Happy New Year From Rick Hendrick Chevrolet!

No matter where you end up celebrating tonight, we at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet want you to be safe and plan ahead. If you don't already have a designated driver in your traveling party, or if you're traveling alone, check out these sites to see what programs are available in your area that will get you and your car safely home.

On AAA's website you can read about their Holiday Safe Ride Home program. The program is limited to certain states as only some AAA clubs offer this service. If the state where you're celebrating isn't listed, check out their DUI Justice Link.  In affiliation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration they have created a list of programs available in each state that are prepared to help folks get safely home for the new year.

                               

We will be closing at 6 pm this evening so our associates can get home to celebrate the coming of the new year with their families. Before your New Year's celebration, stop by 1500 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407, For the last day to get a $25 Gift Card when you take a test drive! From all of us at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet to all our friends in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, and the surrounding coastal Carolina areas, Happy New Year!

Now At Rick Hendrick Chevrolet - The All New 2014 Chevrolet SS!

The highly anticipated 2014 Chevrolet SS has arrived at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet!

This athletic-inspired sedan has had Chevy enthusiasts all over on the edge of their seats for its release. It is the first Chevrolet to take SS as a model name rather than a trim designation, and the first rear-drive Chevy sedan since the 1996 Impala SS. It has been elegantly crafted with a bold and sharp athletic design. With features that come standard for this model, like the head-up display that projects the SS's vital statistics onto the windshield, the Chevrolet MyLink feature, and automatic parking assist, it's no wonder Chevy-lovers are eager to see the 2014 SS hit the showroom floor.
                                                 

Style and technology aren't the only sights folks are waiting to see, either.

Safety features like Stabilitrak, the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert radar sensors lend the sporty sedan a protective and intuitive feel, making this model a good choice for parents who still want to feel young and sporty behind the wheel. The 2014 SS also boasts 415-horsepower that will get this model from 0 to 60 MPH in 5 seconds! It's racetrack proven with "the same rear-wheel-drive small block V8 configuration as its NASCAR® sibling.", according to Chevrolet's website. These features combined bring the safety, security and elegance of a sedan together with the power and control of a sports car.
                                                  

Folks from all over Charleston, Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant, and the surrounding areas should stop by 1500 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407 to test drive the 2014 Chevy SS and see for themselves why this model has been so eagerly awaited, and feel for themselves what it is to have style, luxury, speed, safety, and technology at their fingertips!

Winter Weather & MPGS: Tips To Warm Your Pockets

Winter Weather And Your MPGS

So, why exactly does colder weather throw a wrench at most vehicles’ regular fuel economy? Well, there are lots of reasons actually, but friction is a big one. While it's always an issue, cold weather increases friction on almost every front. Most vehicle fluids, from motor oil and transmission fluid to power steering fluid and differential gear oil, are thicker and more resistant to flowing when cold. Translation: Harder to pump, more work for the engine. Another less obvious source of friction is rolling resistance.

First of all, cold temperatures lower the pressure in your vehicle’s tires by 1 to 2 PSI for every 10 degrees that the temperature plummets. Secondly, when the weather turns foul, vehicles must work harder to push through snow and slush. Both of these conditions equal greater rolling resistance and more fuel used to cover the same distance. Add to that the fact that gasoline doesn’t atomize and burn as well in cold temperatures; trace amounts of unburned fuel are left in the cylinder and evacuated with the exhaust. Yes, it’s a double-whammy. Not only does that unburned fuel equal lost power, it also substantially increases your vehicle’s emissions. But that’s not all—throw in heavy use of the heater, winter gas formulations and short trips to and fro, and it’s a recipe for pain at the pump.

What’s Happening under that Hood

All vehicles have an optimum operating temperature, and the colder it is, the longer it takes to get there. While modern engines make very efficient use of the fuel mixture entering the engine, they rely upon the oxygen sensor to monitor the O2 content of the exhaust, as well as sensors for manifold pressure, mass air flow, throttle position, and coolant temperature, among others. All of this information is communicated to the vehicle’s computer that continually adjusts ignition and valve timing as well as fuel injector pulse width, to fine tune the amount of fuel delivered to each cylinder. This is done many times per second. But here’s the caveat—this engine-management system is only at tip-top efficiency when the engine is at full operating temperature. And when the mercury’s showing low, all vehicles require longer periods of time to reach that full operating temperature—and it’s in that warm-up period that efficiency is lost.

Add to that the common practice of making short trips (to minimize running to and fro in sub-zero temps and wind chills), and each time your vehicle cools down it has to come back up to optimal operating temperature. It all takes its toll.

Bottom Line: Here are the Tips

Here are some quick and easy ways to minimize the dip that your vehicle’s fuel mileage takes in the winter months:

• Check your tire air pressure monthly—and keep it in the recommended range. Even if you don’t have an air compressor, you can invest in a tire-checking gauge and then swing in to the gas station. That’s five minutes that can save more than $5/month.
• Plan your trips ahead of time—and do all your errands in one area at one time. By minimizing the stop-and-start, sporadic on-and-off operation of your vehicle in sub-zero temperatures, you’ll not only save time, you’ll minimize the amount of time your vehicle spends in warm-up mode.
• Go easy on the accelerator. We can all take this advice. And it’s easily worth 1-2 mpg. Avoid jack rabbit starts and heavy motor-down mama driving. The guy in front of you will appreciate it—and the results will show up on your next fuel bill; plus, it might help prevent a wipe-out on black ice.
• When possible, park your vehicle in a garage to keep it warmer, thereby shortening the time needed to reach full operating temperature.
• Consider a block heater, an oil pan heating pad or a fuel heater for cars parked outside in frigid parts of the country; the initial expense will be recouped many times in added fuel efficiency.
• And last but certainly not least, bring your car by our service center at 1500 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407, to take advantage of our oil change special, that comes complete with a 27-point inspection, and we'll help you get your vehicle in peak running condition for these coming frigid months.

American As Chevy and Major League Baseball

Nothing is as American as baseball, and today is a proud day for the MLB and Chevy, as Nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet were announced on Monday by Major League Baseball, in honor of today's 12th annual Roberto Clemente Day and the start of fan voting to help determine the recipient of this prestigious honor.

Roberto Clemente Day was established by MLB to honor Clemente's legacy and to officially recognize 30 nominees, one for each club. The annual award, won last year by Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, goes to the player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.

The Roberto Clemente Award, presented during the World Series, pays tribute to the namesake's achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. Clemente, a 15-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

American League nominees include Adam Jones of the Orioles, Craig Breslow of the Red Sox, Hector Santiago of the White Sox, Justin Masterson of the Indians, Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, Jose Altuve of the Astros, Billy Butler of the Royals, Jered Weaver of the Angels, Justin Morneau of the Twins, David Robertson of the Yankees, Sean Doolittle of the A's, Raul Ibanez of the Mariners, David Price of the Rays and J.P. Arencibia of the Blue Jays and Ian Kinsler of the Rangers.

National League nominees include Aaron Hill of the D-backs, Tim Hudson of the Braves, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs, Bronson Arroyo of the Reds, Todd Helton of the Rockies, Adrian Gonzalez of the Dodgers, Logan Morrison of the Marlins, Jonathan Lucroy of the Brewers, David Wright of the Mets, Chase Utley of the Phillies, Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates, Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals, Mark Kotsay of the Padres, Barry Zito of the Giants and Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals.

"It's an honor to be nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award," said Masterson. "So many people have been nominated in the past have done such great things. To whom much is given, much is required, and I try to live by that."

"Look at Roberto Clemente, at what he did," McCutchen said. "I don't want people to know me because I played baseball. I want people to know me for other things I did outside a baseball field. Yeah, Clemente was a great baseball player, but the things he did off the field said more about him. That's the person that I admire, and that's how I want to be."

The finalist selection process is nothing new for Hudson, who has garnered his seventh nomination in the past eight years, but he has yet to win the overall MLB award. Hudson was also nominated four times (2001-2004) while playing for the A's.

"Giving back and helping children is something that my wife, Kim, and I have enjoyed doing throughout my big league career," Hudson said previously. "We know how fortunate we are, and the importance of giving back."

"Any time you get mentioned for anything about the Roberto Clemente Award is a tremendous honor," said Hall of Famer Al Kaline, who received the honor in 1973. "Certainly after they renamed it and I was the first recipient, I was thrilled and honored."

Willie Mays won the first of these honors in 1971, when it was known as the Commissioner's Award, to recognize community service around the game. He is one of 14 Hall of Famers on the distinguished list of recipients. After 1972, the award was dedicated in Clemente's name.

Helton announced over the weekend that he is retiring at the end of this season, following a 17-year career spent entirely with Colorado. Morneau, meanwhile, is the only nominee not currently with the club he represents, as he earned the Twins honor but now plays for the Pirates.

The winner of the fan vote will receive one vote, with the rest cast by a selection panel that includes Commissioner Bud Selig; MLB Goodwill Ambassador Vera Clemente, Roberto's widow; FOX broadcasters Joe Buck and Tim McCarver; Hall of Fame Broadcaster and the "Spanish Voice of the Dodgers" Jaime Jarrin; Hall of Famer and TBS analyst Dennis Eckersley; TBS analyst Buck Martinez; MLB Network analysts and former Clemente Award winners Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds; Hall of Famer, ESPN analyst and former Roberto Clemente Award winner Barry Larkin; ESPN analyst and former Roberto Clemente Award winner Rick Sutcliffe; MLB.com senior correspondent Hal Bodley; and Chevrolet national promotions manager Mike Weidman.

Clubs playing at home on Tuesday will recognize their local nominees as part of Roberto Clemente Day ceremonies, while visiting clubs will honor their nominees at a home game before the season ends. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on bases and the official dugout lineup cards.

As part of the balloting to help decide the award, participating fans will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to this year's World Series. You can do your part to vote and register to win the 2013 Malibu and tickets to this year's World Series here.

View our inventory of the cutting edge 2013 Chevy Malibu online here, or stob by 1500 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407 for a test drive today!

Hit The Books In Style In A New Sonic!

As we begin to get prepped and ready to head back to school, we can all get a little nervous. New classes, new teachers, new lab partners and on top of that we have already began to stress about that first round of exams. In order to ease those nerves, Kelley Blue Book has just released their top 10 back-to-school picks that will make all your friends jealous of the style, comfort, fuel economy and safety of your new whip.

Each year, Kelley Blue Book rates new cars recognizing the “10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2013.” This year, our favorite 2014 Chevrolet Sonic made the list as one of the most spacious, safe and low-cost new sedans on the market! Not only did it make the list, it ranked in the top 5!

“Available as a sedan or hatchback, the sonic is a surprisingly exciting subcompact whose price starts a hair under $15,000,” KBB.com explains. “We also appreciate that the Sonic brings sensibility with its style, boasting 10 airbags for the safety-minded and impressive fuel economy that reaches 40 mpg.”

TheCollegeDriver.com also boasts about this sleek new Sonic, calling attention to it's two new limited edition colors, a chromatic plum called Deep Magenta Metallic, available August through October, and Cool Blue - a greyish, dirty blue - will be available on Sonic from November until March. Dragon Green will come to the lineup as a permanent addition to the Sonic palate the first quarter of 2014.

Check out our latest selection of Chevy Sonics here and hit the books in style this year!

History with a Mystery: CHEVROLET BOWTIE

The Chevrolet Emblem may have been inspired by a piece of wallpaper. Or maybe not

The Chevrolet bowtie—introduced by company cofounder William C. Durant in late 1913—is one of the most recognized emblems in the world today. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.

Inspired by wallpaper in a French hotel?

Durant’s version of how the logo came into existence is well-known. The long-accepted story, confirmed by Durant himself, was that it was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel.

According to The Chevrolet Story of 1961, an official company publication issued in celebration of Chevrolet’s 50th anniversary:

“It originated in Durant’s imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car.”

However, conflicting accounts have emerged, each of which is plausible enough to deepen the mystery and suggest it may never be solved. Two of the alternate origins come from within the Durant family itself.

Or was it a dinner-table sketch?

In 1929, Durant’s daughter, Margery, published a book entitled, My Father. In it, she described how Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on pieces of paper at the dinner table: “I think it was between the soup and the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used on the Chevrolet car to this day.”

Was it borrowed from a newspaper ad?

More than half a century later, another bowtie origin story was recounted in a 1986 issue of Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine, based on a 13-year-old interview with Durant’s widow, Catherine. She recalled how she and her husband were on holiday in Hot Springs, Virginia, in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design and exclaimed, “I think this would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet.” Unfortunately, at the time, Mrs. Durant didn’t clarify what the motif was or how it was used.

That nugget of information inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to search out its validity. In a November 12, 1911, edition of The Constitution newspaper, published in Atlanta, the Southern Compressed Coal Company placed an ad for “Coalettes,” a refined fuel product for fires. The Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon. Did Durant and his wife see the same ad or one that was similar–the following year a few states to the north? The newspaper edition was dated just nine days after the incorporation of the Chevrolet Motor Company.

The Swiss flag theory.

One other explanation attributes the design to a stylized version of the cross of the Swiss flag. Louis Chevrolet was born in Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel, to French parents on Christmas Day 1878.

Whichever origin is true, within a few years, the bowtie would emerge as the definitive Chevrolet logo. An October 2, 1913, edition of The Washington Post seems to be the earliest-known example of the symbol being used to advertise the brand. “Look for this nameplate” the ad proclaims above the emblem. Customers the world over have been doing so ever since.

Today’s bowtie: a gold standard.

Many variations in coloring and detail of the Chevrolet bowtie have come and gone over the decades since its introduction in late 1913, but the essential shape has never changed. In 2004, Chevrolet began to phase in the gold bowtie that today serves as the brand identity for all of its cars and trucks marketed globally.

Big Store Advantage

Because of OUR Big Store Advantage YOU get to take advantage of:

Volume Pricing
In a dealership this BIG, it's important to make sure we're constantly bringing in fresh, new inventory!  But to do that we need space - which means YOU get to take advantage of lower pricing offered, as a means for us to keep fresh inventory on the lot at all times.

Largest Inventory Selection
This one's simple.  We're a BIG STORE with LOTS OF SPACE , so we've got LOTS OF INVENTORY.  Come in today and see for yourself!

Bigger/Better Service Department
A BIG dealership equals a BIG service department.  With more certified technicians, a larger and nicer waiting area and faster turnaround times, our service team can't be beat!

Better In-Store Access to Parts
When your car needs repaired, and parts have to be ordered, you're out of a vehicle until your parts get in.  At Rick Hendrick Chevrolet we're more likely to have the parts you need - no matter ht make or model of your vehicle - right here in the store!

GM's History of Design Innovations

Automaker’s groundbreaking design department celebrates 85 years

General Motors was the first automaker to recognize and focus on the importance of automotive design, something taken for granted today. Led by Harley Earl, GM Design was created in June of 1927 to “study the question of art and color combinations in General Motors products.” Earl and his department moved the company to offer multiple colors for models, develop concept cars and, perhaps most significantly, institute yearly model changeovers. 

Standing on that kind of history, it’s no surprise that General Motors is a global leader in automotive design today, with 1,900 men and women in 10 international design centers focused on the future and creating “art that moves you,” driven by current GM Design leader and Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn.

“Our global team is united around its passion for designing vehicles that make an emotional connection with customers,” said Welburn. “What was true 85 years ago is still true today: A designer’s role is to create a beautifully executed exterior with great proportions that draw you in, and an interior that invites you into a relationship that develops and grows.”

In recent years, Cadillac and Buick have each undergone design renaissances, and Chevrolet has become a global brand with a globally recognized design language, apparent in such vehicle introductions as the Chevy Camaro sports car, the Malibu midsize sedan, and the Cruze compact car.

Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range went from concept to production in just three years, winning “North American Car of the Year” honors and co-winning the European “Car of the Year” award along the way.

“Our global structure allows us to design more new vehicles and to dedicate more people using the latest technology and tools to bring them to market,” said Welburn. “The diversity of thought, experience, culture and perspective we foster here is unrivaled, and it fuels our creative process.”

Those who make a living handing out automobile design awards have taken notice of GM’s innovations. Buick was named to the “Hottest Brands of 2010” list by the cable network MSNBC, while the new Chevy Camaro won several awards that same year, including “World Car Design of the Year” at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, “Collectible Car of the Year” from the National Automotive History Collection, Kiplinger's “Best New Sports Car” award, Ward's “Best Sports Car Interior” award, and a “Best in Design” distinction from Popular Mechanics.

In 2011, the same year the Chevrolet Volt was named “North American Car of the Year,” the Volt was also named Motor Trend “Car of the Year” and Motor Week “Driver's Choice Best of the Year.” Also in 2011, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon was named an Automobile magazine “All-Star,” an “Editors Choice Top 10 Vehicle” of the year by MSN Autos and “Most Wanted” by Edmunds Inside Line.

Most recently, the all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show as the most technologically advanced production car in the brand's history; the Buick Encore small crossover was unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit; the Chevrolet MiRay concept car won “Best Concept” in the annual Detroit News Readers' Choice Awards; and the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS compact luxury sports sedan is currently challenging the world’s best premium cars.

Additional milestones in GM’s history include pioneering the concept of “advance design” in the 1930s, making it the first company to use special studio teams to explore engineering and design possibilities. The following decade, GM became the first automaker to hire women designers.

To test drive “art that moves you,” stop by today.

GM Helps Find Jobs for Military Veterans

GM’s $250,000 donation to Hiring our Heroes program will fund nationwide job fairs

General Motors is committed to helping the nation’s returning veterans find meaningful employment. GM and the GM Foundation recently made a contribution of $250,000 to the Hiring our Heroes program, run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation. The program is a national effort to help both returning veterans and their spouses find jobs, as many of these individuals had to put their careers on hold due to long separations and overseas military deployments.

 

The $250,000 given by GM will help fund at least 20 job fairs for veterans around the country; at these fairs, GM, a GM supplier and a GM dealer will act as sponsoring hosts.

 

“The best way to thank the men and women who volunteered to serve our country is with a good job when they return home,” stated GM Chief Diversity Officer Kenneth J. Barrett, a retired Navy captain.

 

“Between this gift and the combined efforts of our GM family, we hope to help more veterans jump-start their new careers in the civilian world,” Barrett continued. “Veterans bring discipline, a work ethic and skills to employers unique to their military training, so hiring them isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.”

 

Hiring our Heroes was launched in March of 2011; since then, the program has helped more than 9,500 veterans and spouses find jobs, according to the National Chamber Foundation. The Foundation is on track with various partner agencies to host 400 hiring fairs this year and is working to get the business community to commit to hire 500,000 veterans by the end of 2014.

 

Numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the May unemployment rate among veterans who have served since 2001 was 12.7 percent, significantly higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.2 percent.

 

“As the auto industry continues its own recovery, we hope to help identify as many jobs as possible within the GM family – including suppliers and dealers – for qualified veterans,” Barrett said. “At GM, we have nearly 5,000 veterans in our workforce today and 45,000 more who are retirees.”

 

David M. Warner, a Marine Corp veteran, is a perfect example of how valuable these job fairs are. Warner attended a job fair for veterans in Livonia, Michigan; soon after, he began working at the GM Fairfax (Kansas) Assembly as a material group leader in the plant that constructs the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse.

 

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” said Warner. “Many of my fellow Marines are seeking work, and I hope their search goes as well as mine did.”

 

Another benefit of the Hiring our Heroes program is how employed veterans can relate to those still seeking jobs. “Because military men and women are trained to not brag about personal accomplishments, they sometimes need coaching to sell themselves in the civilian world,” stated Ryan Church, an assistant program engineering manager for the Chevrolet Equinox. Church is also a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. “Veterans can identify when they see and talk to ’one of their own’ on the other side of the table at these job fairs.”

 

GM is also involved in helping veterans find employment through the GM Talent Acquisition; weekly updates on salaried job openings are sent to state employment agencies, veterans’ groups and outplacement firms.  Additionally, the GM Careers website features a “Veterans” section on the home page that links to the company’s recruiting calendar. As a corporate participant in the Army Pays program, GM ensures that all service member participants will receive a job interview when they apply for a position.

 

With so many veterans currently struggling with unemployment and many more expected to leave the service in upcoming years, it’s imperative that businesses help these heroes move on with their lives and give them opportunities to provide for their families. GM’s contribution to the Hiring our Heroes program is a significant step in the right direction.

Cover The World Global Music Challenge

Choose a Song. Upload Your Own. Then Watch & Win.
 MTV Iggy is throwing a massive party to mark the U.S. debut of Chevy Spark. After earning rave reviews from Asia to Africa, South America to Europe, Spark is celebrating with MTV Iggy by bringing you a global music showcase featuring some of the hottest emerging artists that the world has to offer.

Cover the World pairs four global artists with iconic music. The four artists, which include All Time Low, Gyptian, The Wonder Girls and Angus Stone, will cover the iconic song that receives the most votes and then create their own one-of-a-kind rendition. It’s up to music fans to vote on their favorite global artist cover. By voting, you’ll be entered to win a custom-wrapped Chevy Spark, plus a trip to see that artist play live.

Want to really get in the driver seat? You can also cover the song yourself then upload it to covertheworld.com and get voted into the top 10 to be reviewed by a panel of judges for a chance to win a Spark and be featured on the MTV Iggy website.

Iconic songs, hot global artists, your chance to become a star AND drive away with the Chevy Spark that’s been built and loved around the world. It’s the kind of action you want to make sure you don’t miss out on. Get all the details on the songs, artists and how you can get involved at covertheworld.com.

Check out the Video Clip!

5 Best Car Chases on Film

(From: Classic Film & TV Cafe)

I admit I’ve undertaken an impossible task—trying to sift through dozens of terrific celluloid car chases to come up with the five all-time best. I have no doubt that some readers will take offense that some splendid car chases were omitted. And I know for a fact that my rankings will generate controversy. But differences of opinion are what make movie blog discussions fun…so bring them on! To narrow my scope a little, I’ve included only car chases from action films—no comedies this time out (and I apologize to fans of movies like W. C. Fields’ The Bank Dick and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World).


#1  The Seven-Ups (1973)

Philip D’Antoni¸ who produced Bullitt (1968) and The French Connection (1971), obviously knew a little something about car chases. The Seven-Ups is the only film he directed and its set piece is a New York City high-speed “duel” between a Pontiac Ventura Sprint coupe (driven by good guy Roy Scheider) and a Pontiac Grand Ville (the bad guys). Like Gene Hackman in The French Connection, Scheider does a great job of acting during the scene, pounding on the dashboard and swearing to himself. It’s a thrilling chase, but what sets it apart is the climax devised by stunt man extraordinaire Bill Hickman. Scheider’s car skids under an 18-wheel truck, peeling off the top of the car…but leaving the driver (who ducks down on cue) unscathed.

#2 Bullitt (1968)

In 9 minutes and 42 seconds, Bullitt redefined the car chase forever. It can certainly stake its claim as the most influential car chase and I suspect it ranks No. 1 on most lists. The San Francisco locale can’t be beat—helping to create iconic shots of the cars flying over the hills and careening around the tight curves. Director Peter Yates heightens the action with point-of-view and overhead shots. My quibbles are minor: (1) Steve McQueen’s famous Mustang and the villains’ Dodge Charger are both dark colors, making it hard to differentiate them from other cars during some of the quick cuts; (2) McQueen is the epitome of cool, so the scene isn’t quite as frantic as the ones in The Seven-Ups and The French Connection.  By the way, Bill Hickman drove the Charger.

#3 The French Connection (1971)

William Friedkin’s Oscar-winning film featured a chase between a Pontiac LeMans commandeered by Gene Hackman’s police detective and an elevated train containing the baddies. Hackman accents the tenseness of the scene perfectly, pounding on the horn and yelling at pedestrians as he speeds through the streets of Brooklyn, often against oncoming traffic. Friedkin makes terrific use of tracking shots, sometimes showing Hackman zooming underneath the elevated train in a single frame. In addition to reuniting producer D’Antoni and stunt driver Hickman from Bullitt, The French Connection co-starred Roy Scheider and Tony Lo Bianco who would later appear in The Seven-Ups.

#4 To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Friedkin returned to the car chase with a revved-up sequence in this tale of unethical Treasury agents out to nab big-time counterfeiters at any cost. A young William Petersen played the federal agent who is pursued through Los Angeles. After a gripping chase through parked trucks and tight streets, Petersen finds himself surrounded on all sides but one…which leads down a one-way street.  He shoots down the highway against oncoming traffic, resulting in a harrowing scene that momentarily tops a similar one in The French Connection.

#5 Ronin (1998)

John Frankenheimer (who directed The French Connection II…interesting how all these films connect in different ways) features a couple of car chases in this espionage thriller. The most famous one, though, pits a BMW 5 Series against a Peugeot 306 as they whisk through the narrow streets of Paris. The scene’s highlights are a nail-biting tunnel sequence and another pursuit down a one-way street.Honorable mentions:  The original Gone in 60 Seconds, Goldfinger (for its gadget-laden Aston-Martin), The Road Warrior, The Italian Job (1969), Vanishing Point, the Bourne movies, and Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry.Differing opinions about my rankings and omissions are welcomed!