A scale model of FAB1 produced by Konami |
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| First appearance | Thunderbirds |
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| Affiliation | Lady Penelope |
FAB1 is the name given to the pink six-wheeled car in the Thunderbirds franchise.[1]
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In the original Supermarionation TV series Thunderbirds (1965–66), as well as the films Thunderbirds Are GO (1966)[2] and Thunderbird 6 (1967)[3], FAB1 is a modified Rolls-Royce. Owned by Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, the car is usually driven by her chauffeur Parker. The driver sits in a central position at the front of the passenger compartment, which is covered by a bulletproof bubble canopy. The car has been modified by Brains, inventor of the Thunderbirds machines, with gadgets and gizmos, including heavy artillery concealed behind the radiator grille and front and rear headlights, though in 'Perils of Penelope' grappling hooks are shot out of the rear headlight space. It is also equipped with smokescreen- and oil-dispensors, extendable tyre-studs for increased traction, and hydrofoils or outriggers for travel on water or snow respectively. Rolls-Royce supplied a radiator grille complete with Spirit of Ecstasy for close-up shots of the car.
A full-sized replica of FAB1, based on a Chinese-six (four in front, two in back), Bedford Duple Vega coach chassis, was constructed to transport Gerry and Sylvia Anderson to the London premiere of Thunderbirds Are GO (the vehicle broke down within a few hundred yards of departure and Gerry and Sylvia were forced to take a taxi cab to the premiere). However Rolls-Royce were not impressed by the car, which had a very poorly executed fibreglass body, and made several attempts to purchase it and have it destroyed. For a time they succeeded in forcing the removal of the genuine, RR grille which was replaced by a replica, bearing the initials LP instead. The vehicle survived and now fully restored, resides at the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum in Keswick, Cumbria.[4] Gerry Anderson went on to have a further, full-sized FAB 1 constructed. This time the vehicle was an extended Rolls Royce, Silver Spirit. The bonnet line was extended to house the Chinese-six wheel arrangement, with double Ackerman steering. The vehicle does not have the bubble top or centre steering position of the original, and apart from the pink paint and re-trim, the passenger compartment is stock Rolls.
FAB2, Lady Penelope's yacht, appeared in the Thunderbirds episode "The Man From MI.5" but was apparently lost by Parker in a game of poker.[5]
FAB3 is a racehorse owned by Lady Penelope. It is kept at Ascot Stables and has won numerous derby races. FAB1 top speed: 200mph.
In the live-action film Thunderbirds (2004) the car was still pink and had six wheels and a glass canopy (now tinted). The Ford Motor Company supplied the prop — a heavily modified Ford Thunderbird.
The vehicle supplied by Ford was actually fully functional (except that it couldn't fly), completely road-legal and appeared in a segment on UK motoring show Top Gear where it was road-tested by James May. He noted that it wasn't the most practical car ever conceived, mostly due to its excessive length which made it difficult to drive through small English villages.
The boot panels would open to expose the gas turbine engine before flight and wings would extend from the undercarriage. During flight, the rear set of wheels folds into the vehicle's body completely. This prevents them from creating unnecessary drag and so slowing the aircraft down.
Skis for going over heavy snow are also added to the vehicle. The bullet-proof, run-flat tires are fitted with studs in order to give extra traction.
The central passenger compartment of FAB1 doubles as an emergency life raft in the event of an emergency at sea. Buoyancy tanks hidden in the body paneling ensure that the compartment remains afloat after it has broken away from the rest of the vehicle.
The FAB1 used in filming is displayed at the Heritage Motor Centre.[6]
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