Have you ever watched your favorite movie and wished you could see, touch or even own a part of that movie? What would it be like to wear Jason’s hockey mask from Friday the 13Th, or take a ride in the DeLorean from Back to the Future?
Well that dream came true for Jeff, a car guy living in Florida who decided he was going to pursue, and own the 1967 Black Chevrolet Camaro from the 1985 hit comedy Better Off Dead.
John Cusack plays the role of high school senior Lane Meyer who becomes suicidal after his girlfriend breaks up with him. Later in the movie Lane meets Monique, a French foreign exchange student who helps Lane fix up his beat up 1967 Chevy Camaro.
The final scene in the movie shows Lane and Monique sitting on the hood of the black beauty parked just behind home plate at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. That is when Jeff said to himself, “I want that car.” Jeff’s journey started in November 2001 where his only starting point was to write down names seen on the rolling credits at the end of the movie. He had no VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), no license plate number and had no idea where, or if the car even exists.
His fabulous journey takes him through California, battling through previous owners, The Department of Motor Vehicles and even a private investigator. In the end, Jeff acquired what he dreamed of having. He fixed up the Camaro to look as pristine as it did sitting at home plate.
Jeff who now lives in Colorado takes the Better Off Dead Camaro to car shows and still enjoys showing off his prize possession. Please be sure to pay a visit to Jeff’s web site where you can see photos of the restoration and the full story of his remarkable journey.
