LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A movie can have a profound impact on someone’s life and for one Lubbock man that movie is American Graffiti.
Roughly 50 years after its release, Rich Puryear decided it was time to take his love of the movie and showcase it to the world.
“I’ve been into cars ever since I was able to stand up and hand my dad a wrench in the driveway,” Puryear said. “I followed him around my whole childhood, he drag raced, we built cars my whole life.”
The world got to meet Steve, Milner, Curt and the rest of the gang on August 11, 1973. They also laid eyes on what it was like to experience 1962 in Modesto, California, with vintage cars being shown throughout.
“I’ve seen it so many times, I just love it,” Puryear said. “It’s the ultimate car movie, it’s probably the best car movie of all time. Some people say it’s the greatest movie of all time.”
Puryear first saw American Graffiti in the 1980’s, and one thing that stuck out to him was the high-profile actors in it that got their start as a result.
“You got Harrison Ford, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Paul Le Mat, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips.”
Puryear has always wanted to own a tribute car collection inspired by the film, and in August of last year, he decided now was his time to fulfill his dream.
“I originally was going to get the ’32 ford, the ’55 chevy and the ’58 impala,” Puryear said. “That was kind of the top three cars, and then I started looking at the others and said why not make it a complete set.”
Now, more than a year later, Puryear has finished his goal. From Toad’s Vespa to Steve’s ’58 Impala, Milner’s ’32 Coupe, Bob’s ’55 Sedan, Curt’s ’67 Citroen, Joe’s ’51 mercury, Laurie’s ’58 Corsair and even the classic Thunderbird and the police car that had its wheels go flying.
Puryear and his father Cecil are now going to classic car shows in Lubbock and across the country to let people experience the tribute up close and personal, with the crew visiting Baltimore earlier this month.
“Mackenzie Phillips, who played the girl in the ’32 Ford, she was 12 when they filmed the movie, she was there signing autographs as well as Candy Clark, who played Debbie in the movie,” Puryear said. “We had a good time, the people were so kind and nice and hospitable in Maryland.”
If you want your chance to see the collection in person, this Saturday is your lucky day. From 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. the vehicles will be at Highland Oaks for the 8th annual Hot Rods in the Park, along with activities and food trucks.
Puryear hopes he can bring joy to so many people with this collection and is happy his dad is joining him every step of the way.
“I’ve had classic cars in the past, but not as many people can relate to that specific car,” Puryear said. “There are millions that relate to this show because a lot of people were inspired by it, so when they see these cars, it brings back memories of that movie.”
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