation control panels line its ridge, and a good-sized rotary drive mode controller. Furthermore, there are various helpful features included with it, like nose-lift systems that remember steep driveways via GPS technology, parking assist systems to inform drivers when their car is going backward, etc.
