TodayFilm star on display at All-Chrysler Nationals
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The 1958 Plymouth Belvedere that was featured in the 1983 hit movie “Christine.” (Michael Bupp/The Sentinel)
“Christine,” a bright red 1958 Plymouth Fury, was a car with a mind of its own that ended up possessing its owner in the Stephen King novel and 1983 film of the same name.
Bill Gibson, of Pensacola, Fla., knows how a car can take over its owner’s life. He took out liens on his home and car and emptied his bank account in order to purchase one of the original “Christine” Plymouths from the film.
Gibson purchased a 1958 Plymouth Belvedere (nearly identical to the Fury), which was used as a stunt car in the film.
The car, which was purchased by the production company in 1982, had been sold as scrap metal after the film, but was later purchased and eventually restored.
The car was in top condition. “I didn’t have to do anything to it,” Gibson said. For the past three years, Gibson has been showing the car at shows across the country – most recently at the All-Chrysler Nationals presented by Carlisle Events at the Carlisle Fairgrounds.
“I fell in love with the movie 25 years ago,” Gibson explained of his quest to purchase “Christine.”
In conjunction with the car show display, the Cumberland Drive-in in Newville is showing the classic “Christine” this weekend.
But thanks to Gibson, the car that wreaked havoc on the townsfolk in the film is helping people suffering from Huntington’s Disease.
At each car show he attends with “Christine,” Gibson sells raffle tickets to help fund research for Huntington’s.
Huntington’s Disease is a progressive, degenerative, inherited neurological disease that causes certain nerve cells in the brain to waste away. Those who suffer from the disease often have uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances and mental deterioration.
At the Carlisle show, Gibson is selling tickets to win a die-cast replica of the car. The 1:18 scale model is autographed by film director John Carpenter and actors Keith Gordon, John Stockwell and Alexandra Paul.
All proceeds from the tickets go to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America Oklahoma Chapter.
It’s a cause that is driven by the car’s history – Gibson purchased the car from a man whose son suffered from Huntington’s.
“Christine” attracted a lot of attention at the car show. “It’s an amazing car,” said Anthony Belsito, of Cinnaminson, N.J. “It’s beautiful.”
Adam Lindenbaum of Monticello, N.Y., agreed.
“It’s definitely beautiful,” he said. Lindenbaum said he’s seen the movie many times. “I stopped counting at 33 or 34.”
But it wasn’t the plot that drew the Plymouth collector to the film. “The car is what made the movie,” Lindenbaum said.
