OCTANE CARS

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Model T goes to the movies

1927 FORD MODEL T

MARK DIXON

SO THERE I WAS, on set with George Clooney... Of course, as a humble 'extra' (I can't get used to the modern term 'supporting artist') I didn't dare speak to the great man, but it was still one of the more surreal experiences of my life. Especially since the set represented a street in 1930s Washington State, but we were actually in a disused quarry near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

I was dressed up as the driver of an old sedan, part of the background for a scene involving the film's star and his girlfriend, and was required to make leisurely circuits around the block while trying not to run over any pedestrian extras. Sorry, supporting artists.' 

The movie is called The Boys in the Boat and is based on a true story of how an impoverished young man, Joe Rantz - played by British actor Callum Turner - became part of the USA's rowing team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It was directed by George Clooney, filmed mostly in the UK, and I got the chance to take part thanks to my mate Richard Rimmer, whose own Ford Model T had been hired for one of the earlier scenes.

The film-makers needed more 1920s American cars and Richard kindly suggested me to the action-vehicle chief Marek Oyrzynski, whose movie roll call extends to multiple Bonds and beyond. I duly trailered the 'T' down to Cirencester, where it was to be used as a static prop on another set: this one the shanty town where Rantz is living when he takes up rowing. The car was needed for three days, for each of which I'd be paid a rate that seemed almost embarrassingly generous. Because my 'T' is right-hand-drive, a large tarpaulin was strategically draped over the cockpit, and the car's care-worn appearance suited its backdrop down to, well, a 'T!