http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160--185559--,00.html

Bay City company puts Johnny Depp's "Dillinger" behind the wheel of a classic car.



Bay City, MI - Universal Pictures sent out several casting calls for vintage cars, trucks and buses for the upcoming gangster film "Public Enemies." In the end, the studio decided the 1935 Hudson Terraplane at the Bay City Motor Company was a dead-ringer for John Dillinger's getaway car. When filming begins in March, the very rare Terraplane will take center stage alongside co-stars Johnny Depp as Dillinger and Christian Bales as G-Man Melvin Purvis.

Universal Studios has assigned a select team to outfit and change the tan and burgundy show car into Dillinger's gleaming black and tan depression-era getaway vehicle. According to news reports, Dillinger and girlfriend Billie Frechette were driving a Hudson Terraplane when they narrowly escaped a machine gun battle with police after being discovered living in a St. Paul, Minnesota apartment under assumed names.

"Universal did the scouting and Johnny picked the must-have car. Everyone was great to work with as things swiftly progressed from a hit on our website through the sale and invitations to observe the movie's production," explained company partner, David Cotten. The Bay City Motor Company displays and sells the finest antique and classic cars from its showroom on Downtown Bay City's Water Street. Part showroom and part museum, the unique company was created in 2005 by David and Ann Cotten with their son Scott and is based on over a hundred years of Michigan automotive heritage. Ann Cotten's grandfather founded the first (and last) independent Cadillac dealership in the United States and David

Cotten's father created the first retail finance loan program for automobiles. Today, the family and partners put their automotive expertise to good use matching customers from around the world with the classic cars they've always dreamed about.

For more information on the Bay City Motor Company, contact David, Dale or Scott at 989.891.0900 or visit the company's website www.thebaycitymotorcompany.com .


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Editor's Note: The Hudson Motor Car Company manufactured automobiles in Detroit from 1909 to 1954 when it merged with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation to become American Motors. The name "Hudson" came from J. L. Hudson, the Detroit department store entrepreneur and founder of Hudson's department store and investor in the fledging car company.

What a beauty!! You want to bet that Mr. Depp keeps that car after filming is done since he was the one that picked it out.

Nicci :angel

That is a beautiful car---would love to see the inside. Thanks for the interesting article Karen.

-Donna

Hmmm...what fun! It's a classy ivory color! Suprised me!
Glad he got some choice in the matter! Cool! :thumbsup

They are very clear to say that the car has been in this family for a very long time, please don't turn this into a rumor that he is keeping it.

Aye, if it's been in the family for a long time, then they are being very generous to let the production company use it and change the paint color, etc.. I suppose they are being amply compensated for their generosity...and no doubt having pictures of Johnny behind the wheel will only enhance its value! :D
It's a beautiful car! Thanks for the update and the pic!

WOW! That's beautiful!
I bet Johnny is looking forward to driving that car! :D

Here's a link to more detailed information on the car and many photos (and a couple little videos) which also show the interior. It's truly lovely! I'm a little sad that it's going to be painted black and the interior apparently changed to tan.

http://www.thebaycitymotorcompany.com/site...020/default.htm

You can also find it listed about 3/4 of the way down this page:

http://www.thebaycitymotorcompany.com/site...0Inventory.aspx

:thanks FAN--you hit pay dirt there! The interior is beautiful, but I'm not a fan of the interior color--- maybe it's the way it comes across in the photos. I love the wood dash and instruments though--looks rather roomy! I know very little about cars, but the video clip with the car starting and moving makes it sound rather powerful.

Thanks for these great links! :D

-Donna

Oh wow.. I'm getting excited! We all know how he loves vintage! Reminds me of his Packard that he drove to the Jay Leno show back in 2005!! Which I think I feel the need to go watch!!

~ Mary Kay

I misread this part of the article and stand corected:

The car was indeed sold to Universal, however we don't know that Johnny has any contractual deals involving the car.

Thanks Fan for the update and links.

Thanks for the extra links! How COOL the interior! BLOOD RED!
:thumbsup for Johnny driving it anywhere! :joy

Clicking further on the site:

1935 Hudson Terraplane $39,995 OBO Sale Pending

Wow! That seems pretty cheap, doesn't it?? I guess the owners weren't as attached to it as I thought! If JD ends up behind the wheel of this beauty for longer than the movie shoot, he'll cut quite an eye-catching figure driving around town, whichever town he chooses to drive around! Or maybe he'll have it transported to his island retreat...? Now there's an image - a Pirate in a Packard! :lol:

Thats a beautiful car Karen.

Many thanks for the fascinating article. :thanks

I know exactly what you mean. It's a shame they have to paint it black.

but no doubt it will be restored to it's original condition when the film is finished.

Thank you for the interesting article, I too think Johnny will keep that car after filming is over. That is a lovely car.


Yvonne in LA :joy

Interesting article, thank you Karen. And thanks for the other bits FAN. It is indeed a beautiful car. I can see why Johnny picked it. :thumbsup

I got this in a google alert.

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/928557,0...llinger.article

I wonder if they came to some sort of an agreement to use the car.
Should be interesting to find out!
:thanks for the info Holly!