Cars in Film : Quadrophenia

The Who’s iconic homage to 1960s Mod culture offers numerous opportunities to catch a glimpse of some of BMC and Leyland’s fine vehicles.

While the film’s period detailing is generally spot-on, the fact that it was shot at the end of the Seventies is betrayed in some of the street scenes, where the odd Austin Maxi or Mark III Cortina can be seen driving past…










“You going to Brighton this weekend?”

Jimmy (Phil Daniels) and Steph (Leslie Ash) discuss their plans as they scoot past a bright red J4 van. And of course, his Lambretta scooter was produced by BMC’s Italian partner, Innocenti. However, street scenes are always diffucult to get right for period films, and amongst the cars that have just passed by are an Austin Maxi, a late-Seventies FX4 and a similarly modern-looking Mini

Scooter cavalcade

As the Mods make their way en masse through the dark, rain-soaked streets of south London, a forlorn Landcrab watches them glide by…

“Got any gear?”

As Jimmy attempts to equip himself for his forthcoming weekend jaunt, he is met by threatening-looking scrapyard owner Pete. The poor 1100, by comparison, looks a picture of innocence. Best not to ask how a MkII model managed to find its way onto the scrapheap some three or four years before it would have been launched…

Scramble!

As trouble erupts on the streets of Brighton, the Police sweep into action, with two J4 “Black Marias” leading the charge and a Farina saloon bringing up the rear…

Get me out of here!

A couple of passing Triumphs get caught up in the action, as the Mods and the Rockers run amok on the Brighton seafront…

On a shout

Another Police Farina screams to the scene of the trouble, passing a very Seventies-looking roundabout sign. And you thought the Police only drove Wolseleys back then…

You’re nicked!

A J4 Black Maria makes its way back to the station, loaded with freshly-arrested youths – including Ace, as played by Police front-man Sting. While the B-suffix registration places the van bang in the middle of the Sixties, the “Austin Morris” badging tells a different story…

“You’ve killed me scooter!”

Jimmy mourns the loss of his pride and joy, which has just been symbolically crushed by a Royal Mail Morris LD van…

“Bellboy!”

Jimmy is disillusioned to find that his idol, Ace, has sold out to conformity and is now working in the service of others, as a bellboy at Brighton’s Grand Hotel. He might have been equally disappointed with the less-than-pristine condition of the Jaguar Mk2 parked outside. Out of shot are a couple of Farina saloon taxicabs parked in front of the Jaguar, and a P4 ‘Auntie’ Rover parked just behind…


This page was contributed by Declan Berridge

Keith Adams

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