If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you may have found yourself wondering about the color of the infamous family car. The Griswold family’s station wagon has become a symbol of the film itself, and its color has been the topic of much debate over the years.
So, what color is the car in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? Let’s explore.
Origins of the Family Car
Before we dive into the color debate, let’s take a moment to appreciate this iconic vehicle. The Griswold family station wagon is a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire. This classic American car was a popular choice for families in its time, known for its spaciousness and reliability.
The Color Debate
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: what color is the car in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? Some argue that it is green, while others insist it is blue. So who’s right?
The truth is that both sides have some evidence to support their claims. In some scenes, the car appears to be a blueish-green color that could be described as “teal.” In other scenes, it appears to be more of a true green shade.
What Do The Experts Say?
To settle this debate once and for all, we turned to experts in film production and automotive design.
According to Randy Heronemus, who worked as an art director on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, “The station wagon was painted ‘Metallic Pea,’ which was a Ford paint color from 1979. The paint had metal flakes in it which gave it an iridescent quality.”
While this doesn’t definitively answer whether the car is green or blue, it does confirm that it wasn’t just one solid color.
Additionally, Ford’s official color chart from 1979 includes a shade called “Dark Jade” that some argue is a close match for the car’s color.
Conclusion
So, what color is the car in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? The answer is that it’s both green and blue, depending on the lighting and scene. However, we now know that the official color name is “Metallic Pea” with an iridescent quality.
Regardless of its exact shade, the Griswold family station wagon remains an iconic symbol of the film and a beloved piece of pop culture nostalgia.