LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A movie can have a profound impact on someone\u2019s life and for one Lubbock man that movie is American Graffiti.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been into cars ever since I was able to stand up and hand my dad a wrench in the driveway,\u201d Puryear said. \u201cI followed him around my whole childhood, he drag raced, we built cars my whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen it so many times, I just love it,\u201d Puryear said. \u201cIt\u2019s the ultimate car movie, it\u2019s probably the best car movie of all time. Some people say it\u2019s the greatest movie of all time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Puryear first saw American Graffiti in the 1980\u2019s, and one thing that stuck out to him was the high-profile actors in it that got their start as a result.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got Harrison Ford, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Paul Le Mat, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI originally was going to get the \u201932 ford, the \u201955 chevy and the \u201958 impala,\u201d Puryear said. \u201cThat was kind of the top three cars, and then I started looking at the others and said why not make it a complete set.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, more than a year later, Puryear has finished his goal. From Toad\u2019s Vespa to Steve\u2019s \u201958 Impala, Milner\u2019s \u201932 Coupe, Bob\u2019s \u201955 Sedan, Curt\u2019s \u201967 Citroen, Joe\u2019s \u201951 mercury, Laurie\u2019s \u201958 Corsair and even the classic Thunderbird and the police car that had its wheels go flying.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMackenzie Phillips, who played the girl in the \u201932 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,\u201d Puryear said. \u201cWe had a good time, the people were so kind and nice and hospitable in Maryland.\u201d<\/p>\n