Barbie Movie - Chevrolet Corvette 1957
Warner Bros. just responded to a list of questions sent in about the Barbie Corvette. We got answers from Nico Ferrari (great name!) who runs ‘Picture Vehicles,’ the company that worked on all the vehicles in the film. Who knew it was remote-controlled?
Autoweek: How did you choose the Corvette to be Barbie's car? Were any other cars considered? She has been associated with many different models over the years, from an Austin-Healey to a Ferrari.
Nico Ferrari: Truth is, a decision of this magnitude involves a huge element of product placement discussions with multiple manufacturers. Other vehicles were considered, but the relationship with Corvette was the most attractive from all angles.
AW: Does the car in the movie actually drive?
NF: Yes, but not by the driver inside! The car was driven remotely by an operator using a VR headset! This was felt the safest option to allow Margot to fully express herself in the vehicle without having to worry about controlling the vehicle.
AW: How did you build it? Is it on the frame rails of another car or is it all a unique platform?
NF: A lot of hard work from an amazing crew! Nothing on the car is ‘off the shelf.' Everything, including the chassis and the body had to be custom made. There are no components from an existing car on the Barbie car we built. It wasn't possible to use anything from a real world car as it would all be too big! The Barbie car is 23% smaller than the original Corvette, so the whole car had to be drawn, manufactured and installed to create the finished piece!
AW: What powers it? I assume it's a small electric motor? Is it front wheel-drive or rear wheel-drive?
NF: A small electric motor, similar to the type found in a golf buggy. Direct drive to a rear differential to power the rear wheels! Very simple, very easy! Some hidden 12volt batteries from a fork lift hidden under the rear passenger seat!
AW: Does Barbie - Margot - actually drive it, as in step on an accelerator pedal and steer, or is it on a rail of some sort?
NF: It cannot be operated from inside the car, the only way to move it is the VR remote system which was installed by the SFX (Special Effects) team. It doesn’t even have fake pedals inside, just a steering wheel!
AW: Is there only one or were there several cars for different scenes?
NF: In total, we made 5. Margot’s never changed and was a different shade of pink to two other cars which were a darker more vibrant pink. We also made a yellow and a blue. The blue car was the one we wrapped in Ken’s Kendom graphic with the flames.
AW: Is there a motor home in the movie? Does that drive?
NF: No motorhome, but two ambulances. One for when Ken has his accident on the beach and ‘Weird Barbie’ has an ambulance to use when she’s collecting the Barbie’s for reprogramming. These are based on the same system and technology as the Barbie cars!
Barbie Movie - Chevrolet Corvette 1957
Warner Bros. just responded to a list of questions sent in about the Barbie Corvette. We got answers from Nico Ferrari (great name!) who runs ‘Picture Vehicles,’ the company that worked on all the vehicles in the film. Who knew it was remote-controlled?
Autoweek: How did you choose the Corvette to be Barbie's car? Were any other cars considered? She has been associated with many different models over the years, from an Austin-Healey to a Ferrari.
Nico Ferrari: Truth is, a decision of this magnitude involves a huge element of product placement discussions with multiple manufacturers. Other vehicles were considered, but the relationship with Corvette was the most attractive from all angles.
AW: Does the car in the movie actually drive?
NF: Yes, but not by the driver inside! The car was driven remotely by an operator using a VR headset! This was felt the safest option to allow Margot to fully express herself in the vehicle without having to worry about controlling the vehicle.
AW: How did you build it? Is it on the frame rails of another car or is it all a unique platform?
NF: A lot of hard work from an amazing crew! Nothing on the car is ‘off the shelf.' Everything, including the chassis and the body had to be custom made. There are no components from an existing car on the Barbie car we built. It wasn't possible to use anything from a real world car as it would all be too big! The Barbie car is 23% smaller than the original Corvette, so the whole car had to be drawn, manufactured and installed to create the finished piece!
AW: What powers it? I assume it's a small electric motor? Is it front wheel-drive or rear wheel-drive?
NF: A small electric motor, similar to the type found in a golf buggy. Direct drive to a rear differential to power the rear wheels! Very simple, very easy! Some hidden 12volt batteries from a fork lift hidden under the rear passenger seat!
AW: Does Barbie - Margot - actually drive it, as in step on an accelerator pedal and steer, or is it on a rail of some sort?
NF: It cannot be operated from inside the car, the only way to move it is the VR remote system which was installed by the SFX (Special Effects) team. It doesn’t even have fake pedals inside, just a steering wheel!
AW: Is there only one or were there several cars for different scenes?
NF: In total, we made 5. Margot’s never changed and was a different shade of pink to two other cars which were a darker more vibrant pink. We also made a yellow and a blue. The blue car was the one we wrapped in Ken’s Kendom graphic with the flames.
AW: Is there a motor home in the movie? Does that drive?
NF: No motorhome, but two ambulances. One for when Ken has his accident on the beach and ‘Weird Barbie’ has an ambulance to use when she’s collecting the Barbie’s for reprogramming. These are based on the same system and technology as the Barbie cars!