Saturday, May 23, 2009

THUNDERBIRDS TV SERIES

In the original Supermarionation TV series Thunderbirds (1965-1966), as well as the films Thunderbirds Are GO (1966) and Thunderbird 6 (1967), 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. 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 six-wheeled Bedford coach chassis, was constructed to transport Gerry and Sylvia Anderson to the London premiere of Thunderbirds Are GO. However Rolls-Royce were not impressed by the car and made several attempts to purchase it and have it destroyed. The vehicle survived and now resides at the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum in Keswick, Cumbria.

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