Jay Ohrberg – Mastermind Behind Hollywood’s Famous Cars
Illinois’ Volo Auto Museum is home to some of the world’s most recognizable cars and the inventory just keeps growing. Recently, the museum added a display of vehicles from famed Hollywood car builder Jay Ohrberg’s personal collection – including his tribute car to movie icon James Dean.
Artwork on a Wheel
(Photo courtesy of www. i.telegraph.co.uk)
James Dean – Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die
If you’re not sure who James Dean is, here’s the lowdown. A 24-year-old actor who is taking Hollywood by storm in the early 1950’s, James Dean not only has acting chops (he is Best Actor-nominated for his work in one of his three films, East of Eden), his street cred as a race car driver is equally as … dangerous. A true “Rebel Without a Cause” (a reference to another of his films), he loves to drive fast, painting his racing number, 130, on his new Porsche 550 Spyder convertible. Dean himself acquires the nickname, “Lil’ Bastard,” while on the set of what would be his final film, Giant –and he decides it is also the perfect name for his car. Tragically, Dean drives Lil’ Bastard to his death. That fateful day in 1955, Dean is on his way to a car show when the crash makes him a legend.
You May Not Recognize the Face but You Know His Wheels
Jay Ohrberg designs and builds cars for the entertainment industry and is one of Hollywood’s unsung heroes. He’s been associated with over 100 blockbuster films and TV shows and his contributions have made lasting impressions on millions yet no one would recognize him on the street. From the Batmobile in Batman Returns to the time machine in Back to the Future, Jay has created some of the most iconic cars in the world. What would these films be without him? Or his cars? In addition, Jay is known as “The King of the Show Cars,” building some of the wildest and weirdest vehicles on the road. He holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest car, a100-foot, 26-wheel limousine that features a swimming pool and a king sized water bed.
Congratulations, Volo!
Volo Auto Museum is honored to feature Jay Ohrberg’s Tribute to the Legends cars as part of their 55th Anniversary celebration this year. Visit www.volocars.com for more information.
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