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Mad Max fan builds replica Interceptor, moves to Outback
A British man's 27-year obsession with the post-apocalyptic biker movie Mad Max has led to him moving his family to a tiny town in the middle of the Australian Outback, The Times reported.
Adrian Bennett first saw the iconic Australian film Mad Max and its sequel The Road Warrior, which starred Mel Gibson as a revengeful drifter who wanders the Outback with his police Interceptor car and his devoted dog, as a double bill at the cinema when he was a teenager in England in 1982.
Now 45, Bennett has decided to fulfill his dream of living in the same town where the first two movies were made and has moved his wife Linda and two of his sons from their home in Bradford, Yorkshire, to Silverton near Broken Hill on the border of New South Wales and South Australia.
He says he moved to the tiny and remote Outback town, which is located more than 800 miles west of Sydney and has a population of just 51 (including the Bennetts), so he can set up a Mad Max museum in his backyard where he can park his custom-made made replica black Interceptor.
"From the opening credits of the first film to the closing credits of Mad Max 2 my jaw was on the floor, I couldn't believe what I was seeing and I was totally hooked," Bennett told The Times of the moment his obsession began over two decades ago.
He says it was "everything—the costumes, the characters, the location and the vehicles" which attracted him to the film and led him to a life of collecting Mad Max-related memorabilia.
A panel beater and crash repairer by trade, Bennett even created his own version of Max's Interceptor car after exporting a Ford Falcon Coupe from the U.S. He has even acquired his own blue heeler cattle dog, aptly named Dog, after Max's own faithful companion in the movie.
The Bennetts first moved from England to Adelaide in South Australia three years ago before finally buying a house in Silverton last month, and are now living off their savings while Bennett begins to plan his museum.
By Adoe at 11:45 AM ON 09/01/09
Mad Dogs and Englishmen: Don't we do eccentric well?
By Digger at 11:58 AM ON 09/01/09
When a man resorts to doing something like this you know its Thunderdome out there ,baby! (bad pun intended)
By UnRiel at 12:14 PM ON 09/01/09
I'm still waiting patiently for Mad Max 4. Maybe this will help inspire it.
By David Dvorkin at 12:25 PM ON 09/01/09
This is surely grounds for divorce.
By Matto at 12:28 PM ON 09/01/09
What kind of idiot moves his children out to a place like that? Taking them from their schools and a normal life so he can live his obsession?
Some people take moves waaaay to seriously.
By eDrone at 12:35 PM ON 09/01/09
Don't Worry, people that have nothing better to do usually don't get to have sex much lesse reproduce .... !!! so lame
By kizer at 1:41 PM ON 09/01/09
When I read this article I hear banjo's playin in the background and think of a couple of hillbillys jumping around drinking from a jug.
Common build your car, drive it around and act like your Mel Gibson and then park it and go to work the next day. Don't ruin your kids lives because your an idiot.
By MUADIB at 3:05 PM ON 09/01/09
wHATS NEXT? SOMEONE MAKING HIS DOG INTO THE ENTERPRISE WITH TWO BEER C......NEVER MIND.
By Shooter at 3:06 PM ON 09/01/09
Further more, this idiot is going to build a museum in a town of 51 people (including his own family)! What a freaking financial genius!!!
By Psi-Man at 4:08 PM ON 09/01/09
I wonder if he has Condolini's arm in his museum...lol!
By wraith at 4:56 PM ON 09/01/09
By Wilcoy at 5:36 PM ON 09/01/09
Rock on Mr. Bennett...open a drive in theater their in the outback with your museum and show Mad Max and post apocalyptic movies. I bet people will come...
By Scanner at 6:33 PM ON 09/01/09
What gets me is people moan and complain that they have all kinds of rights and that everyone should accept diversity, then they turn around on someone who exercises those rights because it's not what "they" like or what "they" would do. What a bunch of hypocrites.
Bennett, you go right on ahead, and all the power to ya. And if you want to built a starship out of tin cans, go use MUADIB'S, cause he obviously didn't want them anyway. :)
By Scanner at 6:37 PM ON 09/01/09
Oops, sorry, I meant BEER cans. Don't want to dis on MUADIB's drinking habits. lol
By Rico at 7:29 PM ON 09/01/09
Well said, Scanner. Well said.
By duneboat at 10:04 PM ON 09/01/09
if i'm ever in Australia, i'd go check it out. maybe even have a couple of Fosters afterwards (that's Aussie for beer), and, yes, i have to say it, maybe even a little shrimp on ...... MORE POWER TO YA MR BENNETT
By MUADIB at 2:53 PM ON 09/02/09
LIGHTEN UP SCANNER ,IT WAS A JOKE JEEEZ! (BTW,I DON'T ALWAYS DRINK BEER BUT WHEN I DO I DRINK DOSXX'S)CAN'T STAND BUDWISER.SARCASM OFF.
By duneboat at 4:11 PM ON 09/02/09
@ scanner and muadib:
why can't we all get along!?
By Dragon1964 at 5:13 PM ON 09/02/09
Thought the interceptor was an AMX - 2 seater, 405CI? Not a Ford Falcon Coupe!!!??
Oh yea replica - nevermind
By donbodin at 12:27 PM ON 09/03/09
The things we do for the love of Mad Max: www.TheFugitiveMind.com
By muadib at 3:15 PM ON 09/03/09
ya ,thats right ,it was an amx.the car went on tour at a scifi (notsyfy) convention a few years back and it was (at least the car there)an amx.
By Adrian Bennett at 11:19 PM ON 09/05/09
To all who left compliments,thank you......now to the retards.....first off my 4 children are 27,23,22and 20 and they love it,secondly this is how much of a financial genius I am...Silverton has 140,000 tourists each year! read the articles! and lastly the car was a 1973 Ozzy Ford Falcon XBGT coupe,it lives in the cars of the stars museum in the UK,again thanks to all who left intelligent and positive comments,but the rest....well I rest my case!
By furyroad at 5:17 PM ON 09/06/09
COOL Adrian, Some people just don't get it and they are passionate about nothing ! I am right there with ya on the Mad Max obsession. I have what I think may be the most extensive assortment of Mad Max memorabilia items as well as some custom made things you may want for your museum. And of course I have the car also but not fully replicated yet. E-mail me and I will send you some pictures. furyroad@sbcglobal.net John Hoyt
By Maxxie at 7:15 PM ON 09/07/09
This guy is a moron, he didn't even use the right car.
By Scotty at 1:32 AM ON 09/08/09
Well Maxxie, Enlighten us, what is the right car to use?
By celticwitan at 6:21 PM ON 09/10/09
The car was a 1973 or 1974 Ford Falcon xb Hard top coupe, With a custom front clip,roof spoiler etc.. and some other cars had the same body type and it doesnt matter becuase so much of the car requires replacement by a kit. AMX Javelin had a differant body in. go to www.madmaxcars.com and google mad max car. Now that I defended the guy, my wisecracks. So I hear this guy makes his 2 boys dress up like dog boy, and his wife has to dress up like Auntie! I think I am gonna make a Crocadile Dundee museum next door to him! lol JK.. I would like to know how much it costs to build the replica. I always wanted one myself. Was looking it up and researching it when I found this page.
By celticwitan at 6:35 PM ON 09/10/09
Some sites that find the used car and do the restoration say 1973, some say 1974. It has to cost about $100,000.00 at least between the conversion kit, the total restoration, and all the authentic little things. Then there's shipping them overseas and import taxes etc. These cars are replicated in great detail, and really awesome. "The original Interceptor was created using a 1973 Ford XB GT Falcon Hardtop (XB GT Falcon Coupe) as the base vehicle. For the first movie a wing was added to the roof and trunk lid. Wheel opening flares were grafted on and a complete new nose cone was added. These were the major changes to the body of the car. The good news is that a GT is not required for the job, a 1973 - 1976 Falcon or Fairmont is virtually identical and is a much more economical choice." http://www.aussiecoupes.com/max.html
So you see, this guy actually used the correct car, even though not neccessary. And what a lucky find too. "As there were only 949 XB GTs ever made they have become a very collectable Australian Muscle Car. There are probably less than 500 GTs remaining now."
By celticwitan at 7:12 PM ON 09/10/09
People who are seeking this type of car to make a replica are really saving a classic muscle car from being smashed for scrap! Some make the beutiful interceptor, some make the Road Warrior type. I would think that the road warrior one isnt made from a rare 1973 XB GT as it is made to look old and beat up and weathered from miles of wandering and battles along the way. Easilly made back into a showcar becuase it is already fully restored. It is supposed to look beat up, but is in the same condition structurally and machanically as any show car. The front bumper is gone on it to acommondate the rough outback terrain.. It normally would be lower in the front with the bumper for aerodynamics. The back hatch is gone also, to accomidate the 2 fuel tanks taken from I believe double decker buses. Those also have to be found and fitted into the trunk area. I have always wondered how the blower doesnt get full of water in the rain, or the zoomie exaust pipes that stick out on the sides. and with no hatchback, doesnt the rain get in? Aslo wondering if you keep the same 351 Cleveland, modify it or not... and use the fake blower or a real one. And I am courious amout the gas milege.I would think in a time when gas is scarce, an economy car would be better if you insist on driving. But then all the bad guys could get you. What a conundrum! I guess thats why only use the blower in an emergency! I had a 74 cougar with a 351 Cleveland once. That engine sounds so nice with cherry bomb glasspack mufflers. Very agile car. I can almost imagine how it feels to drive the interceptor. I am jealous. I understand how it feels to drive for miles in a cool car. My 1971 454 ss was my best car. I just wanted to drive forever. many thousands of miles. sleep in the back seat even. Its a great feeling. I dont think you are nuts at all. If you can afford what makes you happy, do it.
By Rer at 4:50 AM ON 09/11/09
Good for you Adrian. Few people actually every act on their dreams like Adrian, hat off to yah. I think what you're doing is awesome!
To all the haters, I doubt you know much about the guy and from your comments it's apparent you don't. why jump to conclusions?
By Cap'n Walker at 1:20 PM ON 09/11/09
Only jump to conclusions if you have a 'Jump to Conclusions' Mat
Besides the A-Team Van is waaaaay cooler!
By Cap'n Walker at 1:24 PM ON 09/11/09
Now you know why we fought for Independence in the States. This guy is probably descended from King George III. None of these shenanigans stateside...no sir...only cool Star Trek stuff like Enterprise cups from fast food joints and little starship Xmas ornaments that light up. You know, the stuff COOL people like.
By celticwitan at 12:58 AM ON 09/12/09
What really sucks is that Mel Gibson wont do Mad Max 4, so they are gonna make a cheaper 3-D animae movie!!! Just becuase he became a religious zealot!! He used to be a hero to many people. He shoulda starred in the Passion, so we could have seen him whipped for losing touch with reality and his fans! How awesome would it be for a Mad Max 4 movie? I bet it would set records. And, With the special effects we have today and the smarter writers, and more music that is awesome (if they played rap on this it would ruin the whole mood and feel of the series) they could make a work of art. It is a damn shame. I don't think Mel has anything else going right now, why can't he do 1 more movie for the fans? It sure would restore my respect for him. He has great movies!
By celticwitan at 1:14 AM ON 09/12/09
BTW it was a 71 ss 454 chevelle with a rebuilt engine and etc and paint.. I was one with my car.. When that cowl induction flap opened up it sounded like a jet plane... I once opened it up on a highway after babying it.. I got to 100 MPH.. Cowl was open.. Was like a jet! Not to risk a ticket I was about to back off the gass when some forign race car zipped past me!!! Well not to risk death or hurt my 454 engine I didnt push it. I babied my car. I often wonder how fast I coulda went! Coulda woulda shoulda right? I coulda been killed if it was outta control becuase of 1971 suspension. It had a 400 turbo Tranny and a 3:72 limited slip posi rear.. but looking back I made a wise choice.. There are cars on the autoban that do 200 MPH every day. Better to have a fast agile car that had a nice sounding engine and can beat most, than die trying to beat a foriegn race car with a muscle car. I would still rather have a big block muscle car any day.
By ziggy windscreens at 10:45 AM ON 10/27/09
hello adrian, remember 'ziggy' windscreens, I fit your falcon w/s still got your photo of car pride of place in my office, good luck with museum. if you want a w/s fitting give me a call.
By mark spraynaway at 5:58 PM ON 01/22/10
hi ady linda n all,keep tryin to contact you messages all ova,yet no reply,guess you dont want owt to do wiv old bradford lot anymore? email me?
well take care av fun
mark n karen
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mark spraynaway:
hi ady linda n all,keep tryin to contact you messages all ova,yet no reply,guess you dont want owt to do wiv old br...More »