Cars in Miami Vice

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Cars of Miami Vice mainly involve the Ferrari Daytona Spyder and the Ferrari Testarossa, but also include other automobiles driven by the characters on the show. Currently the Ferrari Daytona (kit car) used on the show, and the Ferrari Testarossa stunt car both reside in Kingsport, Tennessee to Carl Roberts of Carl Roberts Motor Group.[1]

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[edit] Daytona Spyder

Don Johnson with both the 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 and the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa.
Don Johnson with both the 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 and the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa.

During the first two seasons and two episodes from the third season, Detective Sonny Crockett drove a midnight black 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 with a Florida license plate ZAQ178.[2] Although Tom McBurnie is credited with planting the Daytona Spyder in the mind of the public, it's actually Al Mardekian, an importer of gray-market exoticars, who originally sold Miami Vice two look-alike Ferrari's for $49,000 each.[1] McBurnie was hired to build the bodies for the Corvette-chassised cars.[1] It was blown to pieces with a hand-held Stinger missile launcher during an illegal arms deal.[3] The Ferrari used in the first two seasons was a kit replica based on a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 chassis that had been modified with Pininfarina-designed body panels by specialty car manufacturer McBurnie.[4] (Little known fact: The first appearance of the Daytona in the pilot episode is actually a real Ferrari. It only gets about ten seconds of screen time. The car is stationary, and Sonny is sitting in the driver’s seat, reading a newspaper. It can be clearly identified as a real Daytona (American version) by the door handles, side markers, windshield rake, and side vent windows.)

Although the Daytona was a hit with the fans, the Ferrari hierarchy, it seemed, was incensed at the weekly bastardization of the regal; the Daytona portrayed on Miami Vice was a kit car, more dog-and-pony than prancing horse.[1] Together, the pinstripe suits at Ferrari and Turbo Sunglasses of Hollywood cut a deal. They'd blow the svelte imposter out of the consciousness of the American public.[1]

[edit] Testarossa

"Why beat a real Ferrari to death with power slides and 180s or mar its flawless skin with camera mounts for tight driver's shots when a stand-in stunt car could do the job quite nicely?"
Carl Roberts[5]

Enzo Ferrari who was growing furious at these copycats who were taking his name and styling filed a lawsuit asking McBurnie and four others to stop producing and selling Ferrari replicas.[1] Miami Vice producers on the other hand wanted no legal troubles and accepted Ferrari's offer of two free Testarossas, on the condition that the fakers be demolished.[5] Unbeknown to Carl Roberts, that the Testarossa was replacing the Daytona, he offered to build two new Daytona's for the 1987 season (third season of Miami Vice).[5] When he learned that the Daytona was out, Roberts proposed a trade.[5] He would build Miami Vice a Testarossa stunt car in return for the doomed Daytona.[5] Carl's original plan was to remove the Daytona skin from the Corvette and replace it with Testarossa body pieces, but this resulted in poor results and lead to Roberts to devise another plan.[5][4]

The Ferrari Testarossa used in the episode, Freefall.
The Ferrari Testarossa used in the episode, Freefall.

Roberts searched and found a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, which was perfectly suited for the Testarossa body pieces.[5][4] The Pantera was rigidly modified to withstand the duties of filming.[4] It was raised 1.5 inches for additional ground clearance,[5] 2.5 inch wall-thick square tubing was used to prevent potential roof buckling and added a reinforcing railing that doubles as a skid plate,[5] an auxiliary braking system designed to assist drivers in controlled spins, the master cylinder was repositioned in the brake line to enable it to feed the rear wheels enabling the driver to lock the aft end on command, and the auxiliary master cylinder utilizes the original master cylinder's reservoir and is installed in series with the outlet of the original master cylinder port leading to the rear wheels.[5] When the stock brake is applied, fluid passes freely through the stunt master cylinder inlet port and compensating port and out the exhaust port to the rear wheels.[5] When the stunt brake is applied, the piston in the master cylinder blocks off the compensating port to the exhaust port and pressurizes the rear brake system, cutting off the original brake master cylinder besides the compensating port in the stunt brake.[5] BF Goodrich TA's were added for enhanced stick, as were Tilton brake calipers. The improved traction required installation of a hydraulic in-line brake power booster lifted from a Volvo P-1800.[5] It operates on engine vacuum to aid in breaking loose the pavement-hugging TA's.[5] To further enhance the growl of the vehicle, Robert's team installed a NOS port-injected nitrous system, which was later replaced with a plate-type configuration.[5] He also replaced the carborator replacing the stock with a Predator which reduces fuel lag.[5][4] A Modine all-aluminum four-core radiator was used to guard against Miami's hot weather, and liquid Auto-Meter gauges to monitor the temperature.[5]

In the second episode of the third season,[6][4] Crockett complained to Lt. Castillo about driving vehicles that did not fit his high-roller image; that he was going around "looking like Li'l Abner", to which Castillo told him "It's out back." Sonny was delighted to find his new white 1986 Ferrari Testarossa, Florida license plate ATF00M.[6]

[edit] Other Characters

Ricardo Tubbs drove a 1963 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Convertible.[7][4][8][9] Stan Switek drove a turquoise 1963 Ford Thunderbird.[4] Gina Calabrese drove an 1971 Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible.[citation needed] When Stan and Larry were undercover, they drove a Dodge Ram Van.[10][11] Crockett's ex-wife drove a 1983 Ford LTD Country Squire.[12][11]

[edit] Notable cars

Other notable vehicles that appeared in Miami Vice (other than a Ferrari), that were driven by villains, police officers, and other characters on the show included, brands such as Lamborghini, AMG Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Maserati, Lotus, DeLorean, Porsche, and Corvettes. American muscle cars, such as the GTO, Trans Am, Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, or a Plymouth Barracuda also made appearances.

[edit] Season 1

[edit] Season 2

[edit] Season 3

[edit] Season 4

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Spaise, Kevin (September 1987). "Twice as Vice". Kit Car: pg. 14. 
  2. ^ "When Irish Eyes Are Crying". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-09-26. No. 45, season 3.
  3. ^ Spaise, Kevin (September 1987). "Twice as Vice". Kit Car: pg. 13. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Gromer, Cliff (Jul. 1987). "The Cars of Miami Vice". Popular Mechanics 164 (7): P. 85. Heartst Corp.. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Spaise, Kevin (September 1987). "Twice as Vice". Kit Car: pg. 15. 
  6. ^ a b "Stone's War". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-10-03. No. 46, season 3.
  7. ^ "Give a Little, Take a Little". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-12-07. No. 10, season 1.
  8. ^ Jeremy Rosenberg and Julie Pittman (2006-06-30). ForbesAutos Top 10 Lists: Miami Vice. Forbes Autos/Universal Studios. Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
  9. ^ Miersma, Seyth. "Drop-Tops and Flip-Flops: The Complete Miami Vice Series on DVD", Winding Road, 2008-01-26. Retrieved on 2008-02-03. 
  10. ^ a b "The Maze". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-02-01. No. 17, season 1.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989. Internet Movie Car Database. www.imcdb.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-10-19. No. 4, season 1.
  13. ^ a b "Brother's Keeper". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-09-16. No. 1, season 1.
  14. ^ a b c "Little Prince". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-12-14. No. 11, season 1.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Definitely Miami". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-01-10. No. 12, season 2.
  16. ^ a b c d "Heart of Darkness". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-09-28. No. 2, season 1.
  17. ^ a b c "Cool Runnin'". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-10-05. No. 3, season 1.
  18. ^ "One Eyed Jack". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-11-02. No. 6, season 1.
  19. ^ a b "No Exit". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-11-09. No. 7, season 1.
  20. ^ a b c "Glades". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-11-30. No. 9, season 1.
  21. ^ a b "Milk Run". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-12-14. No. 12, season 1.
  22. ^ a b "Golden Triangle: Part I". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-01-11. No. 13, season 1.
  23. ^ a b c "Golden Triangle: Part II". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-01-18. No. 14, season 1.
  24. ^ a b c "Smuggler's Blues". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-02-01. No. 15, season 1.
  25. ^ a b c d "Made for Each Other". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-03-08. No. 18, season 1.
  26. ^ a b c d e "The Home Invaders". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1984-03-15. No. 19, season 1.
  27. ^ a b c "Evan". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-05-03. No. 21, season 1.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Prodigal Son". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-09-27. No. 1, season 2.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989. Internet Movie Car Database. www.imcdb.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
  30. ^ a b c d e f "Whatever Works". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-10-04. No. 2, season 2.
  31. ^ a b "The Dutch Oven". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-10-25. No. 4, season 2.
  32. ^ a b c "Phil the Shill". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-12-13. No. 11, season 2.
  33. ^ a b c "Buddies". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-11-01. No. 5, season 2.
  34. ^ a b "Junk Love". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-11-08. No. 6, season 2.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g "Tale of the Goat". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-11-15. No. 7, season 2.
  36. ^ "Bought and Paid For". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-11-29. No. 9, season 2.
  37. ^ a b c d "Back in the World". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1985-12-06. No. 10, season 2.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Florence Italy". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-02-14. No. 16, season 2.
  39. ^ a b c "Yankee Dollar". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-01-17. No. 13, season 2.
  40. ^ a b "One Way Ticket". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-01-24. No. 14, season 2.
  41. ^ "French Twist". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-02-21. No. 17, season 2.
  42. ^ a b "The Fix". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-03-07. No. 18, season 2.
  43. ^ "Free Verse". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-04-04. No. 20, season 2.
  44. ^ "Trust Fund Pirates". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-05-02. No. 21, season 2.
  45. ^ a b c d e f "When Irish Eyes Are Crying". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-09-26. No. 1, season 3.
  46. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989. Internet Movie Car Database. www.imcdb.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
  47. ^ a b "Stone's War". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-10-03. No. 2, season 3.
  48. ^ "Kill Shot". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-10-10. No. 3, season 3.
  49. ^ a b c d e f "Walk-Alone". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-10-17. No. 4, season 3.
  50. ^ a b c d e f "The Good Collar". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-10-24. No. 5, season 3.
  51. ^ "Shadow In The Dark". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-10-31. No. 6, season 3.
  52. ^ a b "El Viejo". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-11-07. No. 7, season 3.
  53. ^ "Better Living Through Chemistry". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-11-14. No. 8, season 3.
  54. ^ a b c "Baby Blues". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-11-21. No. 9, season 3.
  55. ^ a b c d e f "Streetwise". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1986-12-05. No. 10, season 3.
  56. ^ "Contempt of Court". Miami Vice. NBC, Miami, Florida. 1987-09-25. No. 1, season 4.
  57. ^ Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989. Internet Movie Car Database. www.imcdb.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-11.