Last of the V8 Interceptors
Nov 8, 2002, 10:30 PM
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Nov 8, 2002, 10:35 PM
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The car started life as a standard 1973 XB GT Ford Falcon Coupe, a car exclusive to Australia. And for the first few years of its life, this is pretty much how it stayed.
Then in 1976, film makers Byron Kennedy and George Miller began pre-production on Mad Max. They needed a vehicle to feature in the film as the black police 'Interceptor' - a high performance, evil looking Australian car.
Then in 1976, film makers Byron Kennedy and George Miller began pre-production on Mad Max. They needed a vehicle to feature in the film as the black police 'Interceptor' - a high performance, evil looking Australian car.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:37 PM
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Around the same time, Murray Smith was hired on as part of the Mad Max crew. One of his tasks was to put together the Interceptor, and he started by acquiring the XB Falcon mentioned above. Then Murray, along with Peter Arcadipane, Ray Beckerley, and various others, proceeded to modify the car to what was needed for the film. The main modification is obviously the Concorde front end, and the supercharger protruding through the bonnet (which is for looks only). The Concorde front was a fairly new accessory at the time, designed by Peter Arcadipane at Ford Australia as a showpiece, and later becoming available to the general public due to its popularity. For more information on Peter Arcadipane and his products, see the building a replica section.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:38 PM
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The car also received quite a few other, more minor modifications, to complete the package. For a fairly extensive list of exactly what was done to the car, again please visit the building a replica page. There was only ever one black interceptor built for the first Mad Max.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:39 PM
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Following the production of Mad Max, the car was no longer needed, and was modified once more to make it suitable for use as a standard road car (basically by removing the blower and the side pipes). It was then toured around Melbourne to shopping centres, car shows and so on as part of the promotion done for the film.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:40 PM
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Nov 8, 2002, 10:40 PM
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Following this promotional work, the car was finally put up for sale Surprisingly though, no one at the time was actually interested in buying it!
Nov 8, 2002, 10:42 PM
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In the mean time, this low budget Australian film had gained worldwide success, prompting a sequel. The black interceptor was acquired back by Kennedy Miller for use once more.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:42 PM
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The blower and pipes were put back, although different to the originals, along with changing the rear wheels. The car was further modified to fit the setting of the new film, with large gas tanks fitted in the back, and its general appearance given a more used and stressed look.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:43 PM
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The front end was also modified by removing the bottom section, probably to give more clearance at the front in the outback locations it was required to be driven in for the second film.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:44 PM
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In addition to modifying the original car, a duplicate car was also put together for Mad Max 2. It seems that the duplicate car was used for most of the driving sequences, while the original car was used for all the close ups and interior shots.
Nov 8, 2002, 10:44 PM
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When eventually the story required for the black interceptor to be destroyed in a spectacular crash and burn up sequence, the duplicate car was used, leaving the original more or less intact. However, its use for the filmmakers was over, and the car was collected by a used metal dealer from Broken Hill for scrap, along with several other vehicles from the film, and destined to be destroyed for ever. Or was it...?
