Seattle filmmaker on verge of completing a must-see car movie for vintage racing enthusiasts

by Sam Barer

Even the most dedicated collector car enthusiast must come back into the house for a little rest and relaxation. This is why car movies exist.

Seattle’s Jay Rowlands is hoping his independent film “Clutch” will be seen and added to the video collections of car hobbyists. And as the writer, director, producer, and leading actor behind the in-progress movie, Rowlands has bet his professional life on it.

The “Clutch” concept is simple: a feature-length film chronicling the fictional story of a man who will stop at nothing to feed his addiction for road racing classic muscle cars. Like the character he portrays in “Clutch,” 33-year-old Rowlands has been equally addicted, but in assembling the necessary talent and cars to create a film authentic in every last detail. Operating on a sub-$100,000 budget, low for even an independent film, Rowlands has still miraculously assembled some of the world’s greatest vintage racecars. Vintage racers, collectors and enthusiasts donated their time, skills and cars for use in the film. Actual Trans Am Series competitors like Sunoco Camaro Z-28s, Boss 302s and even Sam Posey’s Dodge Challenger appear in racing footage, as do Corvette Sting Rays and even an ultra-rare GT40. To capture authentic racing action, Rowlands’ crew shot from multiple angles, even laying-down in the middle of the Pacific Raceways track as the cars roared by. Microphones were placed in cockpits, engine bays and behind tailpipes to ensure realistic sounds for each view. From the footage I’ve seen, the racing sequences are on par with some of the all time great car films.

Rowlands’ inspiration for “Clutch” is multifold. Like his main character, Rowlands is car crazy, and would be most happy racing old Z-28s. His movie interest side, however, recognized as filmmaking technology improved, directors began relying on far-fetched scenarios and multi-million dollar effects rather than offering authenticity, identifying “Driven,” “The Fast and the Furious” and the “Gone in Sixty Seconds” remake as examples. Rowlands dedicated himself to creating a movie that spotlighted real vintage racecars, but also delivered a riveting script with maximum attention to detail.

With over ninety scenes in-the-can, and just eight to go, Rowlands has paused briefly for a little fundraising and PR in preparation for the movie’s completion. Considering the names already backing the project, “Clutch” should finish fundraising and filming, and begin post-production soon. A release date is set to make deadlines for winter independent film festivals.

Great photos from the shoot are already posted on the movie’s official Web site at www.clutchthemovie.com. And if you’re like me, you’ll take the opportunity to pre-order a copy on DVD.

But if you can’t wait for “Clutch” to watch cars on film, we present Sound Classics’ list of the top five car movies, (plus a few flicks that aren't car-movies, but you still have to see them.)

“Grand Prix:” John Frankenheimer’s 1966 masterpiece stands the test of time as the greatest car movie ever. Starring James Garner, the best F1 drivers of the day were used for filming racing sequences. Locations included Monaco and Spa. Where others failed, “Grand Prix” flourishes: realism, great script and fantastic character development. .

“Le Mans:” Steve McQueen’s 1971 film nearly bankrupted him, but stands as a near documentary of the great 24-hour race. Their camera car actually competed and finished the 1970 Le Mans, and could have possibly won if not for late pit stops to reload the camera. Story and dialog were admitted afterthoughts; Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512 racers do most of the talking.

“Gone in Sixty Seconds:” Forget the horrendous remake, and watch H.B. Halicki’s original 1974 thrill-ride. Like Rowlands to “Clutch,” Halicki wrote, directed, produced and starred in his movie featuring a forty-plus minute chase and 93 destroyed cars. Halicki even kept in the film his accidental 100MPH crash into a light post while driving “Eleanor,” a 1973 Mustang Mach 1.

“Vanishing Point:” Ex-cop Kowalski bets he can deliver a white 1970 Dodge Challenger with a supercharged 440ci engine from Denver to San Francisco in less than fifteen hours. A simple plot leads to great chases and actually very deep commentary on race relations and good versus evil.

“Two Lane Blacktop:” Musicians turned actors James Taylor and Beach Boy Dennis Wilson go out drag racing in their ’55 Chevy. This B-movie classic dishes out healthy portions of quarter-mile action with classic American cars.

And though “Bullitt” (1968) isn’t a car movie, its seven-plus minute Mustang versus Dodge Charger car chase through San Francisco stands as the greatest of all time.

The Original "Italian Job" has a wonderful opening sequence of a Lamborghini Miura going through the Alps. The film makes up for destroying wonderful classics (including the Miura, an Aston Martin and others) by offering a unique car chase scene with three Mini Cooper getaway cars. Figure the Edward Norton / Mark Wahlberg remake won't come close to the original.

And for a good car versus train chase, go for Gene Hackmann in "The French Connection." It might not be a true car movie, but the acting and storyline are first rate.

Sam Barer writes for Apex, an Olympia, WA based freelance writing company. To submit a car for a future “Sound Classics” story, email soundclassics@apexstrategy.com

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