Car coordinator Dennis McCarthy is no stranger to the Fast and the Furious franchise. He was the picture car coordinator on Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious and returns for the hat-trick on Fast Five. The latest installment will feature a hefty 21 cars, including Dom Toretto’s trademark Dodge Charger.
In the last chapter of Fast Five week, we take a look at the many cars of Fast Five during an interview with the film’s car coordinator, Dennis McCarthy. If the last three films don’t give him enough credibility, McCarthy is also the man behind the vehicles of Green Hornet and Death Race.
McCarthy kicked off the interview by telling us the selection of cars is “a lot different” than the previous films. Nearly every cast or crew member interviewed during our set visit mentioned the new look of the cars in Fast Five. Each film has possessed its own vehicular identity, but now that Dom, Brian and the gang are on the run, their car selections are bit less high profile. Of course, low profile cars for car junkies like them aren’t so low profile.
Dennis McCarthy: It’s due to the location and the circumstances. They are down to their last pennies. They’ve transferred all the way from the U.S. on the run down to Brazil, so they don’t have the money to buy a brand new Skyline. So it was just character, environmental, and based on their means.
Now that we know a little more about the relevance of the cars in Fast Five, let’s check out what vehicles will catch some screen time. Of course, some cars are more prevalent than others. Certain characters are attached to certain cars, but other vehicles make brief appearances.
Car Coordinator Chris McCarthy on set of Fast Five in a 1966 Corvette Grand Sport
McCarthy gave us a crash course on the wide range of cars that appear in Fast Five:
DM: Okay so at the beginning of this film the vehicles would be: We have a Pantera – a Classic 1971 Pantera. We have a GT40 – the original one. We have a Corvette Grand Sport – a 1965 Corvette Grand Sport. Those are the first three cars that you see in the opening sequence.
We have a vehicle built – basically we call it the “Heist Truck”. It was kind of a one-off, custom-built vehicle. Big tires. Almost a kind of monster truck style but built for a specific purpose. No flash, no cosmetics, just pure function. That was probably the most challenging sequence of the film, just because we were out in the middle of the desert at 120 degrees, in the sand and the dirt. Just keeping things running in those conditions is always tough.
We have the Charger back. We have the ’70 Charger back. Basically when you first see the guys down in South America, Vin [Diesel]’s in his Charger, as you’ve seen it out here. It’s not quiet the same. It’s not as flashy. It doesn’t have the motor. He’s trying to make it a little bit more inconspicuous so he could make it all the way down. That’s when you see Paul Walker in the ’72 Skyline. Another car you see down there is the character Han has a Ford Maverick, which seems like another odd choice but if you look at the cars of South Polo, and Rio, the car culture there, Maverick is one of the top muscle cars. It’s just one of the cars that Ford’s produced down there. So you have Maverick, which is another hot car. Unfortunately we tried to get one here. We have a car called the Chevy Opala. That’s like your Chevy muscle car and your Ford muscle car in South America…
We have a 370Z. We have a brand new Subaru, which Subaru basically donated to our cause. Those cars are once again modified by Rhys Millen. They’re all used here. There’s a sequence where they are zipping through the auto plant, kind of like an obstacle course. We have a Porsche GT3, which is basically something that we cloned. We did bring back a Toyota Supra. Some of those right hand drives are back in. Early Skyline, we have a 2010 Skyline in the film. We have a Lexus LFA, which I was very happy to get.
McCarthy’s car knowledge is unrivaled on the set of Fast Five. Even car enthusiast and star of the film, Paul Walker, has nothing on the experienced car coordinator. Even though CGI has been used to enhance the car chases of the Fast and the Furious franchise, it is important to have a wealth of car knowledge on set to create the most realistic portrayal of the characters we have grown to love.
If the expansive run-through from McCarthy is too bulky for you, check out our condensed list of the Fast Five cars below. He also didn’t mention every vehicle in the film and some of the years are off, but Universal gave us the official dossier and images of each car. Unfortunately, they’ve asked us not to share the photos in an effort to keep the essence of Fast Five under wraps. Rest assured, the cars look awesome and are worth the wait.
- 1963 Ford Galaxy
- 1966 Ford GT40
- 1966 Corvette Grand Sport
- 1967 International Scout
- 1970 Charger
- 1970 Ford Maverick
- 1972 Nissan Skyline
- 1972 Pantera Detomaso
- 1996 Toyota Supra
- 2002 Porsche GT3
- 2006 GMC 2500 Yukon
- 2009 Nissan 370Z
- 2010 Dodge Challenger
- 2010 Subaru STi
- 2010 Lexus LFA
- 2010 Modified Vault Chargers
- 2011 Dodge Charger Police Interceptor
- Gurkha LAPV
- Ducati Street Racer
- Train Heist Truck
- Koenigsegg CCX
There are quite a few cars in Fast Five, but it wouldn’t be the same without them. Even though the cast and crew have mentioned that Fast Five takes the spotlight off the vehicles a bit, it will still bring in plenty of car lovers. Needless to say, they won’t be disappointed.
Fast Five Week is officially over and this concludes our coverage from the set visit. Stay tuned as the release date nears for new trailers and TV spots. If you missed any of our coverage from this week, catch up with the franchise with the articles below:
- Fast Five Director Justin Lin: “CGI Never Replaces The Real Thing”
- Paul Walker Talks Being On The Run In Fast Five
- Vin Diesel Says Fast Five is Part of a New Furious Trilogy
- Dwayne Johnson Talks Fast Five: “I’m Still Kicking Ass”
- Fast Five Set Visit Report
Fast Five slides into theaters on April 29th, 2011.
‘Dexter’ Season 8 Trailer: The Hunt Begins – How Will it End? 
‘Game of Thrones’ to End in Season 7? 
‘Pacific Rim’ Featurette Explores ‘Drift Space’; First TV Spot Offers More Action 
‘Halo’ Live-Action TV Series From Steven Spielberg Announced 
No Mustang?
@Oreos
I agree, very odd exclusion, but at least they have the GT40. From the trailer I thought it was the Ford GT but the original GT40 is pretty bad ass to have in the movie too.
Great, now I want some double stuff Oreos, thanks man!!
The mustang is my faverate car. I will not be seeing this movie because there is no mustang in it. LOL.
yeah, exactly…mustang was the one that started the whole pony car revolution
id have loved to see the ‘cuda or torino or the corvette mako concept
@deadpooldeathstroke
Ok, lots of things wrong here. The whole pony car revolution? I think you mean muscle car revolution, “pony car” is a nickname for any Ford Mustang manufactured regardless of year and doesn’t get confused with any other muscle cars made during the muscle car revolution, which if you really want to call it a revolution, you could…but evolution of the American automobile during the sixties and early seventies would be more accurate. Last thing and mainly why I wrote this…is the lame knockoff of a character you have as your icon plus the “I’m going with a theme so I’m gonna make my username reflect my icon” aspect you’re putting on.
Pony car and muscle car are completely different things. The challenger and barracuda are pony cars. Pony cars were stylized compact cars. Maybe do some research before criticizing what someone else says.
@Igdomanious
Uh, actually, you’re wrong, “pony car” is a term for a class of cars that was started by the Ford Mustang, thus the name, it doesn’t mean it IS a Mustang. A Chevy Camaro is considered a “pony car.” A muscle car is a term generally used to describe cars with a certain size and output motor.
The mustang is overused in my opinion. I love the 65 but I see it in nearly every movie I watch.
@Bob
There’s a good reason for that. Not only is the Ford Mustang a very important car in terms of the history of cars, but it’s also one of the most iconic, successful, and bad ass cars ever made.
I agree Ken!
That doesn’t mean they need to put a Mustang in every movie. And aside from the bad ass part, the same can be said of the Dodge Caravan.
@Bob
Um… riiiiggghhhttt….
KEN UR SO,RIGJT
I OWN A 90. 25TH EDITION. 5 speed
5.0. HATCH
WHICH WILL RUN CIRCLES AROUND A GT. DUE TO IT ONE BEING LIGHTER AND TWO,THIS CHICK CAN DRIVE….
RO ROCK ON FORD. LEE Iacocca new his stuff.
Http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang. Read this tells all
hmm
Its dodge you should be thank for its challenger,cuda,charger,dart. 70′s owned by mopar.
i know the 1964 pontiac G.T.O got billed as the frist Muscle cars, BUT Mopar had been putting duel carb 392s and 413s in almost everything in the late 50s into the 60s Ever held down the go pedal in a 3 speed 413 in say a 1960 chrysler adventure untill it runs out of numbers, then come back and tell me about a pony car, cause you got a real good look at those tail lights untill they were covered by tire smoke
My dreams cars : Toyota Supra & Lexus LFA…..
the 2009 GTR is not on the list. Now the movie is not worth seeing. its all about the skylines. the 72 is nice and all but they had a r34 in all the movies except tokyo drift. so then where is the r34 at least
nvm. i jumped the gun but there shud still b a r34. gotta keep yup the tradition
The “Mona Lisa” Sean drives at the beginning is an R34.
mustang = played out… and now seen as a chick car
dave,
I dunno, the newest Mustang looks pretty tough – you don’t think it does?
Vic
@dave
Yah I agree, 390lb-ft of torque from a 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 with independent valve timing is totally a chick’s car. I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of these things that can match a BMW M3 on the track, I’m just too manly. Give me a smart car instead…
The pony car is a sub area of the muscle car area and the pony car is not used anymore more performance car these days. The GTo being the first muscle car. The Barracuda and Mustang were the same bases. A standard car with a v8 put into it to make it faster. Hence the GTO had the same idea but was a Tempest or Lemans. Plus you forgot that a mustang has had a big block 429 which was in the torrino and cyclone both muscle cars by ford. But I think it’s weird to show off a 72 skyline, since it had only a 6 making 100 horsepower.
Why did they change the evo’s for sti’s???? fast & furious was born with the evo’s
No EVO..!!
Hey, this movie needs some Dub action in it.
At least they have the charger in it
Ha. Some of you guys don’t seem to know much about cars! The GT40 was in it’s time just as much if not more ‘bad ass’ than it’s newer version. Name me a skyline with more than 6 pistons. The old ones used to have 4! Quite right about evos being asthetically better than subarus but stis seem to be free. Mustangs have not been good sellers although the fastbacks were iconic from their film use. Muscle cars are great but the history of important cars really belongs to the Europeans, ferraris, lambos, Aston martins, mercedes etc. cars that go round corners. the gt40 was the best American car ever and that was built with British engineering. Hats off to dodge though, 70s challenger and chargers are stunning as is the stingray.
Your history of important cars is your opinion and you’re entitled to it. But I’ll take a 71 cuda over your ferarri or lamborghini any day of the week.
there was a skyline in tokyo drift….. the r34 and r33
Dodge Charger 1970 the best
Mustangs! Gee guys, I was always a fan of “stangs” but they are as common as a running nose now days! You see ‘em on every corner, in every city, in every state, in every country! Please…… no more Mustangs in movies!
Only the base models.
I’m not seeimg alot of SHELBYS Jettin town. Mustangs are an ICON OF America, like CHEVY hot dogs popcorn baseball, football and Beer where would we be today without all those great. Things?????????
no RVO no GTR r34,r35,no mustang,cammaro,rx7……damn,I woried about this movie
I woried about this movie the actor’s is ok,but car list is no good,no GTR r34,r35 the Charger and GTR made this movie 72 is stupid idea,I dont know but I just ask Mr.Lin what is this???
Es hoot cars
this movie is super hooot damn
Thses cars are SICK, I can’t wait for this moive.
Count down is on.
Where does Tokyo drift fit in because han dies in t.d but he is in the fast and furious and is he going to be in the fast five?
well t.d. was suppose to come out after fast and furious, but they released it early.
No Z06? They should of put that car in the F&F series because its been kicking ass since 2001. I love that they brought back the Supra.
I think they should have had a newer skyline between 94 and 01
Ya I agree with you about the nissan skyline
I don’t know what everyone is talking about you are all just arguing about your favorite cars. And if you paid attention the car dom steals from the impound lot in the last film was an sti wagon(which I think was a nice change from the evo), if you knew anything about the evo or sti they are pretty closely matched. My last thing is who cares what cars are in this film from what I’ve seen this movie is taking a turn to do something different and use some not so common cars
I’m a bit of a Subaru fanboy so I have this anal retentive need to correct you. The STi used in the last flick was not a wagon. It was the hatchback.
damnnnn hot cars
THEY SHOULDVE ADDED MORE JDM CARS…. SKYLINE, AND THE SUPRA AINT JUST ENOUGH…. BUT I HOPE THERE WILL BE MORE JDM CARS OR JAPANESE CARS FOR THE 6TH MOVIE…. & HOPEFULLY THEY ADD MORE OLDSCHOOLS LIKE THE AE86, FD, TYPE R, EK, EG, EF, & WHAT NOT
Hey, you know if you hit the caps lock button again it goes off right?? Just making sure…
lolz sorry for snapping….
don’t get me wrong my two favorite cars are the 02 FD RX-7 and the 06 STI, but all of your picks sound like they are better off for the Initial D series and not F&F
i agree with u bro, dey shud hav more japanese performance especially honda type R’s and top quality mitsubishi’s
Yah man, they should put that Honda that I just smoked with my 5300 pound F-150 truck in this movie, because it’ll be so awesome!
what r u talking about? a honda? hondas are bunk
i agree with you 100%. F&F are going the same way as the need for speed games. In the first movie it is about guys racing cars that every street racer dreems of like TYPE R and the Skylins and so on. They talked about engin parts and stuff. It was like the people did thing that revolved around the cars, but now it is like the people do things and drive mad cars. It is now getting to be just another movie with cars and unlike the first movie that went about cars.
i hope they are saying the evo10 and skyline grtr35 for fnf 6 because those are newest and bets JDM cars at the moment and im tired of seen the gtr34 in fnd even tho i love them,as for the sti i hate the hatchback and i hate of subaru has killed sti rally heratige and have gone into compiting with ford focus and golf gti pfft i old school subs are the best,anyways its seems fast5 is more about action then cars and i like that they got the ford gt thats a beast of a car,hopefully its better then the last fnf and as good as the first 1
its best if they bring some OLDSCHOOLS back and add some NEWSCHOOL…. gonna be 1 EPIC MOVIE if they do that