MovieChat Forums > Convoy (1978) Discussion > THE TRUCK IS AWFUL!

THE TRUCK IS AWFUL!

posted 16 years ago by Eclectic_Flamingo
12 replies | jump to latest

I mean c'mon, the truck in Smokey And the Bandit (actually all 3) was/were elaborate with the beautiful paint scheme but the truck in this movie was god-awful. it was your basic dime-a-dozen mack r-model which looked like some truck around town that should be pulling a lowboy for a construction company not starring in a movie. And the trailer, a tanker. That's it. A plain old tanker. remeber the trailer from SATB, unforgettable. All i'm saying is they could have used a truck that stood out more.

[–] Bandit-One 16 years ago

Well, personally, I loved that Truck. Yes, it isn't special. But Rubber Duck wouldn't drive a fancy colored Truck or whatsoever. Rubber Duck's a tough guy, he keeps it simple. He needs his truck for a living, not for showing of. He sure don't need a truck which can be easily recognized.
And the movie is based on the Song. I think in the original song version, they are not specific, what kind of Truck it is. In the movie version of the song it clearly says "Big Black Mack". I don't know what came first, the movie or the other version of the song.

But I DO love Smokey and the Bandit too. SATB is more a comedy, while Convoy has a lot more serious character. I love both.

-
"I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows." - Bart Simpson

[–] persen1 16 years ago

The trucks are also not even the same brand.
Rubber Duck's is a Mack and Snowman's (Smokey and the Bandit) is a Kenworth.

There was also (as you mention ban-one-1) a huge difference between Rubber Duck and Snowman:
Rubber Duck was a worker using his truck to earn money for a living.
Snowman was bit more a "show off", living in the shadow of The Bandit, so he needed a pretty truck to stand out.

But now for seomething interesting: It was 5 different models of Mack that was used in the movie.
Truck 1 - 1977 Mack RS712LST35492
Truck 2 - 1973 Mack RS797LST13182
Truck 3 - 1970 Mack RS731LST6646
Truck 4 - 1970 Mack RS731LST6648
Truck 5 - 1977 Mack RSK700KIT

Source for info:
http://stlouisdumptrucks.com/ConvoyMackTruck/index.html

[–] BuckRogersTwentyFifth 15 years ago

Snowman is driving the Bandit's truck in Smokey and the Bandit (that's why it has a mural of a stagecoach robbery on it - it belongs to "the bandit"). Listen to the lyrics of the opening song. Also, if you notice, the Bandit drives the truck to snowman's house and then tells him that he (snowman) will drive the truck while the Bandit acts as a diversion.

As far as the "Big Black Mack" lyric from the song, that is only in the version written specifically for the movie. The original song starts out:

"Was the dark of the moon, on the sixth of June
In a Kenworth, pullin' logs
Cabover Pete with a reefer on
And a Jimmy haulin' hogs
We 'as headin' fer bear on I-One-Oh
'Bout a mile outta Shaky-Town
I sez Pig-Pen, this here's the Rubber Duck
An' I'm about to put the hammer on down"

Since we know Pigpen is hauling hogs, the Duck must be driving a Kenworth or a Pete in the original song. Most likely a Kenworth, as it makes sense the narrator (the Duck) would list the trucks in order, and he is driving the lead truck. Also seems like the narrator would list the truck he is driving first. Who knows why they put him in a Mack for the movie. Personally, I thought it looked tough. Stood out from the rest of the trucks.

I don't have an opinion. The word "opinion" implies the possibility I'm wrong.

[–] Reverend-Flasher 15 years ago

I agree with the other replies to this post. Rubber Duck was a working man, just an average truck driver who has had enough of "the system" and decides to make a stand. The whole point of the movie wouldn't have made sense if he was a flamboyant "showoff" like the Bandit. Even though both films are similarly themed in their ideas of individuals against the system, "Convoy" is a more serious take. I think the black Mack looks great and is right for the part. What about the old Peterbilt in "Duel"? It's very distinct but hardly pretty and that's certainly one mean looking truck!!

In memory of Sam Peckinpah

[–] fashion103 15 years ago

I liked it.

Sure, the bandit's truck was very pretty, with it's murial on the trailer and dripping with crome, but the Duck's bulldog Mack looked mean! Low down, haunched stance and that 'git the fu_ck outta my way boy...I'm a commin' thru!' bullbar on the front.

Take the trailer off the Bandit's rig and you've just got any bog standard Kenny. Take the tanker of the Duck's truck and you've still got the Duck's Mack. That sucker is just iconic.

Besides, even though it was reworded for the film, "A bulldog Mack, with a can on the back...and a Jaguar haulin' ass" is a great line.

I'm a Brit though...and the Brits love anything which is synominous with the bulldog spirit.

When you're racing, it's life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting.

[–] Nosferatu6979 15 years ago

Man I have to agree that the old Mack was a great choice! I was a little kid back in the 70's and I always thought the Macks were tough-ass looking trucks, especially with that stout looking bulldog hood ornament! Peterbilts were definitely the prettiest trucks, with some of the Kenworths running a close 2nd, but the Macks were always the toughest looking trucks in my opinion.

[–] zuzupetal_99 15 years ago

I agree w/ the posters above that said the Mack looked mean & tough and seemed just right for the Duck. I also love that hood ornament - that was pretty dang cool!!!

"Are you going to your grave with unlived lives in your veins?" ~ The Good Girl

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] MisterZed 14 years ago

His truck is great. If you notice in the movie, most of the trucks are cab-overs. Duck's truck is traditional and shows that he is rebellious and goes against the trend of the 1970s, which saw most people switch to more fuel efficient trucks.

[–] mrenaut-1 13 years ago

And remember when Pigpen and Spider Mike first recognise Duck over the CB? 'The best front door in the business', 'more stories about you than Jesse James' ?

The Duck is already a legend among his peers, he doesn't have to prove anything by having a custom truck.

People should spend more time watching movies and less time bitching about IMDB spoilers.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ajukoor 12 years ago

Wrong! This truck didn't need any fancy painjob. All the truck needed was utterly awesome Kris Kristofferson behind the wheel and a duck on the hood. And it was very stand out duck.

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