If you’re a fan of classic comedies, you’ve probably seen National Lampoon’s Vacation. The movie is a cult classic and has become a staple in American pop culture.
It tells the story of the Griswold family and their hilarious misadventures on a road trip across the country. One of the most memorable parts of the movie is the car that they drive, a metallic pea green 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon. But what happened to this iconic vehicle after filming wrapped up?
The Car’s Role in National Lampoon’s Vacation
Before we get into what happened to the car, let’s take a brief look at its role in the movie. The car was owned by Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, and was used to transport his family across the country on their ill-fated vacation. The car was as much a character in the movie as any of the actors, and its appearance on screen became an instant classic.
The car was not only memorable for its unique color but also for its wood-paneled sides and massive size. It became an instant symbol of family vacations from that era and has remained so ever since.
The Fate of the Car
So what happened to this iconic vehicle after filming wrapped up? According to reports, several different cars were used during filming, but only one survived intact. That car was eventually sold off at an auction in 2013 for $71,000.
The winning bidder was a car collector named Wade Kawasaki who had been searching for this particular vehicle for years. He had previously owned another Country Squire wagon that he had customized to look like Clark Griswold’s car from the movie but had always wanted to own one of the actual cars used in filming.
After purchasing the car, Kawasaki showed it off at various events and even took it on road trips with his family. He has since sold the car, but its legacy lives on.
- The Car’s Legacy
The car from National Lampoon’s Vacation has become a pop culture icon and is instantly recognizable to anyone who has seen the movie. Its appearance in the film helped cement its place in American history, and it has remained a beloved symbol of family vacations ever since.
In fact, the car has become so iconic that it was even featured in a Super Bowl commercial in 2020. The commercial reunited Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, who played Clark Griswold’s wife, Ellen, in the movie. The two reminisced about their time on set and drove around town in the famous station wagon.
The Impact of National Lampoon’s Vacation
National Lampoon’s Vacation was released in 1983 and went on to become a classic comedy that is still enjoyed by audiences today. The movie spawned several sequels, including European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation.
The success of the movie also helped launch the careers of Chevy Chase and director Harold Ramis. It also inspired a generation of comedies that followed in its wake, such as Planes, Trains and Automobiles and The Hangover.
Conclusion
The car from National Lampoon’s Vacation may have had a short stint on screen but its impact has lasted for decades. It has become an iconic symbol of family vacations from that era and remains beloved by fans all over the world.
While we may never know what happened to all of the cars used during filming, we do know that at least one survived intact and is now cherished by a car collector who recognizes its place in cinematic history.