8/10
California Fever down under...
12 September 2006
Yes we got the California Fever TV series down in New Zealand in 1979-80. I was 12 yrs old and realised there was no God in the universe when we saw 16 yr old kids in the US driving hotted up cars like that to school. Vinnie had a metalflake painted '70 Firebird with fat cragars, Ross had the customised Ford van which was later replaced with some kind of mad max lookin' 4x4, Laurie had a beat up 69 fastback Mustang. The 4 on the floor kids hung out at Ricks Place (Lorenzo Lamas) which looked to be shot at Newport Beach by the wharf. Was there a year or 2 ago, wondered if it was the location, good ice creams there anyway. Pretty straight line show story and acting wise, young disco bunnies (hehe) cool cars, lamo bands etc. However had an appealing cheese factor, and a couple of believable actors cast. Would be keen to see again as was a great time capsule for the times... flare kitted vans, disco, polyester tees, beaches, crusin, even some illegal drag racing. Like Chips they would always be helping out some poor sod, and squeezing in the latest California fad every episode. Would particularly like to see the first episode (may have been the pilot) which featured some authentic cruise night footage which may have been shot on Sunset or Van Vuys, was hoping for more of that action throughout the series. Appeared to capture the perception of the southern Cali vibe of the late 70's. Deserves 8 out of 10 just for petrolhead appeal.
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