Premiering as a prime time movie in 1974, "The California Kid" movie boosted the acting careers of Martin Sheen (the kid), Nick Nolte (to truck driver), Vic Morrow (the evil sheriff), and others. But more importantly it exposed millions of TV viewers to an automobile that exemplifies what hot rodding is all about. A mean machine: chopped, flamed, louvered, down in front, and of course - highly powered! A car practical enough to be driven daily on the street or across the country, and at the same time capable of meeting challenges beyond the range of the average car. The movie climaxes in a heads-up chase where the California Kid outmaneuvers, outperforms the speed crazed villain on a winding mountain road.