Eight-Tracks, Attache Cases, and Glue OH MY!

Whether you are a fan of The Blues Brothers movie and Saturday Night Live appearances or have seen the movie once or twice, some of the best and most memorable scenes in the movie are tied to specific props.

What I have found out while taking my car to events is that people that come to look at my car fall squarely into three groups.

Those that immediately get what it is.
Those that finally get what it is after looking at the car for 20 minutes.
Those that have no clue what it is and assume that it is from Car 54 or The Andy Griffith Show (WTF?!?!?!).

One of the first shows we attended, my wife thought that I should have some props so people got it. In all honesty, in my arrogant “But everybody knows the Bluesmobile” mind I was against the idea.

I have all important dash trash, there’s smashed Budweiser cans and a couple of packs of Chesterfields on the dashboard for JESUS H. TAP DANCING CHRISTS-SAKE!!!!

But then I thought about it. And like in most cases I said to myself, well she is probably right.

So I bought a “Tonight Only” reproduction poster off of eBay.

It was cheap, and if that didn’t drive the point home, then I don’t know what else I could do for you.

I think the turning point started when I decided that I was going to find a Craig Eight-Track player and cut a hole in the dash, just like in the movie.

There really is no point in cutting the dash for an Eight-Track player unless you have a The Best Of Sam & Dave Eight Track.

Finding obsolete technology is not the easiest thing to do. Especially if you want a screen accurate Craig Eight-Track player (S601 or S601). Yes they are out there. Some of them even work, but you will pay out the nose for one, because like most things needed to make a movie accurate Bluesmobile, the eight-track folks know there is a market for them.

While I still haven’t found a movie accurate one, I did find two (yes two) Craigs that will work. One is a brand new S682:

The second is a used S605

Since I don’t actually plan on connecting the radio to play, and will be there strictly because the Bluesmobile on there I plan on using the S605 on unknown working condition and save the new in box unit in case I change my mind. That decision also saved me a heck of a lot of time trying to find a Best of Sam & Dave eight track that actually played!!

All of the images I can find for a Sam & Dave eight track do not match what is on screen.

Either they have the wrong label.

Or wrong case and label…

So I made a hybrid version. Taking a screenshot of just the label from the movie I merged that with the cover art work to make my version.

I think that should do the trick for the time being! Look for the dash upgrades later on this year!

I actually had a good time making the eight-track label and thought to myself what else I do? I some some ideas from the other Bluesmobile sites, but didn’t want to directly copy someone’s work.

I made a bootleg window decal for St. Helen’s of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage. Its actually a modified jpeg printed on photo paper and stuck to the window with packing tape!

Then I made a couple of different Ray’s Music Exchange bumper sticker.

I have a few of the second version being made by an online printer. Once I get them, I’ll make sure to post a pic.

If you think I stopped there you would be wrong!!! This is where things got really nutty!!!

Vintage attache case secured to the steering wheel. Wouldn’t want anyone taking my harmonica and yankee screwdriver!

I found a vintage attache case on etsy for a really good price. This one almost matches Elwood’s case in the movie, while I was at it I also bout the rounded leg irons in order for me to secure my briefcase while I am away.

Inside my attache case I have:

One Harmonica (no picture needed, everyone knows what a harmonica looks like).
One Yankee Screwdriver, just like what was shown in the movie
And one can of Air Grade Marine Epoxy
This is glue. Strong stuff.

I made the label by had with PowerPoint and Presentation. I think it looks pretty close!!!