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The police drove Lola T70s in George Lucas’s directorial debut

Chances are you’ve heard of Lamborghini Gallardos and Porsche 356s used in law enforcement roles – although it would take a brave mind to put a light bar and siren on a genuine Lola T70. But that’s exactly what Star Wars creator George Lucas did in his directorial debut, THX 1138…

Given the values of Lola T70s today, you could be forgiven for writing off the two cars that appear in Lucas’s 1971 dystopian cult classic THX 1138 as glassfibre replicas, particularly as kitcar company FiberFab was listed in the credits. But at least one is known to be a genuine T70: chassis SL73/117. First sold as a road car in 1967, it was soon passed on to American actor James Garner’s racing team, where it entered several endurance races and came 2nd at the 1969 Daytona 24 Hours. However, the T70 soon became uncompetitive (thanks to Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512s) and therefore held little value, and it was passed on to Lucas for a second life as the ‘hero car’ in Lucas’s film. Subsequently, it was given to racing driver John Ward as payment for his stunt driving.

Tunnel vision, but no sound

At the time of filming, it appeared the engine of the future would be a gas turbine, following numerous high-profile experiments by major manufacturers in the previous decades. As a result, Lucas decided the T70 police cars in THX 1138 – set in the 25th Century – should be thus equipped, and SL73/117 and its understudy were modified with relevant appendages. “We’d shoot at night because it was the only way we could close off these tunnels… and the tunnels acted like an amplifier,” says Lucas in the film’s DVD commentary. “We had these huge race car sounds coming out at two in the morning, and all the neighbours would call the cops.” However, during post-production those glorious wails were replaced by turbine soundbites, which were manipulated recordings of an F86 Sabre during landing.

Better left alone

The story of the other T70 in the film is not widely known; perhaps it was an original car, or maybe a glassfibre ‘splash’ from SL73/117. Considering Lucas also managed to recruit Tom Meade’s famous ‘Thomassima II’ for a cameo in the same film – “I knew a lot of guys who raced cars,” he recalled – it could quite possibly be the former. But one thing’s for sure, the authenticity was all but trashed in the 2004 Director’s Cut re-master, in which primitive CGI models were inserted into the chase scenes. Proof that some things are better left unchanged, even if you are one of the most successful filmmakers of all time.

Photos/Videos: Lucasfilm

Snapshot, 1970: Don’t shoot, Michael!

There are a thousand reasons to vote for the 1971 film ‘Get Carter’ as the best British gangster movie of all time...

We especially like the uniquely casual elegance of Michael Caine: his impeccable dark blue mohair suit (most likely tailored by Douglas Hayward in Mayfair, who also dressed Roger Moore’s James Bond), the large enamel cufflinks, the gold Rolex Oyster Datejust with brown leather strap and, of course, the gun, which appears so threatening on camera – but is never once fired in the film.

Photo: Getty Images

Chase tales with this Alfa Romeo Super ‘Carabinieri’

Have you noticed the surge of interest in small, European classic cars? This 1971 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super ‘Carabinieri’ could be the perfect vehicle to keep them in line. (But pursue Mini Coopers at your peril…)

Yep, we’ve all seen it: the Giulia-wielding Italian police hopelessly pursuing Charlie Croker’s gold-laden Minis in The Italian Job. In reality, short work would have been made of the trio, for the Italian police forces, particularly the enigmatic Carabinieri (the national military police), were – and still are – a force to be reckoned with.

All mod cons

Alfas have long been the darling of the Caribinieri, ever since the ‘Matta’ impressed with its off-road capabilities in the early 1950s. From Giulias to Alfasuds, through 33s and 159s, to this day where there’s an immaculately turned out Carabiniere, you’ll usually find an Alfa Romeo. The stunning car pictured might be a faithful recreation but it’s got all the mod cons, including flashing lights, sirens and authentic heraldic emblems and ex-police number plates.

Powered by an 89bhp, twin-camshaft engine (this one even has downdraft Webers) and tipping the scales at just 1000kg, the Giulia 1300 Super was the ideal choice for a police force dealing with not only higher levels of crime, but villains armed with faster cars. When engaged in a chase, there was little that could evade the nimble Alfa through town, and similarly little that could outlast them at high speeds. It was comfortable, too – even criminals were afforded a smooth ride to justice.

Suitably authoritative

Compared to the Polizia’s rather drab olive green cars, the Carabinieri’s ‘Gazzella’ (or ‘gazelles’, as they’re dubbed by the Italians for their speed and agility) looked suitably authoritative in their blue and white liveries. And that roof is white for a reason: not only did it help the support helicopter locate and identify the good guys in pursuit, but it also kept its occupants cool below the fierce Italian sun – remember, air-conditioning was the preserve of the ultra-wealthy back then, and all but the most luxurious cars went without.

Thanks to the Carabinieri, many of history’s most notorious criminals were brought down. As a result, cars like this Giulia Super are often required for films and television. Set to go under the gavel at RM’s Paris sale on 4 February (estimated at a reasonable €15,000-20,000), it could be a front-row ticket to the next Hollywood crime thriller. You’d best buy the uniform, too, just in case.