If you recall, Mr. Black, at the time riding "the only thing he loves", has a horrific crash as a result of being hit with the tasty, handheld Mexican inspired sandwich thrown by Mr. Burgandy.
While he's fine, save for a nasty raspberry on the left side of his face, things don't go so well for Ron's "best friend", Baxter. While Baxter is ultimately ok, thank goodness, the same can't be said for Ron's car. No, it was never in an accident but I wish it had been totaled.
While he's fine, save for a nasty raspberry on the left side of his face, things don't go so well for Ron's "best friend", Baxter. While Baxter is ultimately ok, thank goodness, the same can't be said for Ron's car. No, it was never in an accident but I wish it had been totaled.
The casting of a 1970 Pontiac Catalina as "Ron's car" is a curious one. Sure, it looks ridiculous and perhaps it's not meant to really be anything as the "Family Truckster" was in the first "Vacation" movie. Then again we are talking about a major Hollywood production where no detail is allegedly overlooked.
The Pontiac Catalina was a full-size car made by GM's late, sometimes great but more often than not fairly poor to mediocre Pontiac division between 1950 and 1981. Stuck between Chevrolet and Oldsmobile on GM's vaunted "pricing-ladder", you can't say Pontiac didn't roll the design dice using the same platforms and design clay that all the other GM divisions used. Taking those kind of risks is hit or miss and through my foggy goggles, Pontiac swung, missed and tossed the bat into the crowd with their one-year-only, full size Pontiac's that looked like a cross between and Edsel and a dead, beached whale.
All that said, I now run the risk of attempting to put my money where my mouth is and cast a better "Ron Burgandy car."
It's not as easy as it looks. Kitcsh or schtick is subjective and difficult to execute consistently. Seeing the film was a hodge podge of 1970's style and kitsch, why not a 1970 Jaguar XKE? Ron, baby, imagine, you and Veronica top down on Highway 1 smoothing out the esses in Great Britain's finest. Too Austin Powers for you? Maybe. Besides, aren't you like super tall? You might have have trouble fitting in this car.
If you need more leg room, might I suggest another 1970 GM full-size car like this Cadillac Coupe deVille convertible. Bonus - Cadillac's were built on a longer wheelbase than that Catalina allowing for more, ahem, room in the backseat. White leather seats to match your shoes, Ron.
Not gaudy enough? How about 1967 Ford Thunderbird four-door Laundau. Back in the day swingers like Ron usually didn't drive cars with four doors but there's something oh-so-Ron Burgandy about these abominations Ford pushed out between 1967 and 1971.
How about a 1974 Bricklin SV-1? Oh-so-rare and unique, these are actually terrible automobiles that look like they're so much more than they actually are. Just like you, Ron. Well, part of the joke of "Anchorman" is that Ron is a terrible news anchor and everyone knows it. Except, Ron who thinks he's "the balls".
Keeping things period correct for you, Ron, this 1972 Lincoln Mark IV might get your attention. Not quite sure there's a joke to get here seeing how popular these big Mark's where in the '70's but someone of Ron's (perceived) stature should be driving something more like this than some Pontiac.
Gosh, we could go on forever but last but not least, for now, I bequeath to you another unique rolling joke on balloon tires, this 1970, "1937" SS100 Jaguar. This is a "kit car", not a replica. Well, a kit car that emulates another car. So, it' not a replica. That make sense? This is ultimately a VW Beetle with a rattling, hand assembled body bolted down on it.. Odd and pretentious. Anything more "Ron Burgundy" than this?
Kitsch, in film, is difficult to pull off and to explain as well. That's why, in films like the Anchorman movies, it has to be so accessible and have such universal appeal that people will appreciate it and not even realize what it is. I find the Anchorman movies, most Will Ferrell movies now that I think about it, are hard to watch from start to finish because the "joke" wears me out after like twenty minutes or so. However, if there was a joke with Ron's Catalina I've never gotten it.
The ostentatiousness of the car is the joke. He thinks it's awesome yet it looks horrendous, even for its era. Its use may be perfect here. A Lincoln would be too expensive and too "old man" for his swinging era.
ReplyDeleteIf it was in the later '70s, you'd bet Ron Burgundy would have a Chrysler Cordoba based on the sales pitch of rich Corinthian leather.
I really thank you for the valuable info on this great subject and look forward to more great posts. Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty article with me. I am appreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great article. Good luck to the author! All the best! Best Michigan No Fault Car Accident Lawyer 2018 Near Me
ReplyDeleteThe 1970 Catalina was my first car, bought for $699 in 1977. It will always be a favorite of mine. Then again, everybody's first car is their personal favorite, right?
ReplyDeleteThat Lincoln is a Mark IV, not a Mark III.
ReplyDelete