Mobtown, the 2020 film about the 1957 mob summit, was in need of a 1955 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 to serve as the Carmine Galante car. As none could be located, the film company accepted the offer of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air, owned by SAH member Mark Axen. Excited by this new automotive adventure, Mark headed to Rhinebeck, New York for filming. Cruising the remote town, Appalachin New York trooper Sgt. Ed Croswell noticed an unusual number of luxury cars with out-of-state plates. As Mark tells it, ‘discovering a mafia meet up of national bigs at the Joe ‘The Barber’ Barbara estate, a raid was on!’
Mark’s Bel Air had several on-screen appearances. As he notes, ‘hurry up and wait was the rule of the day.’ The most interesting part of the shoot was what went on behind the scenes.
Asked if he wanted to be an extra, Mark jumped at the chance for Hollywood stardom. Dolled up in an ill-fitting suit, Mark positioned himself for his 30 seconds of fame in a background dining room scene. As Mark exclaims, ‘no agents have called yet.’
Quoting Hagerty, Mark reminds us that the car hobby by itself can be a lonely one, if not for the people you meet and the adventures you embark on.
Scenes from the shoot include a photo of Mark wearing a fedora next to actor David Arquette. (ma)
The prior newsletter shared the name of a new member, Robert Snyder, but nothing about him except his location in Portland, Oregon.
Ah but your correspondent (hvh by initials!) has nefarious means to enable finding out more!!
Seems Mr Snyder had read in that same newsletter where his joining SAH was announced about a book titled Fundamental Carburetion and ordered a copy for himself. The author of the self-published book makes a habit of inquiring how a purchaser learned of his book. As Dean Tryon and I share a LONGtime friendship he makes sure to cc me with information and news. So here’s Snyder’s somewhat foreshortened reply to Dean:
“I joined the SAH because your book, Dean, was mentioned in the society’s president’s February post and being a old-car addict, who loves all things carbureted and points-based, I thought I should have a copy because one can never learn too much when it comes to understanding these little miracles.”
I subsequently corresponded with Robert. What follows is an excerpt from his reply to me: “I’ve loved cars as long as I can remember and even before that according to my parents. My interests are varied but I do enjoy working on and maintaining the cars in my small collection. I find carburetors to be such ingenious and interesting devices that when I read about Dean’s book, I naturally had to get a copy to read. I enjoy learning about old tech and have a copy of Dyke’s Automotive and Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia that is an absolute treasure trove of prior mechanical knowledge.
“I became interested in the SAH after reading several books recently so I googled “automotive historian” to see if there was such a thing and found the SAH. I love learning about the technology these early cars employed and the incredible craftsmanship that went into making them. I hope that provides a small window into who I am. Thanks for asking. Robert “ (hvh)