1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Project: Full Screen Accurate Build

[DeLoreanDMC81]

Thank you, everyone. This has been a labor of love. I'm doing every single thing I can to get this as close to screen accurate as possible. Just wish I would have started looking 10-20 years ago for parts. And what can not be found out in the wild is being made. In fact I have a few different things being made right now. 2 particular pieces I've been hard at work on for almost a year now. They are nearing completion and can't wait to show them off.

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

I forgot to post these pieces.

Tape Control:

Control Panel:

Radar Detector:

 

[publiusr]

No Mr. Fusion-oh, wait. I want to see it chased by THE CAR.

 

[ID10T]

Michelob can?

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

Michelob can?

I'm looking, just haven't come across one yet.

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

Got all the heat sinks for the roof rack. Interestingly enough, the front heat sinks stayed on the car all these years, but around 1988-1989-ish the one on the very rear of the roof rack went missing. Just like the screen accurate heat sink that sits on the very top of the car. around 88-89 it was replaced with the heat sink that sat on top of the Ecto-1A. (There's a little bit of fun trivia for you)

Front:

Rear:

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

For the 4 smaller blue lights on the roof, I happened to found the correct mounts for them. Like anything on this car it just takes time and a lot of patience. The rear ones are completely different than the front ones. Just makes it more fun. haha

Rear Lights:

Front Lights:

 

[alensatemybuick]

I'm looking, just haven't come across one yet.

how about this one:

EMPTY Michelob Anheuser Busch Beer Can Opened on Bottom E3 | eBay

E3 is for my reference.

www.ebay.com

 

[alensatemybuick]

Looks like someone did a buy-it-now on that listing above. I think these cans are not uncommon, though I was not 100% sure if the can in the movie was a "pull-tab" or "stay-tab" style. I'm 56, so wasn't quite drinking beer yet in 1984 (that's my story and I'm sticking to it), but I'd swear they switched to the "stay" tab for beer cans by then. Other issue (in case that matters for "replica prop" purposes) is many collectors of beer cans (I used to be a member of BCCA, though was far more interested in "breweriana" items than the cans themselves) prefered to remove the liquid contents from the bottom (as in the example above) for "displayability", and I'm sure the vast majority of cans opened from the top were not saved.

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

Looks like someone did a buy-it-now on that listing above. I think these cans are not uncommon, though I was not 100% sure if the can in the movie was a "pull-tab" or "stay-tab" style. I'm 56, so wasn't quite drinking beer yet in 1984 (that's my story and I'm sticking to it), but I'd swear they switched to the "stay" tab for beer cans by then. Other issue (in case that matters for "replica prop" purposes) is many collectors of beer cans (I used to be a member of BCCA, though was far more interested in "breweriana" items than the cans themselves) prefered to remove the liquid contents from the bottom (as in the example above) for "displayability", and I'm sure the vast majority of cans opened from the top were not saved.

I appreciate you giving me a heads up about that listing. It was actually me that went ahead and bought it.

Another member pointed me in the direction of a similar can the other day. That one had a pull off tab, where this one has the stay tab.

I'm also not sure which one is the "correct" version. You just can't really see anything in the movie. The scene, when they are eating the Chinese food, maybe that will have a better shot of the beer cans. I'll have to go look.

I've also heard that the Handy Grip can is the correct one. That one is definitely an interesting can. This is the one I bought:

Michelob Light Beer Can “Handy Grip” Design | eBay

Michelob Light Beer Can “Handy Grip” Design. Condition is New. Shipped with USPS First Class Package.

www.ebay.com

Now, if I can find an empty pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes, that would be awesome!

 

[alensatemybuick]

Glad you got it; price was right.

Pretty high-res version of the "Revelations" scene below, which I think, esp. from 18 - 27 second mark seems to show a smooth can with a stay tab.

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

Glad you got it; price was right.

Pretty high-res version of the "Revelations" scene below, which I think, esp. from 18 - 27 second mark seems to show a smooth can with a stay tab.

Again, I appreciate you letting Know about it.

I’m going to go with that. Personally, to me, the can looks smooth, and I can see what looks to be the Stay Tab on the top. So I think we have a winner.

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

Time for the rear interior to go. If anyone thinks that converting a Hearse to an Ambulance is a cake walk, please check yourself into a metal hospital. haha And please reserve a room for me, because I am about to join you.

But I have come this far, gotta keep it going. And can I just say, that rear wood flooring was ridiculously heavy and awkward. Especially when doing it by yourself.

The support structure for the hearse flooring:

Which also had to be removed:

Looking a little more like it should:

 

[Rogviler]

Find anything interesting yet? I picked some parts off a (much newer) hearse in a junkyard once and under the floor it was absolutely packed with dead flower petals. I was glad that was the only dead things I found.

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

Find anything interesting yet? I picked some parts off a (much newer) hearse in a junkyard once and under the floor it was absolutely packed with dead flower petals. I was glad that was the only dead things I found.

I wish I would have found cool things. Unfortunately not. I did remove some panels on the rear underside of the car, and all I found was a rats nest and some dead spiders. Nothing too exciting. Boo....!

 

[Jintosh]

I wish I would have found cool things. Unfortunately not. I did remove some panels on the rear underside of the car, and all I found was a rats nest and some dead spiders. Nothing too exciting. Boo....!

It would have been cool to find enough money for the renovation.

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

It would have been cool to find enough money for the renovation.

Haha, I wish that were the case. Sadly, not. lol

 

[ZeroSum]

DeLoreanDMC81 How's the Ecto coming along?

 

[DeLoreanDMC81]

DeLoreanDMC81 How's the Ecto coming along?

It is coming along very slowly. I've been busy the last couple of month so I've just been working on interior props when I have a few minutes. But I did manage to finish up 2 pieces I am very happy with.

The 2 UHF panels in the very back of the car, I've got those completed. Just need to get the wood for the base and the 4 aluminum straps to hold them together.

All in all it came together very nicely. With the amount of behind the scenes work and research that went into these, it's staggering. haha Also had the front panels powder coated so they'll be looking good for many years to come.

There are other connectors in the back of these but I won't be doing anything until I can actually look at the original car up close and personal.

As for the aluminum pans, those are as original as you can get, and as close to the original measurements. I had to have them manufactured and believe me, just like how everything else is on this car, they were not cheap. And the lids, I had to have those designed and laser cut. But its over, they are finished, and I am quite happy.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:

As usual, here is a picture of the original for comparison:

 

[ZeroSum]

Awesome! I'm glad this thing is still happening!