“You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It did the Kessel Run in under 12 Parsecs…”
Obviously this is not the actual ship, since Millennium is missing one of the “n”‘s….But hey, it’s probably the most appropriate car to inspire a tribute of the Star Wars spaceship. I spotted this in Ingolstadt, Germany back in 2003 and had to stop and get a few pictures. That’s actually my rental car that I just parked inthe middle of the street next to it, I was so excited!
Based on the early C3 Chassis Audi 100, I believe this one is actually Diesel powered, most likely powered by a 2.2liter engine. The Ronal wheels always looked nice on Audi’s of this vintage.
Nowadays everything is space-age looking, but back in the early 80’s, the Audi 100 was like something from another world, and the wagon version even more so. I can’t think of a better car to do this to. The body kit is a little much for me, but I do like the lightsaber attached to the front grille.
The registration is for the Eichstatt area, which is the next one over from Ingolstadt, so this car is local to the area. Very likely it’s still running now, since it was in very good shape when I saw it ten years ago….
A buddy from my youth had a Ford Falcon during college years that he referred to by the same name.
It’s hard to see in this pic, but the uppermost sticker on Comic Book Guy’s Gremlin reads:
“My other car is a Millennium Falcon.”
Worst. AMC Reference. Ever.
Look at that license plate number. I doubt that Comic Book Guy’s Gremlin can even go to Warp 1.
But it’s not a Falcon…or even a Ford, for that matter.
I always thought of the best real-life Millennium Falcon as a large pickup truck with a machine gun in the bed and a 0-60 time below 5 seconds.
In-universe, the YT-1300 is one of the most popular models of light freighter, but only comes equipped from the factory with two light laser cannons and a Class 2 hyperdrive. (Hyperdrive class is based on 0 being an unattainably infinite speed, with 1 being the best that can be safely manufactured.) Han Solo upgraded the Falcon by not only illegally equipping her with two military-grade quad-laser turrets, but also by modifying a military-grade Class 1 hyperdrive to achieve a hypothetical “0.5” rating–that is, twice as fast as those outfitted in top-level Imperial ships. Tampering with a hyperdrive is generally a bad idea, as even a minor mistake can result in being erased from existence the next time you try to go to lightspeed.
By the way, the reason that Luke got to Cloud City right after Han and Leia was not that his Jedi training took a day and a half; it’s that Han was forced to use the backup hyperdrive, a Class 12, in a sort of “limp mode” all the way to Bespin that took at least 3-4 weeks. Also gives slightly more believability to Han and Leia’s whirlwind romance, and explains why Boba Fett (his ship had a Class 0.7) and the Imperial fleet (Class 1) arrived before him.
…No, I’m not doing anything on this particular Friday night, why do you ask?
So still could be a Falcon then – an FPV Pursuit ute with the 5.0 supercharged engine tickled up to 6-700hp at the wheels
“Han Solo upgraded the Falcon by not only illegally equipping her with two military-grade quad-laser turrets”
You forgot the two concussion missile tubes and hidden blaster mounted on the belly of the ship.
One of the best looking wagons ever. Would still look good on the road (minus the stupid stickers, of course).
this is really cool. I really see the it. A few months ago I was driving northbound on interstate 87 by Newburgh, NY, and I saw travelling south was a Back to the Future Delorean. Kinda thought it was cool. Caught my eye but I think this Audi is way cooler. The more I examine the photos, the more I like the car and hey, Star Wars was filmed mostly in Europe anyways.
Damn it, I thought I just fixed that!
Does it make me weird if this leads me wonder how hairy the owner’s girlfriend is? Don’t answer that.
Here’s the best photo I could find of the mid-late 80’s show car “Millenium Falcon”, based on an XF Falcon ute. I don’t think it really comes up in the photo, but it is painted dayglo orange!
I remember that ute John! I may even have that issue. Reminds me of Street Machine’s XF GTHO sedan (I still have the poster!). Now that was worthy of being a Falcon for the millenium!
At the time i was involed in building the Roll Bar / Light Bar into the rear tray and took extra care with the construction all made from thin wall steel exhaust tubing l think. l worked at Rallyspeed in Artarmon then. l remember getting hundreds of enquiries for the purchase and kept on telling Bernard in management lets make the i did not realize Wayne Draper held the design. But we were the first with the Thick Roll Bars
Timely read for me, five years late. This week we learned more about the Kessel run. It’s how the front of the MF gets its gap tooth. And the MF has the heart of a feminist….and the Star Wars franchise can have a weak release, although Solo is way better than any movie containing Jar Jar Binks.