Film Star cars - Our Shed

By: Glenn Torrens

Date: 23.09.2019

Who knew that Glenn Torrens and his cars get out and about with the glitterati?

No-one took much notice of the two blokes punching-on under the tawdry blue and pink neon lights outside Porky’s strip club in Sydney’s infamous red-light district of Kings Cross. It seemed to be just another typical after-midnight footpath fight, like thousands of other biffos over the decades.

Sitting in my 1980 Volvo 262C coupe, I’d been watching the scuffle but I wasn’t showing any concern either… "Cut!" said a distant voice and the two actors immediately separated. "That was great!" continued the voice.

Another one for the show, a period correct XF Falcon taxi

Next to where the ‘fight’ had been was an XF Falcon with a TAXI sign on top, a ripper Mitsubishi Sigma (a Turbo!), a perfect Datsun Bluebird, an example of Toyota’s last rear-drive Celica, a gorgeous VB Commodore SL sedan and an XB Ford Fairmont. My Volvo and these other 1980s cars were ideal era-correct props for an ABC TV mini-series set in 1985.

Jeez I love your Sigma. Is it a turbo?

It’s about a big red-headed Queenslander, Les Norton, the main character in a series of books penned by Aussie author, the late, great Robert G Barrett. The popular books about bouncer Les and his nefarious mates are filled with plain and simple larrikin Aussie humour, spiced with a hint of Sydney’s underworld of the 1970s and 80s.

The TV producers do a good job with the details such as number plates and this lovely fakey old rego label

One  week later, my brown ’79 VB Commodore wagon – now with temporary TAXI signs – was parked with several other cool cars at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With a few other props scattered around, the Les Norton producers had done quite a convincing job of creating an airport departure lounge.

With several other cars, my Volvo was used to give an 80s vibe to the now-quiet Kings Cross district of Sydney

Mini-series such as Les Norton – plus TV commercials, movies, fashion shoots and soap-operas – need a background of people and cars to create a scene. Over the years I’ve leaned against the wall in the Home & Away diner a few times, worn some hi-vis and a hardhat for a Woolies ad and cheered in a footy promo. Plus, my now-sold red VW Beetle Karmann Cabriolet was a regular in Packed To The Rafters.

White vinyl roof, Landau badge and XB Falcon. Choice, mate

Sometime your car will be driven by an actor and the TV producers usually prefer original, clean, unmodified, showroom-spec cars (noisy exhausts and bling wheels are usually a no-go) and will often cover your car’s rego plates with fake ones.

A rather tasty looking Commodore SL/E. Nice

The pay is modest – as is the number of days you can expect to ‘work’ – but in between the sometimes long waits while cameras and actors are positioned, it’s a good fun way to spend the day or night!

There’s plenty of equipment involved in TV and movie production

Sometimes, too, there is the opportunity for some star-spotting and name-dropping. So, my dear Unique Cars readers, with Les Norton hitting the small screen about now, you can tell your mates you know the owner of that chop-top Volvo and brown Commodore wagon! 

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