This exotic roadster was built by Pasadena coachbuilders Bohman and Schwartz to feature in the 1937 comedy, Topper, starring Cary Grant and Constance Bennett as fun-loving ghosts.
1936 Buick/Chrysler roadster from the movie Topper
Its teardrop fenders, swooping lines and prominent dorsal fin made it stand out even among other exotic cars of the day. After Topper the car was sold by the studio to Gilmore Oil, who repainted it cream and red and used it to promote their Red Lion gasoline, towing a lion cub behind in a trailer.
Topper movie poster
In the 1940's, under the direction of Mobil Gas (who had bought Gilmore Oil), the roadster was returned to the coachbuilder for updated bodywork.
Rechristened the 'Mobil Special' in 1954 the car's body was placed on its current Chrysler chassis by Chris Bohman & Sons.
Around 1970, Movie World in Buena Park purchased the car and had Von Dutch add their logo to the side.
Buick/Chrysler roadster driven by Cary Grant in the film Topper
The movie car was photographed on display at The Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. on March 2, 2010.
Buy the movies in the USA: Topper / Topper Returns (Enhanced) 1941
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