'64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

[Duke W.]

...saw this movie for the first time this week although I've been aware of it for decades. Had I known it featured a '64 Convertible I would have watched it years ago.

William Hurt is an inept, low rent lawyer who drives what would have been a 17 year old car at the time. The top is always down, night and day. I recognized it immediately as a '64 in the opening shot, which is from the driver's perspective and then across the car where I could make out the door panels and chrome door release ball.

What struck me as odd was the red dash pads and white door panels and seats. The exterior is faded red, and it's not clear that it is the original Riverside red.

So I checked the NCRS Spec Guide and, sure enough, interior code 491DE is a "white" interior with red dash and carpet. Has anyone ever seen this combination before? I expect it's fairly rare.

BTW, it's a racy and good movie with an interesting plot and a good cast of what were, at the time, relatively unknown actors.

Duke

[Michael J.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

That is a good movie, and like "White Sands" does have a nice Corvette at center stage. I have never seen that color combo before, and I have looked at quite a few '64s.

[Bill M.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

There was a movie years ago about a bank robbery and the crooks hid the money in a ( I think ) 67 red convertible. The car was sold the next day and the crooks spend the whole movie chasing down the guys who bought the car. They had no idea why they were being chased. Any body familiar with the movie? The lead crook was a black haired woman.

[Paul Y.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

Duke, I had a girl friend whose dad bought her a saddle 64 coupe with saddle and white interior and it was beautiful.

...saw this movie for the first time this week although I've been aware of it for decades. Had I known it featured a '64 Convertible I would have watched it years ago.

William Hurt is an inept, low rent lawyer who drives what would have been a 17 year old car at the time. The top is always down, night and day. I recognized it immediately as a '64 in the opening shot, which is from the driver's perspective and then across the car where I could make out the door panels and chrome door release ball.

What struck me as odd was the red dash pads and white door panels and seats. The exterior is faded red, and it's not clear that it is the original Riverside red.

So I checked the NCRS Spec Guide and, sure enough, interior code 491DE is a "white" interior with red dash and carpet. Has anyone ever seen this combination before? I expect it's fairly rare.

BTW, it's a racy and good movie with an interesting plot and a good cast of what were, at the time, relatively unknown actors.

Duke

[John F.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

...saw this movie for the first time this week although I've been aware of it for decades. Had I known it featured a '64 Convertible I would have watched it years ago.

William Hurt is an inept, low rent lawyer who drives what would have been a 17 year old car at the time. The top is always down, night and day. I recognized it immediately as a '64 in the opening shot, which is from the driver's perspective and then across the car where I could make out the door panels and chrome door release ball.

What struck me as odd was the red dash pads and white door panels and seats. The exterior is faded red, and it's not clear that it is the original Riverside red.

So I checked the NCRS Spec Guide and, sure enough, interior code 491DE is a "white" interior with red dash and carpet. Has anyone ever seen this combination before? I expect it's fairly rare.

BTW, it's a racy and good movie with an interesting plot and a good cast of what were, at the time, relatively unknown actors.

Duke

Ya, back in 67 a friend purchased a used 64 coupe with those colors from Jay Kline Chevrolet. Believe he paid $2,700. Besides the neat color combination, it was optioned with 365 (4.11 rear), leather interior, a/c, power brakes and windows. Fantastic car when he bought it, not much left when sold a few years later.

My theory on the options was someone with big bucks ordered everything available without the hassle of fuel injection and knock offs.

[Alan D.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

There's a guy in Acton Mass who loves 64, especially red and white. As I recall Dennis Pacey had a convertible and coupe both red and white at the same time. Bet he has a good idea on these!

A little reach but the code in the 64 judging guide for the convertible of 491CE for a two tone, white & black is incorrect, SB 491CB Correct code appears in other GM books and "Authentication Library"

[Bill L.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

Several years ago a dealer in the Scottsdale area had a similar '64 for sale --- very striking appearance for sure --- can't say the same for the veracity of the mechanicals on that car---- oh well......

Regards
Bill

[Joe R.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

I along with Paul Adams and Vance Shapley had the opportunity to start the 1964 class at Bloomington Gold when 1963's numbers reached above 10 in the class. We had the opportunity to see many red/white and blue/white interiors thru the years that we judged. Those Corvettes always attracted more people than all the rest combined. Yes, they were Very Striking and usually got the Gold!

JR

[Tim G.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

I have a good picture of the brand new interior somewhere, but here's Ken Robbs car brand new with its red and white interior. The carpet and dash were red. This still is a wonderful car.

[Tim G.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

Here's the picture I was looking for, it doesn't get any prettier than this. The plastic covers are still on the seats from the factory.

[Sean S.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

Bill,

The movie is 'Stingray' by Avco Embassy Pictures from 1978.
The woman is Sherry Jackson.
It was sort of a B-movie/drive-in-type-flick.
Was somewhat of a big deal in the midwest as it was filmed in/around Edwardsville, IL...right across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
Know it's on VHS (remember that?)...maybe DVD. VHS was released as 'Stingray', but there was another title used too.

Both 'Stingray' and Corvette Summer came out in 1978. I understand the working title for Corvette Summer was Stingray, but the Sherry Jackson film came out first, so Mark Hamill and company settled on Corvette Summer.

Cheers,
Sean

[Michael J.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

Cool movie, here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht18I8PgHcs

[Bill M.]

Re: '64 Corvette in the movie "Body Heat" (1981)

Thanks Sean I have to try and find the movie. though it may not be as good as I remember.
Bill