Fast and Furious Cars: Behind the Scenes with Dennis McCarthy

Summary

In this article, we delve into the world of the Fast and Furious franchise’s cars with Dennis McCarthy, the head of vehicles for the movies. He shares insights on the modifications made to the cars, the number of gears used in different scenes, and his favorite cars. We also answer questions about the stunts and carnage in the movies and explain the four strokes of a car engine.

Car Modifications and Gear Selection
Stunts and Carnage in the Fast and Furious Movies
Understanding the Four Strokes of a Car Engine
Conclusion

Car Modifications and Gear Selection

Dennis McCarthy explains that the cars used in the Fast and Furious franchise are often modified to fit the scene. For instance, they added a manual six-speed to a Dodge Daytona in Fast Six. The number of gears used in the cars varies depending on the scene, but they try to make it match what’s happening on screen. In Fast Eight, they used a transmission from a tractor to make a car go in reverse at high speed.

McCarthy’s favorite car ever made is the Chrysler Turbine car, which was turbine-powered. He also loves the 427 Cobra for its horsepower and small size. The goal for the Fast and Furious franchise is always to top what they did previously.

Stunts and Carnage in the Fast and Furious Movies

We answer questions about the stunts and carnage in the Fast and Furious movies, including how many cars were wrecked during filming and how the famous “driving under the truck” scene was accomplished. McCarthy does not provide a specific number of cars wrecked during filming, but he does mention that they try to minimize the number of cars destroyed. As for the “driving under the truck” scene, they used a special rig to accomplish it.

We also discuss what kind of car someone with a “douchey personality” should buy to make up for it. McCarthy humorously suggests a Prius, but he also notes that people should buy cars that they like and not worry about what others think.

Understanding the Four Strokes of a Car Engine

The text explains the four strokes of a car engine, with the piston going up and down to create a vacuum that pulls in air and fuel, which is then ignited by a spark plug to create an explosion that forces the piston down. The exhaust valve then opens, and the spent gases are expelled. We briefly touch on the debate between supercharged and turbocharged engines, with both having their pros and cons.

Conclusion

Dennis McCarthy’s insights into the cars used in the Fast and Furious franchise provide a glimpse into the world of movie-making. From car modifications to gear selection, the team behind the movies strives to make each scene more exciting than the last. And while the stunts and carnage in the movies may be exaggerated, it’s still a thrill to watch.