THE INTERCEPTOR: MAD MAX 2

ORIGINS
	Due to the massive worldwide success of the first Mad Max (1979), Australian filmmakers, producer Byron Kennedy and director George Miller had that rare opportunity in the movie business to make a bigger and better sequel. Financial backing came from U.S. film studio Warner Bros. and actor Mel Gibson returned to the title role, this film making him a major star. The story is set three years after the first film, the world having collapsed into a frenzy of survival as civilization scrambles to horde meagre 'guzzolene' supplies. With a larger budget came an expanded vehicle base and for the role of Max's black Interceptor - now officially known as the V8 Interceptor - there were actually two Ford XB Falcon Hardtops acquired for filming. The #1 Hero Car was the exact same car from the first film, the XB Falcon GT, purchased back off auto mechanic Murray Smith who acquired it as payment for his work on the first movie. This coupe was re-converted with all the modifications and trimmings for static shots and interior filming. Virtually all close up shots of Max driving, the dog inside the car and other close ups was done with this original Falcon GT. It was also the car used for all filming in and around the oil compound set. The #2 Stunt Car was an XB Fairmont without the detailed interior of the GT Falcon. It was used for all the chase scenes and open road speed shots plus some minor dirt road driving scenes. It was also the car destroyed in the spectacular fiery crash scene in the later part of the film.
Actor Mel Gibson seen here in a publicity photo shoot outside Silverton, NSW where the opening scenes were shot. The panel design and curving lines of the XB Falcon hardtop has become an iconic part of the Mad Max franchise, especially the unique styling of the 2-door Falcons quarter windows as seen in the above picture.

V8 INTERCEPTOR #1 ORIGINAL (HERO) CAR
During late 1980, Mad Max 2 pre-production began to get underway and the original black Interceptor from the first film (VIN: JG66ND 43660 K, see The Interceptor: Mad Max for details), was re-acquired by Kennedy Miller Productions for use in the sequel to be shot outside Broken Hill, NSW in mid-1981. The vehicle was to have a more worn, tired and 'battle-scared' look with the following modifications carried out:
EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS
	Arcadipane Concorde Nose
	The Interceptor's iconic Arcadipane nose cone was retained but the lower air-dam section was removed to give more ground clearance on outback roads often seen clogged with debris. The script called for the entire Concorde nose section to be smashed off during the opening chase sequence leaving a somewhat mangled front grille with two, now misaligned headlights.
	The Arcadipane Concorde nose only survived the first few minutes of the movie being smashed off during the opening chase sequence. Seen here is the #2 stunt car which has a duplicate Concorde nose fitted matching the #1 original car.
	Wheel Flares / Roof Spoiler - All remain the same from the first film.
	Boot Spoiler
	The back boot lid was removed for the external fuel tanks (see section below), so only the rear panel mounted spoiler tips remain on the vehicle.
	The boot spoiler tips remained on the car after the boot was removed for the external fuel tanks. Note here the satin black pin-stripe that separated the black-on-black paint of the original car.
	Paint
	The gloss black finish remains the same except the MFP badges are now gone and extensive rust and dirt weathering has been added by the film's art department over most parts of the car. A small detail is the AM radio aerial on the upper left-side fender tucked away in the first movie but removed altogether in the second film leaving a hole. This is evident in the scene when the Feral Kid climbs over the passenger door to fetch his musical toy.
A four-view schematic of the V8 Interceptor as modified for the Wasteland with the front air-dam removed and exterior fuel tanks added. Source: Aoshima 1:24 plastic kitset.
	Wheels & Tyres
	The two front wheels are the same steel-centred, 8-spoke Sunraysia styled van wheels painted satin black that were seen in the first film. The two rear wheels however are now steel-centred, 18-spoke Turbine styled mag wheels. All tyres used were the B.F. Goodrich T/A Radial type and like the wheels were heavily weathered and 'rusty' looking to suit the outback living conditions seen in the movie.
	Front Wheel Size: 14" x 8" Front Tyre Size: P245/50R14	Rear Wheel Size: 15" x 10" Rear Tyre Size: P265/50R15
	Detroit Diesel 6-71 Supercharger (non-functional)
	The original Weiand Supercharger was removed after the first film production wrapped in early 1978 and so a new one had to be acquired. The base compressor unit is now a Detroit Diesel 6-71 casing and front plate. A Cragar backing plate was used, a logo of which can be seen in the film and mislead the untrained eye as to it being a Cragar blower. The prominently seen drive-pulley was attached to the casing by adapting a water pump component. Like the first film, the blower was made from real components but was totally non-functional. It was also made to look weathered and worn by the film's art department to match the rest of the car. The air scoop is now a fabricated part by the film's vehicle builders based on the original Scott Engineering injector hat. Being scratch-built, the dimensions are not perfect and so it looks slightly larger and sits slightly higher then the original Scott parts. The drive pulley wheel was spun in the first film off the air conditioning compressor but for the new movie it was re-configured as a simple, under-bonnet v-belt setup coming off the engine crankshaft. A tensioner pulley was used to install and remove the smaller under-bonnet belt when required.
	A good view of the Supercharger that, like the rest of the vehicle, was weathered with a mixture of diesel fuel and dirt. Due to being a fabricated unit, the air-scoop is slightly larger and mounted slightly higher than the components used in the first film.
	Only a Cragar backing plate was used in the film but this 1960s advertisement schematic of a Cragar compressor unit shows to good effect how it bolts onto the engine intake manifold.
	Parts list schematic for a Cragar Supercharger rotor casing gearbox and pulley assembly from a 1960s advertisement.
	The 'injector hat' system used in Mad Max 2 was a fabricated one based on the Scott air-intake design used in the first film. This 1960s advert shows to good effect the general shape of the air scoop.
	The supercharger base unit was mounted higher on the engine in Mad Max 2 with the prominent drive pulley wheel sitting fully above the bonnet cut-out lip.
	Two views of the #1 original Interceptor belt and pulley system set up to spin the fake supercharger drive pulley wheel. It was driven off the engine crankshaft via a tensioned v-belt that could easily be removed or installed depending on what was required for filming. The supercharger starting up was simply done by starting the car's engine or turning it off to show it stopping. Photos: Robert Sandler.
	The Detroit Diesel base unit was mounted on top of the original 4V carburettor by a welded steel frame as seen here in this detailed image of the preserved #1 original car. The original GT 4V carburettor was run without the use of an air-filter. Photo: Robert Sandler.
	Zoomie Exhaust Pipes
	The 8-pipe upturned zoomie exhausts have been modified for a much more finished look. They are now longer, meaner looking straight pipes without the chrome cuff extensions.
	The new side pipe design was a big improvement over the ones in the first film. (NOTE: Image used is of Adrian Bennett's V8 Interceptor replica). Photo: Simon Beck.
	External Fuel Tanks (non-functional)
	The large, custom built fuel tanks were fashioned for the film car to reflect the dire fuel shortage depicted in the story. The tanks themselves are completely 'made for the movie' and not based on any pre-existing manufactured tanks for industrial use. They are not hot water cylinders and have no ability to retain fluids under pressure. There are two small gauges on the top of each tank at the back end and the fuel caps are from British Leyland double-decker buses. The tanks are each 900mm long and 450mm wide which have the following capacities:
	Interceptor Long Range Fuel Tank:	27.50 Imp. Gal (125.00L)
	External Tank No. 1:	31.49 Imp. Gal (143.16L)
	External Tank No. 2:	31.49 Imp. Gal (143.16L)
	Total:	90.48 Imp. Gal (411.33L)
	Interceptor Mileage (average):	14.50 m/p/g
		19.48L / 100km
	Going on the assumption that being a police car, the V8 Interceptor has a long range fuel tank installed which gives the modified car a total capacity rounded of 90.5 Imp. Gallons (411 litres). Based on the average mileage of an XB Falcon GT coupe that would give the Interceptor a range of 1,311.96 miles (2,111.39 km). This would be more or less Sydney to Alice Springs in Australian terms or Invercargill to Auckland then almost back to Wellington for New Zealanders. This is all with the fictional supercharger off, which if it was real and running, would greatly reduce range. In short, it can basically be argued the V8 Interceptor will go 1,300 miles on full tanks of 90 imperial gallons or metrically 2,100km with full tanks of 410 litres.
	The two external fuel tanks on the #1 original car as they look today. The jerry cans are WW2-era British type W1D fuel containers. Other survival gear adorned the back of the vehicle to create a 'mobile home' outback survival look. Photo: Robert Sandler.
	Detonator Box Prop (non-functional)
	A non-functional film prop built by the art department and mounted under the car next to the left rear leaf-spring. It's story purpose is to spark fuse wire leading into the external fuel tanks in the event the fuel caps are tampered with.
INTERIOR MODIFICATIONS
	The following items were deleted / removed:   - Front & rear passenger seats.   - Carpets, door trims & roof linings.   - Centre sports console.   - Dashboard police light.   - Dashboard police light mounting plate (sometimes missing, in other shots not?).   - Roof mounted police radio.   - Rear window glass, metal cross beam and back boot lid.
	The following items were added / modified:   - Roll cage consisting of both 1.5 inch and 1.25 inch welded tubular steel.   - Metal passenger-side, door mounted dog seat.   - Fuel gauge with red warning light.   - Modified gear stick with repositioned blower switch.   - Rear parcel tray with spare wheel, auto parts, jerry cans and survival gear.
	Actor Mel Gibson getting ready for a scene in the #1 car during filming in mid-1981. Of note is the absence of the dashboard police light mounting plate seen in some shots but missing in others. Also of note is the laminated tinted-band windscreen, one of the RPOs found on the original car.
	The interior of the #1 Interceptor as it looks today. The welded tubular steel roll cage does not run up the A-pillars and across the top of the windscreen like most designs but instead runs along the bottom of the dashboard. Being a film production this was done to simply save the time and expense on what would otherwise have been a more complicated fitting. Photo: Robert Sandler.
	The driver's side door still has the remains of the film production props - what looks to be a machete sheath, a WWI ammunition belt and an improvised leather door handle. Photo: Robert Sandler.
	The repositioned supercharger switch and non-standard Falcon gear-stick knob.
	A fuel gauge and warning lamp was installed but at the expense being able to see the engine tachometer. Note the top row GT gauge needles are positioned / / / / and it has the standard GT 140mph speedometer with 7k tachometer. Photo: Robert Sandler.
	Eight year old actor Emil Minty (The Feral Kid) found the dog seat to be the perfect getaway spot both on and off screen with Emil often seen taking refuge there between scenes.
	The #1 original car was used for interior close ups and detail shots. It was however seen in one driving shot (pictured above), during the opening chase where Max looks at his side mirror - the camera then pans left to reveal marauders appearing on the road behind him. When Bob Fursenko later acquired the car he discovered the camera platform mounting brackets from this shot still attached along the underside.
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V8 INTERCEPTOR #1 OWNERSHIP HISTORY
1973	Rural Motors, Orange, New South Wales.	Ford dealership.
1974 - 1977	Owner(s) unknown	Registered IFE509.
1977 - 1978	Kennedy Miller Pty. Ltd.	Mad Max production.
1978 - 1981	Murray Smith, Melbourne, Victoria.	Gifted in lieu of film production wages.
1981	Kennedy Miller Pty. Ltd.	Mad Max 2 production.
1981 - 1982	Broken Hill autowrecker?	Transferred to Ray Evans?
1982 - 1983	Ray Evans, Upper Sturt Wreckers, Adelaide, S. Australia.	Displayed derelict outside the business.
1983 - 1993	Bob Fursenko, Adelaide, S. Australia.	Restored to roadworthy condition and repainted.
(1990 - 1993)	National Motor Museum, Birdwood, S. Australia.	On loan from Bob Fursenko.
1993 - 2011	Cars of the Stars Motor Museum, Keswick, UK	Sold by Bob Fursenko.
2011 - Present	Miami Auto Museum, Florida, USA	Relocated now named as the Orlando Auto Museum.
The weary and worn V8 Interceptor #1 soon after filming finished at Broken Hill and about the time it was taken to Upper Sturt Wreckers in Adelaide. Although not seen here, the passenger's side windscreen wiper went missing during filming and the supercharger air scoop hat was later damaged while it was on display outside the wreckers yard. Photo Source: Facebook - Mad Max Garage Inc.

V8 INTERCEPTOR #2 STUNT CAR
A second Ford Falcon was cast for the film which would be used for the high-risk stunt driving and chase scenes. It was a yellow coloured 1974 Ford XB Fairmont Hardtop that had a 302ci V8 and interestingly, a T-bar automatic floor shift transmission - this is presumably for stunt driving reasons with many vehicles operating in close proximity at speed. It was upgraded with all the same fittings as found on the #1 original car such as the Concorde nose, supercharger, 8-pipe zoomies and external fuel tanks but for some reason was only given an overall stain black paint finish? Being a Fairmont, several stock items had to be fitted as well: an XB GT bonnet (with locking pins), an XB GT fuel cap and the distinctive XB GT coupe side flutes behind the side doors. The interior dashboard and steering wheel remained standard Fairmont and much of the interior remained undecorated with the extra set pieces found in the #1 car. A black GT styled driver's seat however was installed to match the first car.
	JG67PL 57112 K
	Type:	1974 Ford XB Fairmont Hardtop
	Model:	18317
	Body Type:	65D
	VIN Number:	JG67PL 57112 K
	Country Built:	J	Australia
	Plant:	G	Broadmeadows, Melbourne
	Model Code:	67	Fairmont Hardtop
	Year Built:	P	1974
	Month Built:	L	January
	Engine:	Y	240hp 302ci (4.9L) V8 / 2V carb / HC
	Transmission:	B	Automatic 3-spd T-Bar Floor Shift
	Trim:	-	Unknown but most likely (B) Black Vinyl.
	Paint:	-	Known to be a 'yellow.' Either (A) Yellow Sand or (M) Yellow Blaze.
	Optioned RPOs:	-	Unknown at this time.
	SIDO No.:	-	Unknown at this time.
INTERCEPTOR #2 STUNT CAR DIFFERENCES
	The two V8 Interceptors used for the movie were virtually identical, however the #2 stunt car has a few notable major component and minor cosmetic differences as listed below:
	- The engine was a 302ci V8 not a GT configured 351ci V8.   - It has an automatic T-bar transmission.   - The front / back suspension is 'jacked up' with the wheel arches clearing the tyre radius.   - It has a noticeably overall satin black paint finish creating a more worn, faded look.   - The supercharger unit looks clean and new whereas the #1 car unit was weathered.   - There was slightly more weathering applied to the rear fuel tanks.   - There are no windscreen wipers.   - The right GT bonnet locking pin is missing with the right-side bonnet slightly buckled.   - It retains the original 2-spoke Fairmont steering wheel and dashboard.   - There is no dog seat and only minimum interior decoration with survival gear.   - Sometimes the vehicle has an interior windscreen-mounted rear view mirror fitted.
The #2 stunt car (left) compared to the #1 original car (right). Both were virtually identical to the eye except for a few minor differences such as the overall satin black paint and missing windscreen wipers on the #2 car. Note also the slightly buckled right-side bonnet (left) as compared to the original car on the right.
	Stuntman Max Aspin performing the (heart-braking for Ford fans!) V8 Interceptor roll scene that would crumple up the #2 stunt car so it could then be used for... Photo: via David Larter.
	...the steep ravine crash scene which was filmed at Red Hill 15km South of Broken Hill by rolling the Fairmont wreck off a parked truck via a steel cable release. Photo: via David Larter.
	The only surviving external fuel tank from the #2 stunt car. It measures 900mm long by 450mm in diameter for a capacity of 143 litres. It is now on display at Adrian Bennett's Mad Max 2 Museum at Silverton, NSW. Photo: Simon Beck.
	The somewhat rusted remains of the #2 stunt car as it is preserved today by Adrian Bennett at the Mad Max 2 Museum located at Silverton 20km from Broken Hill, NSW. Photo: Simon Beck.
	The moment in Mad Max 2 when the #2 stunt car smashes it's Concorde nose off by ramming a Ford Landau. This chase was filmed along Wilangee Road outside Silverton in May, 1981.
	The #2 stunt car front grille as it looks today. Only steel frame sections of the customised Concorde nose survived the movie rear-end smash (movie image above), and later crash and roll stunt. Photo: Simon Beck.
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